Head gasket and timing?

KINGJD123

MEMBER
2010 AUDI Q5
3.2L
V6
4WD
AUTOMATIC
90,000 MILES

I'm finally starting on rebuilding my 3.2, I need instructions on how to properly time everything my camshafts are off the heads and my heads are off. I have new head gaskets and all of the chains are off the block I have all the correct tools to do this timing. Thanks in advance and any advice is welcome.

5 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,602 POSTS

When rotating the engine over, do it gently by hand to avoid any intake or exhaust valve damage.

Risk of damaging valves and piston crowns: If camshafts are rotated, crankshaft may not rest with any piston at "TDC".

There is special hold down and alignment tools that must be used when doing this job. Here are the instructions and timing mark alignments for the five timing chains, the oil pump drive chain does not have marks. Start with the engine on TDC. Please go over all instructions and diagrams before you begin to avoid mistakes. Check out the images (below). Let us know if you need anything else.

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Thursday, November 30th, 2023 AT 12:38 PM

KINGJD123

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104 POSTS

Uploaded are my pictures. I am prepping the deck and cleaning its entirely does that look like TDC? I was able to put the plug in the block. When I put the heads back on can I just place the camshafts where the holes are up so the locking tool can attach to them is that how to ensure camshafts are in correct position?

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Thursday, November 30th, 2023 AT 3:45 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,602 POSTS

Yes, lock the cams with the tool and make sure #1 piston is all the way up and the timing mark for the crankshaft is aligned. The #1 piston is the front piston on the passenger's side of the engine. Check out the images (below). Let us know if you need anything else.

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Friday, December 1st, 2023 AT 9:21 AM

KINGJD123

MEMBER
104 POSTS

Thanks for your response. When I lock my crank the number 4 piston and number 2 piston is the ones at TDC, I do not know if that's normal, but that's the only place the crank will lock into. Also, is it possible to be 180° out? How do I ensure that doesn't happen? Or is it as long as the cam holes are lined up there isn't a way to mess it up?

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Friday, December 1st, 2023 AT 8:02 PM

KEN L