Audi 3.2 FSI Upper Timing Chain Tensioner Replacement
Parts
Warning – Please fight the urge to pull the retaining pins when you get the part. The seals inside can be damaged trying to recompress them and they must be compressed to install. The rear photo shows the dark backing plate, they’re held only loosely with metal tabs. Be carefull when installing that they do not become misaligned.
1. Timing chain tensioner, left upper – Part Number: 18266-01183647 (Partsgeek.com) $219.17
2. Timing chain tensioner, right upper – Part Number: 18264-01183648 (Partsgeek.com) $191.99
3. RTV Silicone
Tools Needed
1. T40058 – Crankshaft Turning Socket – ebay $19
2. T40070 – Camshaft Locking Tools – ebay – Audi timing tool set $158 (el paso tools store – made by baumtools)
3. T10035 – Multi-point Socket (12 Point 14mm Socket) – Included in timing toolset
4. T-30 Torx Bit (6mm)
5. 3/8 Stubby Swivel Ratchet – Harbor Freight $9.99 – Bottom torx bolts on cam covers are a bitch and tough to get to, this tool and a 1″ extension are life savers! DO NOT STRIP THOSE TORX BOLTS!
6. ½ Extendable Ratchet – Harbor Freight $16
7. Torque wrench
8. Metric Sockets
9. Ratchet extensions
Installation Procedure
1. Remove air filter plenum and upper filter housing ( You can leave back part mounted to inner fender)
2. Remove radiator coolant reservoir
3. Disconnect spark plug harness on both sides
4. Mark and remove any sensors that may restrain the spark plug harness so it can be moved clear of the valve covers
5. Carefully pop out all 6 individual ignition coils from the spark plugs
6. Use T-30 torx bit to undo all valve cover bolts for each side
7. Remove right and left valve covers
8. Use T-30 torx bit and stubby ratchet to undo all rear timing chain cover bolts on each side (Be careful, they can be tough DO NOT STRIP!)
9. Use T40058 Crankshaft tool on ½ Drive extended ratchet to manually turn engine clockwise until the threaded holes on the end of the camshafts (firewall side) face upward on each cylinder bank.
10. Bolt on T40070 locking tools on each cylinder bank. Make sure the holes are aligned upright and the bolts screw in smoothly. If needed rock crankshaft with back and forth till it’s perfectly aligned. You don’t want to try bolting it on unaligned or you can break bolt on the camshaft. Then you have to MIG weld a nut on it to extract (Don’t ask how I know this)
11. With both camshafts locked, you can now remove the cam adjusters bolted to the end of the camshafts.
12. Use T10035 Socket and loosen the 12-point bolts on each of the camshafts on the right cylinder bank.
13. Carefully wiggle the cam adjusters off the end of each camshaft. Start with the intake and when it’s off just rest the chain on the cylinder head casting directly behind the cam adjuster. Do the same for the exhaust camshaft. Mark each cam adjuster as intake or exhaust (the exhaust cam adjuster has a metal spring/clip on it, the intake doesn’t) Don’t worry if the chain moves, the engine is locked in place. Just Don’t touch the crankshaft while the engine is locked.
14. Take the new right tensioner out of the package and note the location of the mounting holes, you will be undoing these on the old tensioner in the engine.
15. Stuff some shop rags or paper towels down the galley were the timing chain comes up from, this is so you don’t accidentally drop any of the tensioner mounting bolts down into the rear of the engine. That would be a world of hurt.
16. Undo all the mounting bolts (T-30 torx) and carefully wiggle the tensioner up and out of the rear of the engine. The hydraulic piston in the tensioner may drop out just be careful when removing. My old one was completely compressed and stuck down.
17. Carefully place new tensioner into position, you may have to move the chain around to get it into place. BE CAREFULL THE BACKING PLATE ON THE NEW TENSIONER STAYS ON AND DOESN’T SHIFT. DO NOT REMOVE THE RETAINING PIN (T40071)ON THE NEW TENSIONER YET!
18. Reinstall all of the chain tensioner mounting bolts. I started with the top/easiest one then wiggled it around till I could get a second bolt in making sure it’s aligned. Then I installed and tightened the remaining bolts.
19. Reinstall the cam adjusters, start with the exhaust, pull the timing chain out slightly and place it around the cam adjuster. Then gently wiggle adjuster back onto the camshaft. Do the same for the intake cam adjuster. You may have to play with it a little, be patient and careful and make sure both adjusters are on straight. UPDATE – I’ve been asked several times about do the cam adjusters need to be aligned in a specific position when reinstalling. They are not notched or indexed in any way. The factory manual makes no mention of installing them in any spefici aligned position so it appears it doesn’t matter. Just make sure they’re on!
20. Now, you may now pull out the tensioner retaining pin. The piston should pop out and tension the chain.
21. If the retaining clip pops out before you get the cam adjusters back on, you must remove the tensioner from the engine and manually squeeze the guide rail till it’s completely compressed. Then, while holding it, you can put the retaining pin back on it. There is a ratchet mechanism inside the tensioner piston that will not release until it’s compressed fully. Be careful, you can damage the seals inside if you try forcing it. I think this is the reason these tensioners fail again prematurely, so be careful!
22. Reinstall the camshaft adjuster retaining bolts. First torque them to 30 lb/ft, then60 lb/ft, then tighten them another ¼ turn.
23. Repeat this procedure for the left cylinder bank
24. Clean old sealant from rear camshaft covers and apply new RTV silicone
25. Reinstall the rear camshaft covers
26. Reinstall valve covers
27. Reinstall coils, wiring harness, etc.
28. Reinstall intake and coolant reservoir
29. Make sure crankshaft turning tool has been removed
30. Double check everything is back in place and fire up the engine!
My engine fired right up, problem resolved, and I saved thousands. Every European specialist shop I called in Tampa Bay either didn’t have the timing tools or refused to do the tensioners without pulling the engine. I’ve seen timing chains last 300k+ miles on many vehicles, they are designed to last the life of the vehicle. If your shop tells you you MUST pull the engine because of chain stretch or broken guides, ask them whats more likely to fail, a hardened alloy chain or a plastic hydraulic piston seal. That’s the purpose of tensioners, to compensate for chain stretch (to a point of course). Yeah, okay, sure it can’t be done.