Cylinder Head / Camshaft query A80

[Andy Orchard]

Hi. Can anyone offer advice on the following? My local garage has replaced the head gasket for my 1993 Audi A80 cabriolet.  This of course involved removing the cylinder head. However, they also removed the camshaft and managed to snap 2 of the 4 camshaft holders in the process, which we're having massive difficulty in sourcing replacements for.  I'm left wondering - is it necessary to remove a camshaft whilst replacing a head gasket? Another engineer I spoke to suggested it wasn't.  Does anyone know who's right here?

[Steve Q]

Hi Andy, sorry for the delayed reply. I've never heard of removing the camshaft to replace a head gasket. The purpose of the gasket is to run around the edge of the engine and head. 

I wonder if they have removed the cam incorrectly in the process in order to cause the damage. 

I've found this YouTube video on an Audi 90 engine which might be useful: 

Hope I've helped :) 

Cheers

Steve 

[Andy Orchard]

Thanks Steve - and excuse my belated reply.  My mechanic says this may be the case on the later Audis, but for my 1993 you cannot access the bolts for the cylinder head without first removing the camshaft.  Does that make sense?