[passat005]

I would like to know the consequences of not replacing the cam tensioner gasket. I am about to replace the whole pcv system and the valve cover gasket due to oil leaks caused by bad check valve. My car is at 191,000 miles and I want to do enough work to keep it on the road for the next 10,000 - 20,000 miles. So far I have replaced the timing belt, water pump, thermostat, and gas pump. I got this car at 170,000.

If the only problem with a bad cam tensioner gasket is the oil leak can I just keep an eye on the oil level and add oil as needed? and also make sure that no oil is making it's way to the spark plug wells? I would do the cam tensioner gasket replacement myself but I have not found a good write-up on it. By the way, I have a 2002 1.8t AWM.

Thanks!

 

[egovreau]

Audizine has a DIY to replace the tensioner gasket in the B6 A4 forum. Essentially the same engine and layout.

There aren't any real serious consequences beyond the smell of burning oil and the untidy mess you'll leave everywhere.

However, it really isn't that tough. Call it 2-3 hours if you're not that familiar with it, and you'll want to replace the valve cover gasket as well, which can result in oil in the spark plug wells.

Again, not a serious consequence, but a pain to clean out and the oil will drain to the cylinders if you pull the spark plugs. Depending on how long you wait to start the engine, can make for a huge smoke cloud.



Sent from the 7th Galaxy.

 

[kutcht1]

You should be able to get a small mirror back there and see how bad if any is leaking. I didn't replace mine since it did not seem to be leaking when I did my VCG. But, if you are replacing the entire PCV system with all of that off I may just do it since it is cheap insurance.
TomK

 

[sirwired]

If you are going to go through all the work of prying off your hard, ancient hoses attached to the valve cover, why not replace the CCTG while you are in there? You'll need the cheap gasket kit, and a tool that I think is going for all of $7 or so on eBay. (And a 1/4" torque wrench if you don't already own one for the cam bearing caps.)

 

[VAGguy]

I was able to do the tensioner gasket and half moon seal without pulling any cam caps. The tensioner lifted enough to slide into place. 20k miles later and dry as a bone still.

Once the VC is off, it takes only 15 mins or so to replace. One thing I attributed my coolant flange o-ring failure to was the oil leaking onto it from the CCT gasket. So there's that to think about. I'd rather not have to replace the flange again.

 

[Neverdone]

Had to replace two of these on a v6....no space for working. But if you don't replace...chain can start to contact the valve cover and cause damage to both. So if you're not hearing the sound of metal to metal....up to you. I changed mine when I noticed the engine sounded different (slack in the chain but not metal to metal).

 

[VAGguy]

Had to replace two of these on a v6....no space for working. But if you don't replace...chain can start to contact the valve cover and cause damage to both. So if you're not hearing the sound of metal to metal....up to you. I changed mine when I noticed the engine sounded different (slack in the chain but not metal to metal).

I'm not so sure the gasket caused that, but rather a failure of the CCT itself.

 

[JayTheSnork]

Had to replace two of these on a v6....no space for working. But if you don't replace...chain can start to contact the valve cover and cause damage to both. So if you're not hearing the sound of metal to metal....up to you. I changed mine when I noticed the engine sounded different (slack in the chain but not metal to metal).

I'm not so sure the gasket caused that, but rather a failure of the CCT itself.

I'm with Dan on this one. the only thing that can happen by not replacing the CCTG when it starts dripping oil is losing oil. a CCT failure is a different story, and can cause contact with the valve cover.

 

[chefro]

If it doesn't leak, let it be. There's cleaning involved, adding sealant, sliding the gasket over the retaining guides and over the half-shaped moon seal. Besides, I would like to see how it is done without taking at least those front caps off. Moreover, you need the tensioner compression tool - do you have it? - so you can lift the tensioner...

 

[chefro]

By the way, if you anyway undo the cap bolts, you might as well take them off. The fact that you either leave them on or remove them makes no difference. (talking about those front outmost caps)