Long story short... camshaft on passenger side snapped in 1/2. Took off head to replace, decided to go all the way. Here I am in the middle of it. Making it a hobby. Don't need the car right now, so I have lots of time. I'm not a mechanic, as I think anyone can take things apart. The trick will be putting it together correctly. I'll tell the interesting long story next.

 

Damaged passenger side head. Damage was from camshaft wobbling.

 

Long story: Bought this 99 Audi A4 Q used with 150k on it. No idea of how Audi's behave after 100K. This car had damage already. It had been in an accident before I had it. Suspension was replaced, and I knew it had an oil leak but thought it was just the valve cover gasket needing replacement. Never could get it to stop. While under the valve cover I noticed a camshaft "bearing" cap was split. Took it out and there was damage to the head. Audi told me to replace the head. I didn't. Put it back together.

Here's the interesting part. I took off the oil pan cover to replace it - it had been cracked and repaired by previous owner. I noticed a lot of filings in the bottom. They were plastic. The only thing I could think of was the chain tensioner guides. Sure enough - the passenger side plastic tensioner guide was all worn down to nothing. I found some online for cheap and replaced them, top and bottom. Put it all back together, timed it and drove it 3 months.

Camshaft snapped in 1/2 one day going to work. Drove it back on 3 cylinders into garage.

Sitting for a year, I decided I needed another friggen hobby.

Doing it right, but... that may mean taking it somewhere once I get it all cleaned and gutted, not sure yet. I need to find a head, and I need to decide to rebuild other good head or ... what.

 

This is a great build thread. keep up the great work and sharing it here.

 

I have a question - how did you get the sway bar out of the way of the oil pan to take it off?
Thats one of the things I need to tackle... mine seems to have issues with getting the bolts off.

I also have oil leaking - valve covers for sure... I think I might tear it apart when my summer car gets on the road.

Chad

 

Sorry - that was a year ago for the sway bar. It wasn't a problem though if I remember right. i think I removed it.. sorry.. Make sure you don't assume its just the valve cover gasket with oil leak. There are plenty of gaskets that could be old and leaking. Around the camshafts and tensioner.

 

Yeah, I figured that most of those seals are leaking too... If I take the valve cover off, I will do all of the ones that are "easy" to get at in there...

right now it leaks way to much oil...

Chad

 

I've lost my enthusiasm... found out the 1 head is $375 to re-condition. And they want $1100 for a right side cylinder head thats needs to be replaced. I wanted to spend $1000 tops for both. I figure about $700 for gaskets, plug wires, and timing kit to finish. We're at over $2200. The thing is while the transmission was ok when it was running, it may go out soon, and then what. The car has 150K on it. Discouraged a bit... Engine area is spotless, no dirt, grease or grim anywhere. Cleaned entire underside... now what. There's a point where you say no mas.

 

Just look around for some used heads for much less money than that! Try Car-Part.com, VW Vortex, and your local resources (junkyards, enthusiast, local Audi shops, etc.).

 

You're right.. I just need a 2nd wind. I have plenty of time so... What I'm going to do is have the left side reconditioned for $375. If I stop I can always sell it later. If I do it little by little I won't notice the $$ maybe?