Help needed with setting timing!

[AndycUK]

Hi all,
Just had to pull out the engine on my b6 s4 due to the accessory plate power steering spline drive rounding out giving me no power steering, anyone had this?
The car also had cold and warm start rattle sometimes so I decided to replace all guides, tensioners and service the cam adjusters with the JHM bits.
While out I have also replaced the oil check valves and valley gasket as it is so easy to do at this stage.


I have followed the Audi workshop manual to the dot for re setting the timing with all the correct tools, and torqued bolts to proper settings but when I have finished and I rotate the engine to check that the cam tools fit back in I am about 1-2 degrees out?

I can not figure out why it is out?, am I missing something? or does this sometimes happen and I just need to do it again?
I have timed various engines over the years but never a V and now feel a bit lost

Anyway decided to walk away from it for a while as I feel like I am going nuts.
I will try again when the new cam bolts arrive but just thought I would ask to see if I am missing something stupid?

Thanks Andy

[jakeoboy67]

when you tightened the cam bolts on the adjusters , did you tension the chains properly with the wedge shaped tools ?

when you're rotating the engine to verify the timing marks, is the chain tensioned by the wedges or just pushed on by the tensioner's internal springs ?

[xhackerekx]

when you tightened the cam bolts on the adjusters , did you tension the chains properly with the wedge shaped tools ?

when you're rotating the engine to verify the timing marks, is the chain tensioned by the wedges or just pushed on by the tensioner's internal springs ?

^this and make sure cylinder #8 on tdc also mechanical adjuster in closed position .

[AndycUK]

Thanks for your reply,
Yes I tensioned the chains with the wedge tools. I pulled the pin and then inserted the wedge between the back of the guide and the adjuster to keep it tight.
Yes when I rotated the engine I kept the wedges in.
The left chain feels to tight to me and the crank chain feels too slack between the pulleys.

[AndycUK]

Thanks,
Yes I made sure that both adjusters were locked and I think cylinder 8 should be at tdc as everything is as it was before removal eg I have not rotated anything.

[jakeoboy67]

so you're putting in the cam locators to double check that the timing is right and now the crankshaft lock "pin" wont align with its hole perfectly ?

[AndycUK]

no both cam locators wont slide in at the same time. The right side is perfectly timed to the crank but the left side is out so the cam locator wont slide in. Its not much but its out.

I think I will redo this when the new bolts arrive. Perhaps I was tired and over looked something...

[JimmyBones]

I have seen where the power steering or AC compressor damages the gear drive unit. It can happen on these B6/7 S4s, B7 RS4s, Q7 4.2 FSIs, the 5.2 FSI V10s, and any other Audi engine setup like these B6/7 S4s.

Are you leaving the camshaft locator bars in when you tighten the camshaft bolts? I think that the instructions may tell you to remove the camshaft locator bars. They are afraid that the camshaft locator bars will go flying out. On a S4 with stock cylinder heads it helps to use locking pliers on a non-contact portion of the cams to also hold the cams in place so the locator bars don't go flying. My S4 has the JHM rebuilt cylinder heads with stronger valve springs so the locking pliers were not needed.

Otherwise it sounds like you are doing things right. Like rotating the crank back, using the wedges to put tension on the chains, and then rotating the crank back into place.

By the way, I have reused the cam bolts after fully torquing them. Like if the timing was off and I had to go back and redo it. Not officially recommended but I have done it with luck in the past.

[AndycUK]

Ok thanks for this, yes I have been removing the cam locators for final tighten. I will leave them in next time and use locking pliers as you suggest.
As for the bolts I think I will just use new ones. It's such a PITA waiting for them and so tempting to reuse them but it's a hard enough job convincing the wife to keep this car without it going bad again and having to pull it all out again!

I was surprised to find that the power steering spline rounded out. Good to hear it's not just mine although not so good for the other owners!

Thanks again