[Guest]

I'm pulling my head off and the manual says to "remove variocam adjuster from cylinder head" and then remove camshafts. Is the adjuster supposed to come off with the cam and the chain as a single assembly, or does the variocam come out seperately?

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[Greimann]

I believe you have to take the cams, chain and adjuster out as an assembly unless you want to break the chain.

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[Guest]

Thanks, you're correct. I didn't read the manual farther down to the next step where it states "remove both camshafts complete with camshaft adjuster".



It also says to remove the #1 and #3 bearing caps and use special tool 9226 to retain both camshafts in the bearings. Is it really necessary to use this tool and why is it necessary?



chris

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[NeedPorscheSpeed]

[quote name='chris luckett' date='Jul 9 2005, 10:12 PM']It also says to remove the #1 and #3 bearing caps and use special tool 9226 to retain both camshafts in the bearings.  Is it really necessary to use this tool and why is it necessary?



chris

[right][post="7154"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



Chris,



When reinstalling the camshafts and Variocam tensioner, you can bypass the usage of special tool (saddle) if you progressively tighten the bolts. As one who recently completed this job, I want to give you a few words of caution. Hope you don't mind. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



1) While removing the fuel lines, be very careful while counter-torquing. My wrench slipped off and I then created a hairline crack in my fuel rail... <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/sad.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



2) While removing those XZN (cheesehead, triple square) bolts, be sure to follow the Clark's Garage procedure for waking them up. (Here is where it can be found:



http://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/bolt-01.htm



It is also nice to have a set of stubby XZN sockets. At first, I used the Lisle bit set that can be found at O'Reilly's and Auto Zone. Because they are so long, and I was unable to get enough stability, I ended up stripping 5 of the 20 bolts. Drilling them out was a real blast, let me tell you. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/sad.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> Per Bruce Ward's suggestion, I bought a set of VIM XZN sockets from an online vendor. Do a Froogle search, and you should be able to find a set for around $20.00. I am happy to report that I have not stripped another XZN bolt since I started using the VIM set. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



3) You can bypass the usage of the special tool for retensioning the Variocam tensioning unit by using a long zip tie. Also, order up an extra dose of patience when you are attempting to put the tensioning unit back in between the camshafts. For that matter, order up an extra dose of patience if you find yourself tensioning the balance shaft belt for the first time. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> (Thankfully, the timing belt is a relative cakewalk, thanks to the hydraulic tensioner.)



These are just a few things that spring to mind. If you have any other questions, or need pictures, just let me know. I am still planning to do a write-up of the procedure, chock-full of pictures, even though there are those out there who are much better mechanics than I am.



Good luck! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[Guest]

Thanks for the tips. I've got everything apart and I'm getting ready to pull the cams and variocam. The manual states the required use of the 9226 tool for REMOVAL of the cams. Is it really required and is there a risk in not using it?



It's not clear to me why to tool is needed since all that needs to be done at this point is removing the cam bearings and pulling the assembly out. Is this one of those special tools that you can do without (like the pin for the cam belt tensioner) or is it absolutely required to prevent an apocalypse?



I'm sure I'll have more questions at reassembly time...



thanks

chris

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[NeedPorscheSpeed]

[quote name='chris luckett' date='Jul 10 2005, 02:07 AM']Is it absolutely required to prevent an apocalypse?

[right][post="7165"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



Well... I didn't use the special tool, and I'm still among the living. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



I would just progressively remove the bolts, and everything should be fine.

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