Quick valvetrain question?

**hobbes213** · 01-16-2009 05:34 PM

Hey, this is my first post to the forums, but I have got say you guys have been wicked helpful with all of the DIY's and info for my B6, so thanks!

My question is, i just finished replacing my timing belt and stuff and the engine fires up fine, but I'm noticing a weird clicking noise coming from inbetween the closest two cylinders to the firewall.... now I'm wondering if maybe I'm a tooth off? Or is this typical of the valvetrain? I have no codes, and the computer seems to be fine with everything, but I'm afraid to take it down and drive if i'm just going to need to take it all apart again... Thanks!

BTW - I have a 1.8t quattro 5 speed

**dirtybrd** · 01-16-2009 05:51 PM

Just rotate the engine until TDC and the lower crank pulley is on it's mark on the timing cover. Then remove the upper timing cover to verify it's in time.

**hobbes213** · 01-17-2009 12:08 PM

Thanks - I checked and had my roommate check (he's pissed cuz he had been using my car while he rebuilds the engine on his 3 series lol) and everything lines up... maybe I just never noticed this sound before and i'm just paranoid that my pistons and valves are kissing lol...

**hobbes213** · 01-17-2009 03:30 PM

Not so quick question now.... the timing is completely fine, all lined up and great. But this clicking is still there; and I noticed a shimmy on the cam pulley. Are these related?

**AudiA4_20T** · 01-17-2009 03:32 PM

a shimmy? If your timing was off a tooth you would throw a code, and if it were 2 teeth off you would have bent valves

**hobbes213** · 01-17-2009 03:52 PM

yeah, that what i figured - by shimmy I mean the cam pulley is not rotating straight, like it's wobbling back and forth.... which is kind of a concern. I cant tell if it's just the pully, or if the camshaft itself is causing the wobble.

**dirtybrd** · 01-17-2009 06:45 PM

Can you post a video of it?

**hobbes213** · 01-18-2009 12:55 PM

yeah, i just put it up on youtube, check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otYEo1sHt3s

This was taken right at start up with the engine cold, so around 1100 rpms.

You can def. tell that the gear is all over the place. I ordered a new one, but like I said, I'm not sure if that is the problem, or if something back along the cam is messed up.

The rattling / clicking is what drew my attention to this, and it is in time with the cam, so going about half as fast as the engine.

**dirtybrd** · 01-18-2009 01:19 PM

That's nothing to be conserned about.

**hobbes213** · 01-18-2009 01:29 PM

thanks dirtybrd, i appreciate it. this was my first project that actually involved some real engine work on this car, so i wasnt sure if what i was looking at was actually right or not. thanks for the help.