How To Replace Broken Audi Cam Chain and Tensioner

The cam chain on my Audi broke while driving and destroyed the chain tensioner. I bore-scoped the pistons and valves to make sure they were not damaged when the chain snapped, it is an interference head and I got lucky. I watched a video on this repair process, but the comments were very negative. Most of them were directed toward the procedure used and the use of RTV. I used the same method, which is not the procedure in the manual. I explain why I do stuff this way and I try to correct some of I thought was wrong with the video I watched. The car is driving great and my fuel mileage has increased.

[@shawnd567]

Just pull the cam adjuster. You need a special M10 polydrive to remove it. If it breaks or something, then you can pull the cam cradle or drill it out through the firewall where the battery sits.

[@genehanson573]

Great video and detail through the whole process, best video I have found as most others do not cover the details ,chain timing etc. I have a BWT 2.0TFSI which looks to be identical, its in a 2008 S-line about 134K mileage. Every once in a while at cold start up I can hear the chatter so it is getting near time to do this. I was pretty hesitant because of the poly drive bolt issues, had a shop do my wifes car and they stripped out the bolt costing us an additional sum of money for a new camshaft, go figure as this was a supposed German Performance shop. Thank you for sharing this version of chain/ tensioner replacement with removing the intake cam and cam tray.

[@JohnSmith-fb2np]

Ok. I agree with the other commenters. Good video. My only unqualified gripe is you started partway through the job. BUT you explained in great detail what you did and why. So thanks for that. We have the engine out and are doing more than just the rear timing. But the rear timing is Givin us a butt whooping. So your suggestion on pulling the camshaft makes since. My Audi friend says those bolts break as often as they come off. Thanks again for a concise non yacky video.

[@codycarlbeckstrom5813]

Excellent video ! Very informative and well detailed, 10’s across, not excited about doing this job but your video made it a lot less intimidating 😎🤙🏼

[@DIYJunkie369]

Yeah, not sure what I'll do if this chain breaks again while I own the car. Hopefully I can run it until 300,000 miles, already over 230,000 now.

[@avpgraphicswraps3894]

I have a 07 passet, with this same motor...my chain broke and the tentioner broke....good video man...I'm gonna try to do mine in a couple days.....🙏

[@derekross3715]

Did you try yet?

[@Rol1Co]

By far the best video about this job.

[@sterlingwitherspoon5709]

It's really not.

[@Rol1Co]

@@sterlingwitherspoon5709 It is, by far easier to take the cams out for loosen the bolts, put the front in service position and replace the timing belt and camshaft seal also.

[@mark.r8900]

Hi, you took out the intake camshaft after setting the TDC position. When you put back the intake camshaft how do you know which position to set it at? Great tutorial. Thanks

[@ivanvega2821]

Great video! I have a 2007 Passat wagon with this exact engine. Currently u have a crank no start condition. I have cranked the vehicle and visually see that both exhaust and intake cam rotate. The timing belt looks fine and seems to be on right. I have 0 compression on 3 of the 4 cylinders and cylinder #5 has 150psi but slowly looses the pressure. What would you suggest on doing as far as diagnosing the no compression issue?

[@kwamew.7996]

Can you post the link to the video that you were referring to? Thanks

[@happylucas3033]

Good work. But I think you have problem because in the end when the rpm drops off to "normal" you can clearly hear the rattle noise from the chain. This should not sound like this. I have the same problem and changed everything, it does not rattle as yours.

[@mark.r8900]

Hi there's a little bracket with some ground wires. Does that go on one the the legs of the vacuum pump? Thanks

[@DIYJunkie369]

Yes, lower part of the vacuum pump, passenger side.

[@drakeeads8878]

Ive been having a misfire issue ive been chasing for months. Hopefully you have some insight. 06 a4 2.0 it didnt run when i bought it. Ive replaced the oil filter housing, upper radiator hose, evap purge, pcv valve, pcv breather hose, turbosmart bov, valve cover gasket, oe sparkplugs and coils, timing belt, water pump, drive belt, oil pressure sensor, intake manifold gasket, just did carbon clean (was completely caked in carbon 167k miles appeared to never been done) ecs tuning cold air intake and milltek exhaust. The car runs almost perfect all except for this haunting stutter i cant seem to figure out. I thought forsure it was either the timing or the carbon. I know my tensioner is bad you can hear the chain slapping and i think it broke and fell down into the oil pickup tube. When you cold stat the car you can hear the oil filter sounding like its empty for a second before filling up but then once you drive for awhile and the oil is hot it doesnt do it anymore. Could this be the cause for all my stuttering issues, a few months ago it shut the car off on me twice ( why i replaced oil pressure sensor ) i paid audi to get no answers PLEASE HELPPPP!

