sooprdv
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2002
- Location
- NEW JERSEY
My 97 Passat Tdi has been off the road for 3 years.It had developed a noise in the engine that turned out to be a soft lifter.When I tried to reassemble I cracked cam caps.I realize that caps are machined with head and cannot be purchased seperately.We went and bought new 03 Jette TDI.Now I decided to get Passat back on road.I got cheap and bought a set of used caps from same 1z motor. Tried to reassemble again being more cautious and cracked them again.I will probably just buy a new head(saw one on EBAY for $950 hope it's still there).Is there a secret to tightening these caps?I did them gradually going down the line with torque wrench set at 10lbs and still they cracked.I am no ASE certified mechanic but with the help of this site I repaired the 03 which had 5 bent valves(timing belt puked at 79000 miles,not knowing auto trans good for 60000),and I have put 35000 miles since,must have done something right.I did not have this problem with the 03.Any help would be appreciated Thanks Dave