So... got the car on the ramp and cracked on with the next job... replacement (secondhand) VVT tensioner and ADR cams...
After removing (what seemed loads) of stuff I got to the cams and turned this...
...into this...
...by removing this lot...
Then my favourite job... sorting the belt tensioner damper... inserted the pin ready for when the damper has been reset using a special tool (aren't they all...)
...prepped the tool... (loads of space... NOT!...)
...after a bit of winding the pin popped in...
Coated the cams in build lube, set the cams to the normal 16 rollers on the chain and fitted them in with the replacement VVT... I used a new tensioner gasket set...
...and I use a little VAG sump sealant to help the half moon seal... this helps to prevent potential future leaks...
Before fitting the cam cover gasket you also need to add a little sealant into the transition from the flat part of the head to the grooved parts of the front cam cap and chain tensioner
...I also add a little sealant to the half moon recess for the cam cover gasket
I reused the belt as its only done 5000 miles and after a fun 5 mins getting that back on I was more or less done...
I did take my time doing this job and gave the followers a chance to settle as they can jack up from removing the cams but simply leaving them a little while and they settle back down nicely... not really an issue when doing the head on the bench (as has been the case for mine in the past) but worth noting...
Started the engine and all was good... idle was fine, no fault codes (correlation fault code being the typical one if you manage to get the belt a tooth out which is easy to do...)...
Went the drive the car out of the workshop and noticed a little rattle coming on/off load as I reversed out... ****!!!.... my fears were realised after I had left the car outside while clearing up and cold started her... BRRRRAAAAT!!!!... the noise of a VVT in its death throes... ******... not having much luck with VVT tensioners
So, TPS will get a call in the morning and a new one will be fitted... do it once, do it right... *sigh*
Hopefully get that on tomorrow if TPS has one in stock and hopefully get the car on the dyno for a couple of runs to see if the ADR cams have made any difference..
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