Pilsner
Well-Known Member
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- #1
Just got wrapped up replacing both intake cams and all lash adjusters and rockers. Definitely a pain to get to. Access is a little tight. Not a pro, just a guy turning wrenches at home to save a few thousand bucks, but found a few things that made it easier. First the cheap plastic tensioner tool for the right side is not for the updated motor, but it can be made to work. I picked up this set at Amazon because it was $20, so worth a chance. You need to modify it with a razor knife. They are glass filled plastic, but you still do NOT want this to break off under the timing cover, or you just dramatically increased the job time. So proceed with caution. I broke 3 torx sockets on the first set of bearing caps I tried to loosen. Buy a good set. Also may as well do plugs and PCV while in there.
The right side (passenger) is a lot easier for access. I didn't remove the battery tray or the fuse box and had no real issues. I was able to reach the bolts with a 1/4" ratchet. One right by the battery box that holds a coolant line bracket needs an initial loosen and final tighten with a wrench, but it's a fair trade off for not pulling all that crap out.
The left side is worse for access. The valve cover is trapped on one side by a steel bracket and an EGR plenum. I fought this side for a while. You really need to loosen the black bracket that has a t45 at the bottom and you cannot see the fastener. I just loosened it not removed it, so I didn't have to try to replace it later and that worked fine. The EGR plenum closer to the firewall also needs to be moved. It is held by 3 metal bands. I eventually just cut them and replaced them with hose clamps. You will need 3" or bigger hose clamps if you go that route, but you have to move it somehow and I was out of patience by then.
Runs pretty smooth now. Makes me wonder how long this was slowly getting worse. My oil galley bolts were all loose. Probably a full thread loose. I wonder if that was a cause. The bearing actually felt fine here. The lash adjuster was the issue on this one.
The right side (passenger) is a lot easier for access. I didn't remove the battery tray or the fuse box and had no real issues. I was able to reach the bolts with a 1/4" ratchet. One right by the battery box that holds a coolant line bracket needs an initial loosen and final tighten with a wrench, but it's a fair trade off for not pulling all that crap out.
The left side is worse for access. The valve cover is trapped on one side by a steel bracket and an EGR plenum. I fought this side for a while. You really need to loosen the black bracket that has a t45 at the bottom and you cannot see the fastener. I just loosened it not removed it, so I didn't have to try to replace it later and that worked fine. The EGR plenum closer to the firewall also needs to be moved. It is held by 3 metal bands. I eventually just cut them and replaced them with hose clamps. You will need 3" or bigger hose clamps if you go that route, but you have to move it somehow and I was out of patience by then.
Runs pretty smooth now. Makes me wonder how long this was slowly getting worse. My oil galley bolts were all loose. Probably a full thread loose. I wonder if that was a cause. The bearing actually felt fine here. The lash adjuster was the issue on this one.
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