Thread: Torquing/re-torquing cams

I'll just come right with it, I NEVER properly torqued my s4's 5 years ago when building my motor. 30k miles later and I'll soon be swapping my DE valve cover for VE....

QUESTION: if it ain't broke don't fix it?
Or loosen cam caps and torque to proper spec?

For 5 years this has been in the back of my head. Flame suit on for my noob-like idiocracy and potential criticism.

Thanks

Uhhhhh explain more. What was not torqued correctly? There are at least three different areas I can think of that need torqued when changing camshafts.

Every 2 bolts per cam cap, per cam. Spec is something small like 7in lbs (don't quote me). I simply tweaked em with a wrist jerk and called it good.

(I didn't have an in/lb torque wrench and stupidity took over)

If you have a torque wrench that goes to the low levels needs, than use it and go over the re-torque procedure, That won't hurt for sure, but a little fyi, it is a three step torque sequence for the cam caps.

What about the large cam bolts on the ends that attach the gears and also the small cover piece that goes above the top of the exhaust cam shaft and distributor meet. If you have no leaks or no problems, I would re-check with the proper tools or simply, leave alone.

The choice is yours!

No problems for 30k, Boostin like its my last day alive! :-D
The cam gear bolts are ft/lbs are they not?
Anything in/lbs wasn't torqued with the proper tool. Anything ft/lbs was.

Yes, the gears are roughly 100 ft-lbs.

Do you have the correct in-lbs torque wrench yet?

After reading so many horror stories concerning guys who snapped cams it literally took me 2 hours to button up all the caps. I was sweating horribly, having never done it before, and learning on my brand new $600 s4's. I may just leave em alone after all, lol!

As long as u went in the correct sequence and tightened them down at an even pace, I would not sweat it.

Especially after all those miles, seems like they are happy how they are. Might as well as check while you are there.

No, I still don't. That was the only time I've ever needed one and haven't needed one since. If opinions here strongly urged me to re-torque I'd either borrow a quality product from a friend, or just but one. More tools never hurt!!! :-)

Oh I def went in sequence and I turned each bolt in sequence maybe a 1/4-1/2 turn at a time, if that! I went super slow, super steady, and super even...in order, over and over and over till they were finally snug.