Misfires, low idle, shaking after CAM girdle and upper chain tensioner replaced?

OB44

MEMBER
2007 AUDI A6
3.2L
V6
4WD
AUTOMATIC
187,000 MILES

The vehicle listed above is a Quattro. The car had a massive oil leak and a large white cloud of smoke on a cold start. Also had oil in spark plug well on ignition coil. I decided to try and tackle all problems at once. Needed a new coolant pipe (old was cracked), so replaced that along with water pump, thermostat, and oil separator. Now on to the oil leak. Pulled upper cover off, and cam girdle after locking it down with locking too. Resealed girdle and new gasket in spark plug well. Also, a new upper timing chain tensioner while cam girdle was off. Everything went back together smoothly, but now has a heavy vibration on start. Stater also stays on long after car has started. Getting misfires in cylinders 4, 5, 6. Very low idle, and car not moving when stepping on accelerator. CEL is also now on. Guess something, I did wrong with timing. Any help appreciated. Wonder if I should bother with this, or just buy another motor that is used (100,000 miles on it). Local shops have said $3,500 for parts alone to fix timing. Thanks

1 Reply

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,526 POSTS

Yep, it sounds like the timing got messed up. I would take the front cover back off to check the timing marks, here are the marks so you can check the timing chain installation. They are not relay marks more like you need the special tool to lock the crankshaft at TDC and then the camshaft are lining up with small hole marks on the shaft itself. The only thing is I am wondering if the valves got bent which is a possibility so the alternative engine might be the best option. Here is how the camshaft timing is set in case you want to try to fix it. Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes.

Images (Click to make bigger)