2.5tdi severe camshaft wear

**POLOACE** · 11-02-2009,02:58 PM

8,000 miles on she is still running sweet :-) Had the vicous fan eat the radiator, ( I probably stood on it when it was in the garage in bits!)

I will have to post up pictures of the build.

**gazza57** · 12-02-2009,08:39 AM

As I recall, there was an issue with A6 2.5Tdi camshafts, I recall somebody on this forum commenting that they appear to be made from old coathangers!
It might be worth checking if the replacement cams are sufficiently hard enough to prevent this occurring again. I suspect it's another one of those design faults for which nobody wishes to take responsibility.
One would hope that the replacement cams have been manufactured with correct specification steel this time good luck with it anyway
Gazza57

**Crasher** · 12-02-2009,10:57 AM

It is not a design fault; the fault is with the stupid servicing intervals. Use PD suitable oil and change it annually or every 10k and there isn’t a problem, change it every two years or so and around 25k miles and it is no surprise that the cams wear out.

**djl78** · 12-02-2009,11:10 AM

Originally Posted by Crasher

It is not a design fault; the fault is with the stupid servicing intervals. Use PD suitable oil and change it annually or every 10k and there isn’t a problem, change it every two years or so and around 25k miles and it is no surprise that the cams wear out.

Crasher,
I assume it's ok to use PD spec oil,even though the 2.5 Tdi isn't a PD,because it surpasses the spec required by that engine (i.e 507 00)?
djl

**Crasher** · 12-02-2009,11:59 AM

Yes, that’s OK, I use Longlife 3 and change it every 10k.

**zorgman** · 14-10-2009,04:21 PM

how do you get the right hand head off (looking at engine) cant get the nuts off manifold so im stuck, only way i can see is to take engine out or is their a trick to doing it as im totaly stuck and wish i never bought car

**Crasher** · 14-10-2009,05:14 PM

I what way will they not come off, are they rounded off or are you finding access difficult?

**zorgman** · 14-10-2009,05:39 PM

hi crasher.
i ts access to the manifold cant get at them and then if i do its studs so cant pull manifold off.
had a read about and seemingly if you take off the triangle plate bolts/nuts it should lift off is this correct as im at my wits end with it now feel like putting a match to car

**Crasher** · 14-10-2009,08:43 PM

When I have done them I have had to take the back link pipes off first. I have done a few new heads on these and I do not enjoy the job at all, they are extremely awkward to get the heads off in situ but it certainly can be done. I have one coming in to have new cams in a few weeks and I am dreading it having valve top wear as it means taking the heads off and I do not like doing them.

**POLOACE** · 14-10-2009,10:49 PM

As chrasher mentioned, I am pretty sure when I did mine I removed the Cat so I could undo/loosed the link exhaust pipe that goes into the turbo cast manifold junction, as they space was very tight. I then lifted the head off. I found removing some of the water pipes difficult. I also took the turbo off but by that stage I knew it was damaged. My engine was in a bad way, so It all had to come out. When I refitted I built up all the exhaust and tubo and dropped it all in. Siome pictures below for reference. I bough my car cheap an non running with told it needed new cams. So I first fitted new cams and a new oil pump and oil water cooler, I woudl not skimp on this as I found significant wear and debris in my engine from teh cams. However the main reason it was a non runner was a half a valve was broken. I restarted the engine with the new cams ( never took the heads off) and with in 5-10mins of running with lots of smoke the engine siezed I knew there was something else major wrong! As you can see from the pictures below the broken valve had badly damaged one piston then I think debris got caught up causing the engine to sieze and then broke valves in the other banK! I then rebuilt a engine that just had mild camshaft wear, the oil pump on that engine was much better but there was still scoring on the main bearings! I did a rebuild. Its now done 25K since the rebuild and it runs really well.

Don't forget to get the alignment tools for refitting the cambelt as there is alot of stretch in the belt.

http://cid-6f035629d7b75f6e.skydrive...20rebuild?uc=3