Cam follower on a AXX engine

[shoaybmakda]

Hi folks

Ive been doing a spot of reading on the cam follower change and just wondering does it need to be done on an AXX engine? There's a difference of opinion that the AXX ones didn't need it doing.

Also, does anyone of a write up or a video on how to change it on a AXX engine? The videos I've seen are for the 07 plate onwards

Many thanks

[GTIEagles]

It most certainly does need doing on an AXX engine. The banjo bolt will cause you the biggest headache but once you find the correct angle to tackle it, you can simply unscrew it with your fingers after it's been loosened off. I found this guide which covers all the tools you need: http://bd8ba3c866c8cbc330ab-7b26c6f3e01bf511d4da3315c66902d6.r6.cf1.rackcdn.com/FSI_Cam_Follower_Install.pdf

[shoaybmakda]

It most certainly does need doing on an AXX engine. The banjo bolt will cause you the biggest headache but once you find the correct angle to tackle it, you can simply unscrew it with your fingers after it's been loosened off. I found this guide which covers all the tools you need: http://bd8ba3c866c8cbc330ab-7b26c6f3e01bf511d4da3315c66902d6.r6.cf1.rackcdn.com/FSI_Cam_Follower_Install.pdf

Thank you so much for that my new cam follower should be coming on Tuesday so will use this guide to fit it myself.

On a side note, TPS in Leicester are dreadful. Rang them three times and the guy on the other end of be phone hung up. On the 4th occasion he said yes we have it in stock at £7 each. I said are you sure that's the right part there should only be one and it sits behind the HPFP. He said yeah. So I took the 6 mile trip to the TPS branch and the guy at the counter emerged With a sun visor clip and a ashtray and said this is what he's taken out for you. Not the first time Leicester TPS have messed me around and not sure it will be the last either!

[shoaybmakda]

Attempted changing the cam follower today and got as far as the banjo bolt and then gave up. Will need to find a good mechanic to do this as all the ones I know have said "too busy" - too busy or can't be asked? Lol

[dazza]

Attempted changing the cam follower today and got as far as the banjo bolt and then gave up. Will need to find a good mechanic to do this as all the ones I know have said "too busy" - too busy or can't be asked? Lol

Its not that hard just need the correct tools. Do you have an M8 triple square?

[GTIEagles]

Attempted changing the cam follower today and got as far as the banjo bolt and then gave up. Will need to find a good mechanic to do this as all the ones I know have said "too busy" - too busy or can't be asked? Lol

I was nearly on the verge of doing the same! But once you find the correct angle it's simple from then on. You have just got to be persistent with it! I found that rather than tackling it face on, tackle it from the side of the engine.

[dazza]

I changed my cam follower today. I also have an AXX but deleted the banjo bolt last year. TBH didn't really need to delete it as it was only a PITA the first time around. Like most jobs its always easier the second/third time around.

[shoaybmakda]

Attempted changing the cam follower today and got as far as the banjo bolt and then gave up. Will need to find a good mechanic to do this as all the ones I know have said "too busy" - too busy or can't be asked? Lol

I was nearly on the verge of doing the same! But once you find the correct angle it's simple from then on. You have just got to be persistent with it! I found that rather than tackling it face on, tackle it from the side of the engine.

I'm going to have another bash at it tomorrow if the weather holds up. I think I have the m8 somewhere so will hunt it down.

The first screw I undid let out quite a fair bit of fuel. Is this normal? I was a bit concerned that maybe I didn't need to completely unscrew it which kinda put me off continuing.

Was your old follower quite worn? My cars hit 115k and I'm anxious that it's never been done in the life of the car. Car drives fine now but part of me is still driving with some nerves!

[GTIEagles]

Attempted changing the cam follower today and got as far as the banjo bolt and then gave up. Will need to find a good mechanic to do this as all the ones I know have said "too busy" - too busy or can't be asked? Lol

I was nearly on the verge of doing the same! But once you find the correct angle it's simple from then on. You have just got to be persistent with it! I found that rather than tackling it face on, tackle it from the side of the engine.

I'm going to have another bash at it tomorrow if the weather holds up. I think I have the m8 somewhere so will hunt it down.

The first screw I undid let out quite a fair bit of fuel. Is this normal? I was a bit concerned that maybe I didn't need to completely unscrew it which kinda put me off continuing.

Was your old follower quite worn? My cars hit 115k and I'm anxious that it's never been done in the life of the car. Car drives fine now but part of me is still driving with some nerves!

Yeah that's completely normal, put an old rag underneath it to soak it up.

I changed mine at 104k miles expecting the worse but other than the protective layer wearing off, the follower itself was in pretty good shape. As long as the follower hasnt domed (meaning the camshaft would need replacing) and the camshaft lobe hasn't got wear on it, putting a new follower would make it as good as new.

[Scottymon]

1st time I did mine, I left it over night and made sure not to open the drivers door (primes the fuel pump) before proceeding, if you're wondering how you do that,  Long press on the Key Fob Opens the windows and you can reach in and grab the bonnet latch... very minimal fuel if any leakage that way, but a quick depressure is all it needs really.

[so1o]

It's not to hard if you take your time.

I will post a few pictures and hopefully it will make sense on how to get the banjo bolt undone.

If you have the m8 triple spline bit the same size as mine you can use a 10mm ring spanner on it. Makes it so much easier to undo. Hope it makes sense.

[shoaybmakda]

Thanks for all your help guys. I was just nervous about the fuel thinking I was doing something wrong.

I'm sure I have a set of bits that I can use lying around somewhere. Will fish it out tomorrow hopefully the weather holds out.

Had no idea about the door though! Will open the bonnet on the stealth 

[dazza]

Its always worth checking the cam follower. This is how my follower looked when i got the car a year ago. Yet to see one in a worse state than this.

Also added a pic of the follower i took out today after one year/5000 km.

\

[shoaybmakda]

That looks quite worn through! I'm hoping that mine doesn't look that bad but at least if it is I can show my mechanic who thinks it doesn't need changing that I wasn't going on about it for no reason!

[Roadrebel]

I checked mine at 116k and there was nothing wrong with it.

You may want to wrap some tape round the bit so it doesnt fall through the spanner and disappear in some dark corner!