But is it worth it to do that first and check for damaged valves, than to slap it all back together and do a compression test and find out its either good...or, needs to be pulled apart.
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Well, slapping back together to do the compression check is literally 12 bolts for the tensioners, the phasers on the back of the cams, and I could crank the motor over.
I just had a thought. @jaysz2893 back me up on this. Would it be possible the short time the motor was run with the drivers side chain tensioner wonky, that the computer saw issues and using the phasers (the round things on the backs of the cams) retarded the passenger side cams? I know they're continually variable timing adjustable, and that could easily explain why they were retarded.
Sounds like the next step then.
@Fastbird, anything is possible with the setup they use. I would pull the head. I had to do it once on my DSM just to verify the valves.
I fucking HATE VAG and their fucking allen head bolts!!!!! Any time there's one exposed to any elements for any amount of time, they always fucking strip, like the crank lock pin plug just did, and there's ZERO room to get in at it to get an easy out or anything else on it.
I like VAG... giggidy.
Think I figured out one problem. I am under the belief now that when locking the crank in via the pin (that I'm going to get to Monday or Tuesday by supporting the motor and pulling the mount that's in the way) and the cams in the proper locked position (it's one way, you can't do the cams wrong), that the motor is NOT at #1 TDC. I can't back the motor up to TDC at this point, it's running into something, and I think it may be valves. But look at this. The pic below shows the #1 and 2 cylinders portion of the cams. Look at the top cam, Intake cam, 2nd lobe, for cylinder #1 at the right. The intake valves springs are compressed and valves are open. No way that's #1 TDC. But cams are in the proper spot. I think locking in the crank puts the pistons at a neutral none at TDC position.
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...psc6665433.jpg
When I lined up the timing marks and locked the crank I had the valve covers off too. I noticed it was not TDC either. I think the marks are just arbitrary to keep things simple for installation of the belt, etc. I hope your valves are ok