KingHamer

Yeah I figured that.. What do I need to do to get the timing back in place..?

KingHamer

I did mark the cam sprockets with sharpie and mark the camshaft back plastic cover, so I should be able to just rotate them to realign back to where they were, then take off the sprocket so that the wings line up and then reinstall the sprockets and the belt, rotate it over and it should be good.. correct?

SloopJohnB@mac.com

Without knowing what's the real issue, I would probably remove all the camshafts (allow the valves to close), put the crank to TDC (#5 if a V8, the appropriate piston if a V6) and pin it with the tool, then reinstall the camshafts to the proper timing. The sprockets don't need to be removed, just loosened on their respective taper.

Then redo the timing job with the camshaft lock bar.

SloopJohnB@mac.com

Nope. You've already turned the crankshaft against something so who knows where you are, timing-wise.

KingHamer

I think I'm okay. Today I got the drivers side camshaft into place, and got the crank to TDC. Then I got the passenger crank to line up and got the locking bar into place, rotated everything with the timing belt on about 15 rotations for good measure. I got everything back on except the bipipes and diverter valves. Tomorrow ill put them on and start the car...

If my timing is off, is it okay to start the car? Or will it all just blow up..

SloopJohnB@mac.com

No. If your timing is off pistons will bend valves.

However, since you've rotated the crank that many times without problems it's likely you're ok.
You might want to run a compression test before you start it. No compression on one or more cylinders is an indication of bent valves. Then you'd have to borescope it or pull the heads to find the bent one(s) (I'd scope the cylinder with no compression).

KingHamer

After I put everything back together, I started it up, sounded great! In fact my misfire from before went away..? Must have just been an uncleared code as I cleared the codes before I started it.

But I still have an extreme coolant leak, looks like its coming from the thermostat, leaks out when I add water to the reservoir, not even when its started.... I'm gonna take it apart today and look into it.

KingHamer

I figured it out, the plastic thermostat housing is cracked! I didn't see it when I took it apart before..

New question: I plan to just buy an upgraded aluminum housing from the pre 2001. Any recommendations on where to get one? I was thinking here: Thermostat Housing, Aluminum (OEM) for 2.7T, 2.8L - JH Motorsports Inc. - -- JHM. Shifting you to

Question is, this is for the S4/RS4. Will this fit on my A6? Looks the same.. but looks are deceiving

**EDIT**
Found one at EuropaParts! Thanks guys.

deviantirish

Ebay or junk yard. Pre 2000 VW passat 2.8L will have one. Thats where I got mine from.

KingHamer

shoot.. already purchased one. I appreciate that though! I will remember that for the future.