KoniginDerNacht

Hey Audi World.. I have a 98 A6 2.8L Quattro. I know it's "old" but with 128k miles she's actually not run down. I'm the 3rd owner and only got it about 250 miles ago, point being I'm not doing surgery on a dead horse. Anyhow, I started having issues with the cam chains/ compression/ tensioner. Had the CEL scanned and it gave codes for cam bank 1 & cam bank 2. (Please keep in mind I am mechanically inclined, however this is only my 2nd Audi & my last one never had engine issues. Luckily I'm a quick learner ) I know the problem is that the cam shoe is broken on 1 of the tensioners and the chain has grinded against it (for maybe 5mi max before I got home and I haven't started it since). I have a complete cam tensioner to replace it, as well as 99% of tools to do the job. I was really hoping that it was the tensioner in bank 1. However, after getting to the tensioner and inspecting it, it's perfect. Which can only mean bank 2's cam tensioner, right? FML, here's where I need the advice and guidance. I have a crankshaft lock but I don't have the cam alignment bar which is "preferred" for setting TDC... Do I really need it? I have bank 1 all reassembled and will hopefully be starting bank 2 tomorrow, presuming there it a way to lock TDC without the alignment bar so I can replace the cam tensioner and get her back on the road.

Also, while I was in bank 1 I counted the rollers. It counted 16, which is what Bentley says it should. While I was researching and getting advice before I dove in, I noticed everything shows the rollers should be at 14.5 or 15 for one bank & 16 for the other for proper functions. I never found out which bank was supposed to be sat at 16. Is it right for 16 on bank 1?

Sorry if I am redundant. I just wanna make sure I get this straightened out correctly. Thanks in advance

Highmile

You can do it without the cam lock bar. You are leaving the timing belt installed and just wiggling out the intake cam shaft? With motor at TDC and crankshaft locked position (mark everything just in case) you must ensure your marks line up for the cam timing. Both valve covers off and varify tdc on top end by aligning camshaft notch with arrow on the camshaft caps. Yea, 16 rollers. ross-tech camshaft timing

the_duke