Cam Follower R&R Experience

[rennwerkes]

Finally got around to changing out my cam follower today and just wanted to point out some issues that I ran into.
On my 2005.5 model, I had to take off the banjo bolt first so that I could have a tiny bit more play to get at the other fitting on the fuel line.
I STRONGLY suggest you hold the banjo bolt with a strong magnetic pick up tool to prevent it from falling into the abyss!
Also, make sure you're removing the right fuel fitting. I started to move the adapter itself before realizing it was the wrong part. I was tired!
If your cam lobe is at the "top" pushing on the fuel pump plunger once you wiggle the fuel pump loose it'll more or less pop out.
When you reassemble you'll need to carefully compress the fuel pump and tighten up the torx bolt a little at a time.
The fuel pump o-ring was hard and flattened so always good to change that out. The new Audi one was bluish green in color.
Here's a pic of the old follower. 58k

[shahk62]

Eurgh. That banjo bolt lol. I taped it to my torx bit .. But taped it that little bit too well it didn't come off easy .

But damn dude. Nice timing on the replacement. Completely lost the coating!


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[rennwerkes]

Eurgh. That banjo bolt lol. I taped it to my torx bit .. But taped it that little bit too well it didn't come off easy .

But damn dude. Nice timing on the replacement. Completely lost the coating!


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I'm amazed that failure is possible with so few miles.
Like others have said, I'm going to R&R every 20-30k.
Also going to have new banjo bolt next time and the three torx bolts on fuel pump.

[CVT]

I replaced mine for the first time after 125,000 km. It looked almost the same as this one. I guess failure really depends on luck!

[Schweini]

I replaced mine for the first time after 125,000 km. It looked almost the same as this one. I guess failure really depends on luck!

Not so much luck. A lot of guys who had theirs fail have upgraded HPFPs

[Brillo]

I'm not surprised by the highly variable nature of wear on the follower. My guess is that it depends on a number of factors, and I'll just list a few of the top of my head. 1.) As Schweini stated above the those with the upgraded HPFP are putting at least 30% more force between the cam and follower. That could result in a much greater than 30% wear difference due to the vagaries of hydrodynamic (fluid film) lubrication. 2.) Oil change interval and type of oil could be a factor, although I suspect a small one. 3.) The way the car is driven is likely a big variable. Keep in mind that the pump is activated 1.5 times per revolution of the crank. If you normally drive higher in the RPM range you are putting a lot more cycles on the cam follower that someone that drives like an old lady or someone who short shifts. 4.) Other things that come to mind are trip length, cooling system health, climate you drive in, tracking the car, etc. I'm sure you can think of other factors.

[Schweini]

Im a strong advocate on making sure your oil is always topped up. I've posted this a few years ago, that I completely neglected making sure my oil was topped, and I had a brand new follower almost wear right through in ONLY 3k KMs. Given the location of the pump ( being higher up) I feel this is a big factor

Like you said, other factors are definitely involved, and I feel they all work in conjunction making our Cam follower lives miserable

[Theiceman]

im very curious about doing mine. The car i just bought has 155K on it and the guy i bought it off was not exactly a preventative maintenance disciple. i'm not even convinced he ever changed the oil while he owned it ( windshiled sticker showed 217 K ( kilometers ) and i bought it 255 ) . So going to be very interesting.

interestingly my friend just picked up a 2007 with about 255K on it also so we are going to do them together once the weather gets nicer. Should be an interesting study.