Camshaft removal

[damien]

Hi all,

I'm working on first serie 2.0 engine.
Valves clearances are too tight.
So, I need to remove camshaft.
Is it necessary to remove camshaft gears ?
Bolts are right hand thread type?
How to lock the camshaft to unscrew the bolt?

Thanks.

[ThomasK]

Oh thats a Iot of work…
Gears are connected to camshaft, so yes they come off together with the camshafts.
Before removal fix the chains in „loose“ position, if you have the spring loaded tensioner. Threads are all „normal“ direction.
I fix Engine at the flywheel. Camshaft screws have 120 NM and the lock plates you need to renew.
Timing to set correct afterwards via the cam gears with correct chain tension.
KR Thomas

[damien]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply.
So, it is not necessary to disassemble camshaft and gear.
I have early type load tensioner. So, no spring.
Engine is in the car, so I can't fix it at flywheel. I have read that I can fix with cardboard but I don't understand...

[ThomasK]

To set the timing later correct, you need to disassemble camgear from cam as you use to set the timing the uneven distributed holes in camgear and camshaft - its a bit of a fiddly Job…but important.

Dont know if that can be done nearly correct only with markings for the Position before disassembly, as you have to set the cams in the right position and set the right tension on the chain at the same time…

You can reach the flywheel behind the small cover at the lower side of the bellhouse.

[Stefan2000]

Not necessarily needed to remove the sprocket to get the camshaft out. Just release the tension from the chain, remove all bearing caps, remove 1 or 2 studs from the camcovers and you can tilt them and slide them out.
But if the cams need re-adjustment after refitting, you must indeed rotate the sprockets and if my memory serves me well you indeed need to loosen the center bolt from the camshafts.

[damien]

Thanks for your answers.
Is there a written method to adjust the camshaft timing?
Is this mandatory after adjusting the valve clearances?

[ThomasK]

Well, let me phrase it like this: the timing has to be OK when you start the Engine - if its OK you don’t have to adjust it. If it’s not OK you risk a major engine damage.

I don’t know how experienced or familiar you are with working on engines - don’t get me wrong but if you engage in essential things like timing you should at least know what it’s about and what you are doing.

Do you have the Workshop handbooks and manuals? They are even here available in this Forum - I can only recommend to get and read them. To Check the timing is not complicated, there are markings on cam- and crankshaft/damper. To explain how to adjust is in my view very complicated to explain via an Internet Forum. Other opinions are welcome!

Where are you located? Maybe an experienced Dinoisti is nearby?

[damien]

No problem.
The engine runs fine.
It's just the clearances that need to be redone.
The 5 marks are aligned with the reference marks.
The purpose of timing is to make sure that this is the case. Isn't it?
I am good at mechanics but not at English.
That is why I do not understand if it is mandatory to redo the timing after each valve clearance checking/adjusting.
If marks are aligned, i dont undersand why it is necessary.

[Dario]

Hi Damien,
Adjusting the timing and valve clearances are two different things. If you have to do both, it's faster to remove the camshafts as this gives you easy access to all the shims at once. If you only need to adjust one or two valves, it's easier to leave everything in place and use a bent screwdriver to lower the bucket holding the shim. Let us know what you want to do and we can provide some guidance! Your English is fine, would another language be better?

[ThomasK]

Hi good questions, I understood that the work is related to the early style valvetrain, with the shims under the cam follower, there you need to take out the camshafts. On the later style you can adjust the valve clearence with the camshafts in. Much easier to do.

To the question: if the timing is right after you assembled everything back together with the right chain tension you don’t need to adjust the timing.