Is this a New Common MK7 Engine Issue?

The MK7 GTI is one of the most reliable VWs in a very long time. In this video, we look at a failure that has become more common. The failure of intake camshafts and cam phasers is becoming more common on 1.8t engines, especially ones that are burning oil. In this video, we explain the problem, what's failing and how to diagnose a bad intake cam.

Links Talked about in this video.

MK7 Intake Cam Replacement Kit

OBDeleven Next Gen (iOS and Android) Pro

2.0t TSI Timing Chain Special Tool Kit

T10355 Crank Holder Tool

Gen 3 Spool Valve Socket (V2)

Gen 3 Spool Valve Socket (V4)

Tensioner Adjustment Lever for VW T40243

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0:00 How Camshafts Work
2:07 MK7 Camshaft Issues
2:59 How to Diag
5:04 Closer Look at the Camshaft
7:00 Overview of Repair Process

[Deutscheautoparts]

Thanks so much for watching! Here are some of the links we mentioned.

OBDeleven Next Gen (iOS and Android) Pro

MK7 Intake Cam Replacement Kit

2.0t TSI Timing Chain Special Tool Kit

T10355 Crank Holder Tool

Gen 3 Spool Valve Socket (V2)

Gen 3 Spool Valve Socket (V4)

Tensioner Adjustment Lever for VW T40243

[yankumarrah]

Paul having a crisis over lack of oil in these engines brightens my day 😅

[michaelw]

Pro tip to make installing the cam cage easier: find some long bolts with the same thread/pitch as two of the stock screws that secure it to the engine and cut the heads off. Insert these long bolts so that they’re effectively studs. Use these studs to perfectly line up the cam cage to guarantee that your sealant gets sandwiched in place perfectly with zero lateral movement. Insert hardware, remove studs, and off you go.

[benjaminboyer]

I'm getting that oil is causing all kinds of problems in engines, definitely going to go get rid of all of mine so my timing phasors don't make noise

[abruechert]

Very good video and makes the point of OIL LEVEL! However, the noise, usually on start up, or while running, indicated the failed camshaft adjuster unit as stated. The "hunting" value block is 99% of the time caused by the magnet itself sticking due to sludged oil stuck in the solenoid plunger from the car being ran low on oil or infrequent oil changes. If you have the faults with a hunting idle and value block, replace the magnet.

[Treizez]

I just had to change the camshaft magnet on my S3 because I kept getting Camshaft timing over advanced error codes and check engine lights. The part was super cheap and replacing it is easy. Doing this also smoothed out throttle response and improved MPGs. No need to replace the camshaft as the adjuster and magnet itself was the culprit. Always start with the cheap and easy work first to see if that fixes your issue. Replacing Cams should be a last resort if everything else doesn't fix it.

For good measure, I checked the valve solenoid to ensure there were no issues with the part itself, gave it a brake fluid bath, and reinstalled it. All good now for the last couple thousand miles.

[Tcflohr]

I'm at 170k miles on my mk7 GTI. Thank you for including obdeleven methods of checking. Good to know it doesn't grenade the engine if it's caught.

[jonyu]

Bought my 18 GTI Se Dsg new. Currently have 124k miles. No oil burning. 7500-8k mile oil changes. Never done carbon cleaning. Still smooth.

[iant]

Hi, Audi tech here. We get cars rolling in with this problem pretty often. We never replace the camshaft tho we just replace the plungers and the magnets. This solves the problem. Just replaced them on a Golf R this saturday and it's running like new.

[atubebuff]

How Paul never made it as a stand-up comic i'll never known. I look forward to these videos for the great info and the occasional chuckle-snort.

[MikekiM]

We’ve seen this issues several times now on both 1.8 and 2.0 engines at our shop. Not super common but definitely something to keep an eye out for if you’ve got timing faults.

[josh]

I had a similar issue with hunting, but it was just because the cam magnet was bad!
The old owner didn’t keep up with oil changes so it got junked up and couldn’t move properly. New cam magnet installed (just takes a couple of minutes) and now the specified and actual values are within 0.5 of each other 🎉

[chaseedgren]

I've experience the electronic magnet nipple that actuates the cam adjustment valve sticking too. Causing same faults. A nice easy check before going to the full camshaft

[dwvw]

I had this issue in my 2016 R. The screen on the oil control valve was ripped. Lucky no debris caused damage. Oil level was fine. I am now considering this a consumable part and will be changing them every 100, 000 km's no matter what. The part isn't very expensive and once you have the proper tool to change them it takes about the same amount of time as an oil change. I see lots of posts on the Facebook Groups about people having this issue.

[stagea]

So just completed this job on my A4 with Gen3 motor - just wanted to say thanks for the video as it was spot on with the problem i had with my car. replaced both Exhaust and Intake cams (both had scoring on the snout part) with new spool valves, adjusters and timing kit at the same time.
cars runs like new now - :)
Thanks again

[andrastrager]

Nice to see this problem. I have an 1.8T from gen3 in my Skoda, and now I will watch my oil level more often. Thank you!

[Mr_Frazza]

That was gold, Pro tip "Check your F*&k3n oil" Who would have thought, haha

[HypocriticYT]

Years ago a friend in the 90’s had a Passat, and he always had the maintenance up to date. However the engine grenades due to an old timing belt. Dealership was going to charge him for repairs until he took out his owners maintenance log and the dealership had stamped that he had gotten the timing belt replaced 😊. They had charged for the work but never did it 😮

[brownone]

You guys recently replaced my intake cam. No problems since then! Amazing shop

[LSLebreux]

This has to be your best video so far. I laugh so much but it was important and educative at the same time