Volvo 6-cylinder VVT engine: Cam Settings

Let’s talk Cam Settings

boosted5cyl » Need some help setting this on my car, the old markings seem to contradict the instructions in VADIS.

VADIS wrote:Installing the timing gear pulley
Timing gear pulleys with variable valve timing unit
Slacken off, but do not remove the screws which secure the timing gear pulley to the variable valve timing unit.
Press the variable valve timing unit / timing gear onto the camshaft.
Install the centre screw which secures the variable valve timing unit to the camshaft. Do not tighten yet.
Position the upper timing cover.

Turn the timing gear pulley clockwise until the screws at the oval holes are in the limit position.
Continue turning clockwise until the timing gear pulley marking is 1 ½cogbefore the marking on the upper timing cover.
Check that the timing gear pulley is still in its limit position at the oval holes.

Tighten the centre screw for the variable valve timing (VVT) unit. Tighten to 120 Nm. Check that the variable valve timing unit does not rotate when tightening.
Install the centre plug. Tighten to 35 Nm.

VADIS

To me, this means turn the “outside” wheel clockwise, ie the toothed part until its 1 1/2 cogs before the mark on the timing cover. The result of this however is that the bolts are on the left side of the oval holes, which is the complete opposite to where they were originally which you can see marked in white out. From the white out you can see the bolts were neither fully right nor left when i pulled it apart. For what its worth, I was throwing a VVT solenoid code before the job, maybe this was the issue?

Anyway, my question is: Should the bolts be on the left side of the holes (turn toothed part clockwise) or right (turn “inner” part clockwise”). The pic included in VADIS doesn’t help in this regard.

Cam Settings – The Answer

Here’s how our very sharp Forum Moderator JDS60R does the very important lining-everything-up work on a Volvo 6-cylinder VVT engine (S80 and some others). This is generally done during a timing belt change.

1. Lock cams.
2. Loosen outer pulley 3 bolts.
3. Turn outer pulley clockwise to limit position while holding center.
4. Lightly lock down 3 pulley bolts.
5. Put center bolt in and lightly tighten.
6. Turn outer pulley clockwise until it stops.
7. Lightly loosen center bolt so it still has drag but you can turn inner.
8. Turn outer pulley one turn (clockwise) until outer pulley mark is 1.5 teeth before mark.
9. Tighten center bolt to spec without moving 1.5 tooth relationship of outer (just hold inner pulley while tightening -very easy).
10. Install center plug with o ring -tighten to spec.
11. Hold inner putting pressure clockwise so it does not move.
12. Loosen 3 outer pulley bolts and align marks.
13. Tighten 3 pulley bolts to spec.
14. Unlock cams.
15. Reassemble.
16. Check timing marks through several hand revolutions of motor.
17. Remember to go past marks 90 degrees and then back to them on all VVT motors ( once it has been pressurized/run)

Read more about this advice, and the original question, in the Volvo Forum: Confused on Setting the VVT in my ’99 T6
Cam Settings

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