P6 2000 camshaft bearings replacement.

heapy

Member
Hello as above. Is it possible to replace the cam bearings without having to renew the head gasket again as it was replaced last year ( a tidy gaskets for classics one) . IE is there a trick to doing them or will it disturb it?
Thanks.
 
You can follow the same procedure used for the tappet adjustment. It is described in the factory manual. What you do is remove one bearing cap at a time (there is a specific order, otherwise you may snap the camshaft), replace each bearing cam with suitable spacers, retorque the cyl head bolts. In this way you avoid to unsettle the head gasket. When you have removed all the bearing caps and the camshaft is free, you can replace the bearings, and replace all the caps, one by one following the reverse procedure.
 
All as above, but it reduces the risk of problems afterwards if you drain the coolant beforehand.
 
Just to add, follow the workshop manual in locking the crankshaft timing and ensure on reassembly that the camshaft is correctly timed as per the manual.
 
I would make sure you have the camshaft locked in the EP position and follow the order for swapping out the bearing caps. For spacers I use oversized nuts. Take out one head bolt and heat to the hardware store and buy a box that fits over the head bolt. You will need two per head bolt.

I have never bothered to drain the coolant when doing valve adjustments. Just do not do more than one pair of head bolts out at a time and you should have no problem.

Check the valve clearances before you start. If they need adjustment now is the time to do with the cam shaft off. However the question is will the new bearings alter the clearance to any great degree. I would check afterwards just to be sure.
 
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