Cam adjuster sealing rings.

[Graham1990]

Hello everyone,

I’m still trying to cure my p000a code. I’ve got the cam chain cover off and inspected the sealing rings. The one at the bottom of the three had a bit missing. The other two looked fine but the bottom recess where the ring sits looks to me like it has been chipped/damaged and there is still the remainder of a ring stuck in the recess. I’m no expert but I wouldn’t of thought it should look the way it does. I’ve got a picture but don’t know how to attach it onto a post. If anyone wants to have a look please let me know and I can either text you a pic or let me know how to upload it for all to see and I will do. Cheers 👍

[pudding]

That does sound like the cause to me.  Create a flickr account or something and upload it there 

[Graham1990]

I’ve spoken to a vw tech today. He said he has never replaced one but he said it shouldn’t be like that. Looks like someone has had a go at getting the bottom ring out of it somewhen with mole grips a hammer and chisel 😆. Apparently all three rings should be able to spin freely in the little recess they sit in. Vw don’t sell the cam chain casing on its own of course! You have to buy a kit which comes with the adjuster, gasket and a few bits for £498. Luckily I rang r-tech to let them know I still haven’t sorted my problem and he put me in contact with a guy who brakes a lot of mk5 golfs and I have bought a cam chain casing for £110. Fingers crossed when I get it all back together no more codes and hopefully it will idle a bit better to 👍.

[pudding]

Yep spot on, the rings should all rotate freely in their channels    I would always replace them.  You will be amazed how flexible and springy a brand new set is compared to a 10 year old, brittle, crumbly set.

Glad you found a new cover!  £110 is a tad rich though.  I got one off ebay for £40 and threw it in the dishwasher, came up like new 

[Graham1990]

Yep spot on, the rings should all rotate freely in their channels    I would always replace them.  You will be amazed how flexible and springy a brand new set is compared to a 10 year old, brittle, crumbly set.

Glad you found a new cover!  £110 is a tad rich though.  I got one off ebay for £40 and threw it in the dishwasher, came up like new 

I got this one off eBay. Maybe people are realising vw don’t sell them separate and whacking the prices up lol. Ahh well as long as it fixes my problem I’ll be happy. The ones I had in mine were metal so I assume someone damaged the casing trying to remove the old plastic ones or trying to put them metal ones in somehow. I got some from vw and they gave me metal ones so they will be going in. What’s the best way of getting them onto that shaft? Just push them into the recess? It looks like they will stretch to far and break lol. I found the two metal ones that where on the shaft were quite difficult to get off. If I had a dishwasher I would chuck it in before I fit it lol

[pudding]

Yep spot on, the rings should all rotate freely in their channels    I would always replace them.  You will be amazed how flexible and springy a brand new set is compared to a 10 year old, brittle, crumbly set.

Glad you found a new cover!  £110 is a tad rich though.  I got one off ebay for £40 and threw it in the dishwasher, came up like new 

I got this one off eBay. Maybe people are realising vw don’t sell them separate and whacking the prices up lol. Ahh well as long as it fixes my problem I’ll be happy. The ones I had in mine were metal so I assume someone damaged the casing trying to remove the old plastic ones or trying to put them metal ones in somehow. I got some from vw and they gave me metal ones so they will be going in. What’s the best way of getting them onto that shaft? Just push them into the recess? It looks like they will stretch to far and break lol. I found the two metal ones that where on the shaft were quite difficult to get off. If I had a dishwasher I would chuck it in before I fit it lol

Metal?  Interesting!  Mine are plastic (2007 plate) and the cover I got off ebay (off a 2005 AXX) were also plastic.  Never seen metal ones!  Maybe they were breaking easily, hence switching to plastic!

Think of them as piston rings, so gently walk them over the ridges until they slot into the channels.  As you say, if you stretch them too far, they will snap.

[Graham1990]

Yep spot on, the rings should all rotate freely in their channels    I would always replace them.  You will be amazed how flexible and springy a brand new set is compared to a 10 year old, brittle, crumbly set.

Glad you found a new cover!  £110 is a tad rich though.  I got one off ebay for £40 and threw it in the dishwasher, came up like new 

I got this one off eBay. Maybe people are realising vw don’t sell them separate and whacking the prices up lol. Ahh well as long as it fixes my problem I’ll be happy. The ones I had in mine were metal so I assume someone damaged the casing trying to remove the old plastic ones or trying to put them metal ones in somehow. I got some from vw and they gave me metal ones so they will be going in. What’s the best way of getting them onto that shaft? Just push them into the recess? It looks like they will stretch to far and break lol. I found the two metal ones that where on the shaft were quite difficult to get off. If I had a dishwasher I would chuck it in before I fit it lol

Metal?  Interesting!  Mine are plastic (2007 plate) and the cover I got off ebay (off a 2005 AXX) were also plastic.  Never seen metal ones!  Maybe they were breaking easily, hence switching to plastic!

Think of them as piston rings, so gently walk them over the ridges until they slot into the channels.  As you say, if you stretch them too far, they will snap.

Thank you, yes the ones in there were metal and the new ones vw gave me are also metal. Inside the adjuster you can see grooves were the rings must sit. I’m not sure if that is wear and need replacing or if the rings expand to sit in the grooves. I suppose it should be ok as the rings will fill the grooves up anyway.