[@drakeeads8878]

157k*

[@joeryverhage459]

Fa*k man i think i have the same, give me your insta or something bro i’m trying to find it too, i think it is the cam chain. Or alighn your car. Is it stuttering when you throttle?

[@mark.r8900]

Hi, when you lined up the exhaust cam at 11:15 how did you know if you're at TDC? Excellent tutorial. Thanks.

[@DIYJunkie369]

There are marks on the main crank pulley for timing the engine with a light. I placed it at the 0 degree mark. Also screw driver down the spark plug hole trick can work too. I probably verified with this method, because I can be paranoid about trusting the pulley markings.

[@KimLensing]

The timingchain cover does use a gasket!

[@todor92]

Is this 2.0 tfsi (BGB engine) ? It comes with: in front with 2 belts - V-ribbed belt & Timing belt and at the back of the engine with Timing chain ?? correct?

[@DIYJunkie369]

BWT engine, a Serpentine Belt (V -ribbed, accessory, belt) and a Timing Belt up front. In the back is the Timing Chain.

[@duanetaylor2626]

Hello, I just got a 2008 A4 2.0T Quattro crank no start and was wondering if a broken timing chain is something I need to worry about? I just got it for cheap and have only out in a crank sensor so far. Let me know of your thoughts. Thanks

[@DIYJunkie369]

You can use a light to see the intake cam shaft where you add oil. If someone cranks the car and that isn't turning, then it is either this timing chain or the timing belt up front. Next easiest thing would be to check the timing belt by removing the cover I am installing at the 53 minute mark. If that cam is turning, then neither of those are broken. In that case it could be a a fuel or spark issue.

[@5Seazons]

Which cam does the gold link line up with intake or exhaust?

[@DIYJunkie369]

The gold link lines up with the timing mark on the exhaust cam sprocket.

[@computergeek673]

What gloves did you wear? They look high quality

[@DIYJunkie369]

Venom Steel Nitrile Rip Resistant gloves, I have seen them at some part stores and Wal-Mart. They cost a bit more, but I don't seem to rip through them as often and common chemicals seem to degrade them less.

[@DavidRigg-jj7zx]

My wife had exactly same problem at a stop sign. Chain broke. I see you didn’t change the valves. The exhaust cam was still turning which may cause the valves to bend on the one side, no? Just looking for an opinion before I put everything back together without changing the valves. I also set up the locking plate in the spot on the cams you mentioned. I then put the timing chain back on but cannot figure out how to get the 17 to 18th link to line up. I can only get 12th and 13th link. To line up. Help

[@DIYJunkie369]

It can bend the valves. I have gotten lucky twice. My friend with a Buick Park Avenue was not so lucky. Mechanic was actually able to crank his car until it started a ran for a couple seconds on one cylinder. He need a lot of valve work. A compression test might point to if the valves are bent. With the cams out, nothing should be holding valves open. Other way would be to pull the intake off and see if the valves are able to close all the way. A bent valve stem will stop the valve from closing. Not sure what is going on with the timing chain. The only thing I can come up with is the chain is flipped over or a cam isn't in the right position.

[@enrriduarte5274]

How u put back on the right place the intake cam

[@DIYJunkie369]

There is a mark on the back of the intake cam, 13:25. That tooth goes between pins 18 and 19 from the gold link. Do not count the pins in the gold link.

[@tommyblarck5292]

Thanks, I have the same problem, no broken valves?

[@DIYJunkie369]

I was really lucky, hope you are too.

[@tommyblarck5292]

@@DIYJunkie369 no broken valves!

[@danielduncan9959]

Did it no bend valves

[@DIYJunkie369]

Luckily I had not.

