TDi camshaft gear issues?????

[nathand]

Greetings
I've just had a prepurchase inspection done on an '02 T4 2.5l TDi Manual and the mechanic tried talk me out of it as he's had to fix a couple of these engines where the camshaft gear has become loose because the shaft is not 'dowelled', resulting in serious engine damage.

I haven't encountered this in any of my research to date and was wondering if it'd happened to anyone here and if so, is there anything that can be done to mitigate against it?

Thanks, Nathan

[t4 camper]

Hi Nathan,
Sounds like you only have half the story.
The cam pulley has a taper fit to the camshaft, although there is a woodruft key slot in the camshaft, there is no slot in the pulley. It was made that way so the valve timing can be adjusted correctly and exactly.
The pistons are set top dead centre at the flywheel, the camshaft timing is set at the injector pump belt end, the timing belt is fitted and the cam pulley tightened. The injector pump timing is then set.
The cam pulley should not come loose, have not heard of any coming loose.
The timing belt does require replacement at 120 000 klm. The water pump and tensioners done at same time.
If there is no evidence of it having been done, I would suggest you budget to have it done. A broken timing belt destroys the head, about $5000 repair if the pistons don't break.

Neil

[nathand]

Thanks Neil
It now sems as if the (anti-VW) mechanic was referring to the earlier 2.4l diesel donk.

It has had the full 120K service, so I'm now satisfied.
CHeers, Nathan

[gtimk5]

I think you should have tried a "non anti VW" workshop for your inspection.
I would be interested to know who has repaired the 2.4's locally that the cam gear has come loose on.
I havent heard of this problem. (thank goodness!!)
Good luck with your purchase,
Andrew

[jets]

[QUOTE=nathand;379716]Thanks Neil
It now sems as if the (anti-VW) mechanic was referring to the earlier 2.4l diesel donk.

The 2.4 engine has the same set up. If indeed he has had to fix up a couple of these engines they were obviously not tightened correctly holding the cam pulley securely.
I read all I can on the various forums [the T4 Forum alone has nearly 15,000 members & most seem to have the 2.5TDI engine] & have not heard of this before.
Take notice of what gtimk5 has said & go to someone who really knows VWs like Andrew.

[nathand]

Unless Andrew was prepared to go to NSW, I had to take the closest NRMA authorised mechanic!

All good though, we collect next week. Very excited - will post some pics when we get back.

[gtimk5]

Hey Nathan,
I havent been to Sydney for 6 weeks mate and could've done with another trip up there!!
Seriously though, I hope you have a good safe trip home with your purchase. I have done it twice with 2 Caddys since christmas.
My first one was a US 81 Caddy ute and that used 12.5 litres of oil on the road trip to Hobart!!
The Caddy van used about that in fuel!!! (joke)
Andrew