05 A6 3.2 timing issue question

[id04265]

so when I pulled the passenger side timing cover I found the intake cam gear bolt had come loose which of course impacted timing... additionally all the exhaust rocker arms where no longer in place but laying along side each valve.
I had an Audi tech explain that the only way rocker arms can some off is if valve is bent (was thinking it was more related to cam being out of position). I was also told the valve springs don't have enough strength to hold the valve closed on their own ( I thought that was the job of the spring??) ... so now I am believing I need to pull the head and replace all exhaust valves ???
any advice would be appreciated....

thanks

Doug

[FormulaElement]

Sounds right, but thats messed up that the cam gear bolt came loose. If the bolt came loose you will definitely have valve damage. Although i have seen weirder things happen and no valve damage caused. I would have a independent mechanic use a boroscope or something of such to look at the valve and see the shape they are in. Definitely don't try to fix the engine if there's a lot of scoring.

The tech might be correct, it varies from engine to engine, but most engines require pressure along with the valve spring to close the valve fast enough to not cause piston interface. Really though I have no clue about the valve springs though. The rocker arm will most definitely be off due to the intake cam gear bolt being loose.

Maybe try to find a used engine instead of spending a lot of time and money to fix the valve damage?