[1.8tracecar]

Kinda stumped a bit on this one and hope someone can help me out.
I just did a bit of maintenance and replaced most of the timing components on the engine. I replaced the timing belt,water pump tensioner, and all that stuff, when I was working on the engine I found that both of the tensioner gaskets were looking pretty bad so since I was in there I decided to replace them and since I was pulling them out and the engine has 230000km I decided to replace the actual chains and the slider pads as well. I did everything according to the manuals I downloaded from erWin. I triple checked everything and made sure it was all lined up properly. Got the engine put back together and started it up and it gave me a engine code (p0341) being that the code was not there previously I assumed that the camshaft position sensor was good and that the timing chain may have been off by one tooth. So I pulled it all apart checked it out and it was all good. Fired it up to try it again and I still had the code. So I swapped the cam position sensors to rule that out and there was still no change. Figured I better recheck the timing at this point so I put the crankshaft locking pin in and checked the alignment of the cams with the cam locking bar and it all lines up perfectly so that leaves pretty much the last timing being the alignment of the cam chain on bank 1. So I pulled the cam and the tensioner and adjusted it by one tooth and the engine ran with reduced power so obviously that was not the problem so I put it back and the problems still there. I counted out the 16 rollers according to the manual and I cannot get the timing triangles on the bearing caps to line up with the notch on the cam this is where I’m stuck (both chains are straight form the dealer so it’s not stretched or anything from being cheap). Still have the engine code and the engine has reduced power, I did a compression check to make sure the valves are good and not causing the power loss and compression is good. Other thing is that I had it at the dealer for some other work and they ran the codes for me and the service manager was kindly helping me out told that the code changed to a correlation code between the camshaft position sensors and the crankshaft position sensor.

 

[gazaflash]

1.8tracecar,

Good job on doing all the maintenance.

A single big help is to buy the Rosstech VCDS software ($300 ish). It is very powerful and will aid you in diagnosing any faults.

With all the work done on the engine, the error code is telling you there is a difference recently on the timing. These cars are bit more in-depth when it come to repairs.

I would get the software, plug it in and do an overall scan. Reset all the error codes and then redo another scan. If the error is still there then go into the engine module and do a basic setting. This should reset the sensors. The ECU calculate the potential wear rate (engine mileage, temp, over time...etc.) if it sees that there is a change in the calculated wear rate of the chain, it brings up an error.

Hope this helps

 

[1.8tracecar]

The dealer plugged it in for me and reset all the codes and then this code came back. I aligned the timing with the proper cam locking bar and crankshaft locking pin.

 

[chewblekka]

The ECU calculate the potential wear rate (engine mileage, temp, over time...etc.) if it sees that there is a change in the calculated wear rate of the chain, it brings up an error.

This is not true. The ECU does not "calculate" any wear of any timing components. The timing is either correct, or it's not. I have performed hundreds of timing belt and chain jobs on VWs over the years and have never heard of such a thing, nor have ever had to "reset sensors". The code is only set if the crank TDC mark and cam TDC mark aren't synchronized.

OP - are you sure you didn't accidentally damage the cam position sensor shutter wheel that's bolted to the intake cam? It's very thin metal and can bend very easily if you're not careful. Setting the chain to have the required 16 rollers between marks can be difficult, but is doable. One of the triangles will not 100% line up with the mark, it will be slightly off, perhaps 1/4 of a roller.

Did you remove both chain tensioner assemblies at once, or change gaskets one bank at a time? Possible to swap tensioners if the former method. From the pic you have posted, it does appear that the intake cam is off one tooth.

If you have access to VCDS, could you please post what values you get in engine measuring block 90, fields 3 and 4?

 

[1.8tracecar]

I decided to just pay to get VCDS to make it easier. It’s on it’s way and it’ll be here next week. I am very careful and meticulous when working on vehicles, I am sure that nothing was bent. Everything was labelled and laid out on my work bench in a way that I would know exactly where it went (part # on the chain tensioner also matches up with bank 1 as well). I’ll post the values once VCDS is here in the mail if I haven’t figured it out yet. from the picture I posted it looks like it’s off? I have counted out 16 rollers multiple times according to the directions on erWin. Only thing I noticed it that when the crankshaft locking pin is installed the marks on the harmonic balancer don’t line up with the notch on the timing belt cover could this be an issue? Should I be using the notch on the timing belt cover instead of the locking pin because it is about a full tooth off of where the notch is on the cover.

 

[gazaflash]

This is not true. The ECU does not "calculate" any wear of any timing components. The timing is either correct, or it's not. I have performed hundreds of timing belt and chain jobs on VWs over the years and have never heard of such a thing, nor have ever had to "reset sensors". The code is only set if the crank TDC mark and cam TDC mark aren't synchronized.


Sorry, Chewblekka, I was thinking of the GTI TSI engine which has such a facility! Not found in the Touareg engine range. See below an excerpt from the GTI training manual.

A new feature in the engine is a testing programme for diagnosing chain elongation.

The chain elongation diagnosis detects an elongated timing chain in the engine. Chain elongation is detected by

the camshaft sensors and the crankshaft sensor by means of the relative position of the camshafts compared to the

crankshaft.

Following an entry in the event memory, chain elongation is checked by means of a visual inspection of the chain

tensioner.

If the positions repeatedly exceed a camshaft-specific threshold, an entry is generated in the event memory.

For the diagnosis to function properly after a repair, it must be updated after the following work on the engine:

- Exchanging the engine control unit

- Exchanging engine components connected to the chain drive

- Exchanging the timing chain or the complete engine

 

[chewblekka]

Sorry, Chewblekka, I was thinking of the GTI TSI engine which has such a facility!

I really fear the direction cars are going. I’m positive in a few years they’ll be just like the AG world à la John Deere and Co, where any sort of repair or modification is impossible without dealer intervention. Oil change or any maintenance overdue? Car won’t start until you tow it to the dealer.

 

[gazaflash]

Exactly my thoughts too!
Making thing so called user friendly, but to the detriment of service, diagnostics, costs, etc...!
Your average farmer can’t fix his tractors, combines and ancillary equipment because the dealers has locked him into a service contract whereby they are the only ones that can service the equipment.
Especially as thing are getting more autonomous, the car will just drive itself to the dealer and a bill will be sent to you via Applepay

By the way, your air suspension retrofit was impressive, well done!

 

[happy guy]

This may not be completely what you are after but thought I'd let you know I had an elec codes issue after I replaced all my chains, pulleys and tensioners in my 3.6FSI V6 recently. The culprit ending up being a dodgy knock sensor. I changed it and all was solved instantly.

 

[Bronwyns_touareg]

hey did you find the fix for the code i'm having the same issue now

 

[ajnanyc]

What ever happened to this thread? Interested to know before I start this job myself.