It is time to get my 2.8 30v b5 avant back up and running. I want to go ahead and replace gaskets, hoses, seals, and anything else that I deem worthy of replacement. I have owned this car for almost 7 years but it has sat for the last year after it developed a coolant leak that I determined was coming from the engine's rear. With moving 1000 miles, finishing school, starting a new job, rebuilding the engine in my current daily driver, swapping a manual transmission into my Nissan S13 convertible, I neglected my beloved Audi for the last year and I feel like it is time I make it up to her.

I work at a independent auto repair shop as a tech and have access to a wide array of tools but no VW/Audi specific tools. I plan to buy the timing belt tools and would like to know if there is anything else I might want to pick up that will make overhauling this engine easier.

My plan is to pull the engine, replace any and all o-rings, vacuum hoses, coolant hoses, gaskets, coolant flush, etc. I don't want to take the car to the shop where I work because I plan to take my time and do not want to tie up one of the lifts for weeks and have my boss less than pleased with me.

My main concern is pulling the engine with only jacks and jack stands (I have a hoist and engine stand). From what I have researched, everyone says that getting at the bell housing bolts is not easy especially since the car will not be on a lift. In fact, most of what I have read about pulling the 2.8 suggests taking the engine and transmission out together. I would prefer to leave the transmission in the car.

If I pull the cylinder heads and intake off with the engine still in the car, will I be able to get at the top bell housing bolts easily?

Does the 2.8 have alusil cylinder walls like the 4.2 or does it have regular sleeves that can be honed. If not, is it a good idea to put new rings on the pistons and hone the cylinder walls? Or just leave them alone. Engine has over 180,000 miles but ran smooth and strong before I took it out of commission because of the coolant leak.

I know this seems like a lot of work and money to spend on a 15+ year old car but I would rather daily drive a b5 avant than any other car out there. If anyone has any advice or wisdom they would like to pass on to me before I start my winter project please feel free to share.

I already evacuated the a/c, drained all fluids, removed the front bumper and have full access to the front of the engine.

Thanks for reading.

 

I forgot to add that the one of the head gaskets was leaking a tiny bit of oil and the oil pan was also leaking some oil, so the gaskets need to be changed.

 

Hey there, so disappointing to see you got no replies. I'm getting ready to pull the motor from my '99 A6 Quattro Avant (C5) and was wondering if you have any pointers/advice or links to any step-by-steps? I have a coolant leak from inside the bellhousing, from the back of the engine block and don't see any way around pulling it at this stage. Would you recommend pulling the motor or dropping the transmission? Mine is the 2.8L 30V V6.

Thanks in advance!