[@Tahimate]

the counting of 18/19 links; is that the piece of the chain that connect the top or the bottom?

[@DIYJunkie369]

I am counting the actual pins, not the links. The tooth with the mark on the intake cam will go between pins 18 and 19. Do not count the pin in the gold link.

[@Tahimate]

@@DIYJunkie369 Got it, pins not links. So after the chain is installed and you look at it from the driver's side, is the counting of the pins clockwise or anti-clockwise to the 18/19 ?

[@DIYJunkie369]

Standing in front of the car looking toward the rear, count clockwise.

[@PeppersOnChili]

How did that not bend any valves? 😲

[@DIYJunkie369]

It must of been luck. Only had to worry about bending intake valves since the timing belt didn't break and it must have been nearly closed or close enough that the spring pressure cause the cam to rotate so all valves could close. RPM might of played a role, wife was sitting at stop light. Also broke the timing belt in my Xterra and managed not to bend any valves. I was driving through my neighborhood at low speeds when that happened, so low RPMs again. Both vehicles are suppose to have interference heads.

[@Tahimate]

I had a broken timing chain on my 2006 B6 Passat FSi. I did not have any bent valves.

[@quincystarcruiser4148]

Ya when the chain breaks the intake cam is free to move. Tension from the valve springs will push back against the cam lobes slightly rotating the cam till spring tension is relieved. It’s so much worse breaking the timing belt.

[@KingZoneOne]

The exhaust cam is connected to the timing belt in the front. If that belt breaks the valves will be bent. The intake cam spins free if the chain in the rear breaks, and the pressure from the valve springs is then greater than the free-spinning cam.

[@shawnd567]

​@@DIYJunkie369Amazing! I just snapped a timing belt on an A4 B7. Bent the valves in cylinder 1&2 before the cams stopped. Just got it put back together. What a PITA.

[@cnscm2614]

One this this guy doesn't tell you is how hard it is to put the cam support plate back on there. Notice he did not show that step in the video. If you going to show people how to do something you have to talk about the cons too. I do not advice to follow this guy video.

[@quincystarcruiser4148]

Anaerobic sealant is what you want. Id agree to not do it this way either. I’d at least try breaking the poly bolt free first and if it strips then remove the cam cradle slip the timing belt off and pull the exhaust cam. You never have to remove the head for this job.

[@sterlingwitherspoon5709]

Exactly. Most people don't show because they are not true mechanics and they have a hard damn time doing the job themselves so they rather show the easy stuff to give themselves some kind of glory.

[@KingZoneOne]

@@quincystarcruiser4148 When doing it this way, you NEVER want to move the exhaust cam. You simply tilt the intake cam inward toward the exhaust cam to get the chain off. The exhaust cam is connected to the timing belt in the front of the motor If you disrupt it you'll throw it off actual TDC.

[@DaChiefn1]

SO What tool do I use to ATTEMPT to take off the exhaust cam sprocket?.. my chain did not break but the tensioner was in pieces when I took off the cover

[@DaChiefn1]

Is it a t50?

[@simeonnk6444]

@@DaChiefn1 it's a t55

[@jake-de8kp]

T60

[@Damien_JH]

If your talking about the bit I’m thinking you are then it’s a special tool t40080 it’s similar to a torx bit but it’s not !! Don’t try and use a torn the special tool needed has squared edges you’ll just strip it otherwise and will end up having to do it like this guy did also you need cam locking plate and when buying this plate and special tool don’t go cheap you’ll regret it

[@Eman7335]

It’s a 10mm poly drive

[@michaelray316]

😜🤣😂

[@danielduncan9959]

Did it no bend valves

[@DIYJunkie369]

I got lucky and had no bent valves, same in a Nissan Xterra.

[@BabyCharlotteschannel]

Thats funny cause i have a super clean looking '07 Fahrenheit 2.0t fsi gti lined up that the timing chain on the driver's side broke letting the intake cam stop and engine stall. Was only cranked over 1 time afterwards making sure it wasnt seized but i think there's very little to no chance of some of the intake valves not being bent.. Anyway, im hoping that there are only a few valves bent, kinda wondering if i should just buy a decent used or re-man cyl head if and when i buy the car.. and boy do i REALLY wanna get it too, its freaking GORGEOUS!!