I have been lurking around for a few months now, trying to learn as much as i can. I have a 2001 A4 quattro with the AWM engine. I need to replace valve cover gasket and chain tensioner. Got the parts from blauparts. So I have read tons of DIY's and watched you tube videos. So now it is my turn to do it! Wondering if any one has any tricks that would make the job go easier, or faster? I am still wondering if I do in fact need to remove the front clip? THANKS!

 

It's a piece of cake, I did it twice last week. Just unbolt the intake cam, lift it up while rotating it a bit and you'll be able to slip the tensioner out. I can't really explain in words but you'll see what you have to do when you get to that stage. You could take the tensioner out with the intake cam still on the chain, or take the cam off the chain first, I tried both methods and they're pretty much the same in terms of difficulty and time. Make sure you're at TDC first though, mark the chain and sprockets just in case, and be sure to follow the Bentley procedure for tightening and loosening the cam caps. I can't stress enough how important that is. You better have an accurate 1/4" torque wrench too.

 

Thanks for the input!! Yup I do have all the tools. So now I just need to get the heat going in the shop! Its a balmy -26f!

 

Like Mad Cow said... "it's a piece of cake" Make sure that you mark your chain and sprocket... things will break if it is off.

 

It's really not bad. And whoever said you need to remove the front end is very very wrong lol.

 

So got started on it today and noticed after pulling off the valve cover my cams appear to be a bit out of time. See pics attached. Any ideas or the proper way to get everything back in the grove?

 

That's well within the margin of error, how do you expect to move the cam over a fraction of a tooth? I can't see how you aligned the exhaust cam but the notch on the cam has to be to the left of the mark.

 

Thanks for all the input! Put everything back together and it runs great!