So this all started with the dreaded P0016 and P0018 engine codes. I started knocking out the low hanging fruit on the list of things to check.

Pull the cam sensors and clean them.
Swap them side to side
Replaced 1 of them
Pulled the cam actuator solenoids and cleaned them
Pulled the crank sensor and checked
Later replaced the crank sensor
Later replaced the cam actuators.

All this left me with still having the codes and the only thing left on the list was to pull the engine and replace the chains. I read up and watched videos and thought I was ready to tackle this. For me it was a slow process and my track record is that when I get frustrated I tend to break stuff. Yes I got frustrated and was able to keep myself mostly in check. The PCV hose has been the only victim of my frustration thus far.

Once I got down to the chains it wasn't that bad. I need to make a trip to the dealer for some new bolts that did not come in the kit but otherwise its about time to put Humpty Dumpty back together. I have to get the cam sprocket and cam adjuster bolts as they did not come in the kit from ECS. The ErWin book says to replace since they are 80 Nm (59 ft-lbs) plus a 90* turn.

Everyone I spoke with said it was rare for a 3.0t chain to stretch. Well I found 2 of the 4 chains stretched, the cam chains might have some stretch but since they are shorter its had to see with the naked eye. Also found broken guide plates for the drive side cam tensioners were broken. Both cam tensioners were the 2012 design that looses hyd pressure plus the springs were weak. Found that the tensioner for the main chain off the crank was getting chewed by the balance shaft chain.

 

How many miles were on your car? Maintenance history/oil change intervals? did you get it all back together? How long did it take? and I assume you were using the audi factory service manual? questions questions questions!

 

Codes first popped at 180,000. I was in denial about the timing chains to begin with since it shows zero signs of timing problems other than the codes. Finally did the repairs at just short of 205,000. Sadly the repair is still in progress, I think I am at about 7 days of time so far. It would be done by now if I paid for it but that would be over $6,000 for an independent shop, much more for the dealer. I am waiting on 2 hoses from Audi at the moment that I need to replace as everything goes back together. Following the erwin repair manual. I took a week off of work to start with but had to get back in the office on Thursday and cut vacation short. I have been working on it as I have found time at this point. Hopefully I will be able to have a solid 3 days over the holiday to get things back together. Going back in I will have to fight with the driveshaft as it would not disconnect from the rear diff. I wound up sliding the trans tail off the shaft spline as the engine came out.

The book has a lot of bolts called out that need to be changed because of them being torque to yield. I will admit that I should have researched this better and ordered them online rather from the parts department. I also opted to replace both motor mounts with the engine out as they were original. Passenger side had signs of dry rot and the driver side was starting to rip the center out. I could have saved money and reused them but I did not see the point with putting them back in knowing they would fail probably within a year . Hopefully I do not break any more parts on the rebuild.

As for maintenance history on the engine. 10,000 mile OCI with Castrol by the dealer for the first 140,000 miles by the previous owner. I switched to Mobil 1 and have stayed with the 10,000 mile OCI. There have been a handful of recall items through the years but otherwise just the standard maintenance schedule items.

 

Great thanks for the reply. I know how intense engine rebuilds can get and I dread having to do it to my A7, but being its a 12' and that I hear a rattle on start up there is likely a time in my future when I will need to do this. Keep the info coming its incredibly helpful to the rest of us. Do you have a thread documenting your progress on this?

 

No not really on the documentary thread but I have a word document that I am doing to help with remembering what the eff I need to do to go back together.

 

Thanks for input on my thread. Just checked this one out. Sounds so very similar... my PCV hose was also a victim of my impatience... broke it trying to get the oil filter off.. it was brittle AF.