I recently bought a project, 03 A6 4.2l. Among other things it needed cam plugs, seals, timing, etc. I am finishing the timing belt and am ready to button up the motor but I have a question for any Audi techs on here. I've turned the motor over by hand, all the marks line up perfectly every time.

I've noticed that driver and passenger side cam chain tensioners are different in operation. Pass side has spring loaded guide on top of cams, while driver side has spring loaded guide on bottom of cams. Is this normal or has previous owner goofed up?

When I turn it over by hand, the valve spring pressure on driver's side intake cam will cause the Cam to roll forward at certain points in the revolution creating chain slack between the two cams on top. Since the bottom is spring loaded on this side, it doesn't extend to take up this slack. The slack disappears as the crank is turned as the exhaust cam ( driven by timing belt) "catches up". Is this normal until the engine develops oil pressure or is tensioner bad?

If my explaining sucks let me know and I can add pictures.

Thanks.
Bratcop

 

Duplicate entry

 

​​​​​​well, I've got no additional info, but I'm not willing to risk it, so Im buying a used replacement tensioner and new shoes. I'll post a vid later...

 

Audi Tek, any input or direction?


Thanks for all your past input, btw. It's nice to see a working forum of knowledge

Bratcop

 

Is there really nobody that has any idea what I'm talking about or is this forum that dead . I'm new to it but it seems like one of the better ones when I looked through some of the answers. Please if someone has an input on this post up

Bratcop