First question I have is how common is the 3.0L V6? I haven't been able to find too many people with my engine.

Second question, I recently bought an 2002 A6 3.0L Quattro. It had a few problems when I first bought it, one was the catalytic converter on the driver's side wasn't performing well and the other was an erratically reading temp sensor. I don't have the code but that was what the VAG-COM read out. And now my temp gauge is stuck on 'cold' can its a 118 out today... I don't believe it.

Is it just a bad sensor that was on it's way out that needs to be replaced? If so, where is this bad boy? Is it a similar setup to what the AEB has with it on the rear of the block or is it else where?

Thanks!

 

It's most likely a bad temp sensor it is on the back of the engine block slightly on the passenger side. You can order a new one from partsgeek.com for about $30.The cap on mine is green (older sensors may be a different color) and there is a U shaped retainer you need to pull out
If you can, purchase a new retainer in case you loose it pulling it out and make sure it comes with an O-Ring. It's very tight in there.

I have the same car. Put it in S often to burn the carbon out of the heads I drive mine in S now becuase I'm all city driving. The 3.0 is a PITA nowhere as good as my 4.2. I like the car though. You should get a repair manual on dvd from blauparts.com or bentleypublishers.com it's a huge help. Make sure your T-belt, rollers,tensioner,waterpump has been done. That job is the reason everyone sells these cars.

 

I just bought the car from Audi. The woman that had traded it in was actually picking up her new A4 that day and we met and spoke for a few seconds. The timing belt, rollers, water pump, thermostat, tensioners all got replaced at 89,000... Audi pulled out about 10 pages of service records. The lady only got it services at Audi... so besides those 2 little things... I think I got a good deal. I was able to get Audi to pay for the new catalytic converter... therefore I have to put it in. Which should be fun... If anyone has any pictures or experience... please email me!
C

 

You're in for some good, fun time indeed. Make sure you PBlast the bolts in advance, otherwise you're in for anything else but fun.
You got three at the flange between the exhaust heads and the downpipes, three more at the Y-connection to disconnect the passenger side cat - otherwise you need to drop them both if those are too rusted, though eventually you'll still have to remove them; and three more at the flange connecting the cats to the intermediary pipe.
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Not an A6, but I bought my daughter a 2003 A4 3.0l MT6 last August with 69k and it's now up to 74k. The only issue is that is occasionally throws a CEL for a misfire, but that goes away after a few hundred miles. No other known issues. I plan on doing the TB around 80k miles which should be next summer. No problems with sensors or gauges. PS - I looked at a lot of A4s before I found the condition/price combination I wanted.