Starter motor and shift cable - last 2 pieces of the engine pull frustrating me.

[905084]

Ok, last two pieces to drop the motor. The positive lead to the starter (and solenoid) and the shift cable ball joint connection are frustrating me. Any one with any experience for these last 2 pieces? It's a 14mm nut and I can get on it, just can't turn it. Thanks!

13571

[kevin]

disconnect the cable on the other end up by the coolant tank. larger pry bar works on the cable, access it from above while dropping assembly.

[905084]

Thanks Kevin. Probably what I will have to do. I just can't believe that the starter won't come out. I can't even find the other starter mounting bolt. Ugh!!

[ttboost]

Sorry..laughing softly...with you..not at you......ECU and harness comes out and lays on top of engine...all wiring on the passenger side cowl which is positive power cables from battery and to the starter need to come out...then there is a ground strap on the bottom of the frame, on the passenger side, above the alternator area..that ground cable goes to the mounting "foot' of the starter. Should not have to disconnect anything on the starter itself.
good luck...

[905084]

Got all the ECU apart and on the motor no problem (well, except for the fact that half of it crumbled in my hands). Grounding strap was easy, but the starter is killing me. So from what I understand, the only way to replace the starter in our beast is to......remove the motor and take off either the oil filter mount or right exhaust manifold? Yikes!! Ok, trying to get my brain around how deep I'm in here. Thanks all....this thing is.....tight!

[ttboost]

Once you remove all the power cables in the passenger side cowl, you're all set...forget about the starter.

[kevin]

Engine cradle r&r to replace starter.

[905084]

I looked at that and that will work, thanks. I was just thinking if I had to replace the starter (high failure item in other cars I've had) I thought it could be done without going back to the firewall.

[hahnmgh63]

If you disconnect the two large oil cooler lines going to the Oil filter mount the end piece that the oil filter threads onto will unscrew and give you over an inch of extra room allowing you to remove the starter. There is a large O-ring that seals it on the backside.

[905084]

Thanks....H I'm thinking that's what I need to do.

[ttboost]

Engine cradle r&r to replace starter.

Yup..dropping K frame will get you access to most everything. Let the engine just sit on engine mounts...Starter bolts come from each direction...

[SteveKen]

You can get to the nut for the starter (which should be 13mm and not 14mm) from the front with a long extension (like 12 - 18 in.) and a swivel socket. You should be able to see it looking at it from the front of the car.

As for the ball & socket, just pull on it very hard or get at it with some type of lever and it will pop off.

[905084]

You can get to the nut for the starter (which should be 13mm and not 14mm) from the front with a long extension (like 12 - 18 in.) and a swivel socket. You should be able to see it looking at it from the front of the car.

As for the ball & socket, just pull on it very hard or get at it with some type of lever and it will pop off.

Zach Lee!! It was 13mm. Would have been easier with a 1/4" drive but managed with 3/8". Cable popped off as you said. Oh I do hope I can get all this back together, if not, look for parts in 6 months.

[905084]

Thanks all!!

13576

[kday]

Nice!

Did you have any problems with the oil cooler lines? I'm afraid to undo mine from the cooler, expecting galling on the aluminum threads.

[Brav]

Congrats! Balls of steel!

[mdegracia]

Damn, you did it on jack stands! Nice work!

[905084]

No problem at all with the oil cooler lines or any of the others. Missed one connector to the upper left oxygen sensor and ripped the wires out of the connector. It was detached, but still on the firewall mount.

1357713578

Somewhere in Neckarsulm a German is weeping.....

Actually on a lift....makes life fairly easy.

[ben916]

Ah, did I miss something?!?! Why are removing your engine?

[905084]

Thing 2 started having trans issues similar to Thing 1 Ben. My patch that is still working for Thing 1 didn't work for Thing 2 (it was undriveable) so I figured I'd give the trans a shot. I've got a supposedly good trans from a wrecked RS from a member on here, and it looked like it had been rebuilt so I'm going to try that one. While I'm at it, Scroll turbo rebuild, Wags, and all the little nitpicky things that a car with 188k on it needs.

I'll either get it finished this year, or you'll start seeing parts show up for sale ;)

[ttboost]

Good time to start collecting 6 speed swap parts...

[ben916]

Good time to start collecting 6 speed swap parts...

Yep, he is getting "practice" right now :)

[ttboost]

Anyone doing this kind of work, with no lift, etc...has unusually large testcycles...

[905084]

The RS is sitting on a 4 post lift, just hung the front off and worked quite well. All I can say is, holy crap this thing is complex.

13582

13583

[ttboost]

Yeah...not as fun as one might think...

[kevin]

No, not so much fun at all. My motivation comes from the finished product though. I look at my RS6 resting comfortably under its covers and think to myself, here we go again!!

At least I have the facilities to handle the swap with ease. Whereas most of you fellow owners have to do it the hard way.

[ttboost]

No, not so much fun at all. My motivation comes from the finished product though. I look at my RS6 resting comfortably under its covers and think to myself, here we go again!!

At least I have the facilities to handle the swap with ease. Whereas most of you fellow owners have to do it the hard way.

Yup. I've had my engine and trans out a few times in 3 years..kinda tired of it. I'm hoping with the manaul swap, I'm good for a while. I also have the facilities to do it easily....not sure I would be that motivated to do it otherwise... Drive it all day today...

[905084]

New? trans delivered by Kubota....

13620

[mik15]

good luck with the project! Where did you get the trans from? is it a rebuilt one? I might have some parts that i bought and eventually didn't get used because i ordered them in two places just be sure that i get it on time and ended up buying two sets :), brand new original from Audi so i think i am going to put it up for sale, mainly small bits, like turbo gaskets, valve cover gaskets, turbos studs/nuts, and some other, i will make a full list as soon as i collect the car from my mechanic, but if you're interested let me know!

[4everRS]

Nice. Delivered by Kubota. :)

What kind of flooring do you have, and do you like it? I've been considering Epoxy for mine, but I'm not completely decided on it.

[905084]

Trans should be newer from Audi....I'll take the risk...got the turbo oil output? gaskets but need all the others. Flooring are squares from Home Depot....worked good in a warm weather climate but if I had the chance to do it over, I would highly recommend the Epoxy.

[hahnmgh63]

I've Epoxied my shop and highly recommend it. But take care when wet as it can get slick, but oils and fuel, hot or cold just wipe up. The only thing I know that affects it is 100% Isopropyl Alcohol, it will cause it to bubble up.

[905084]

Turbos looked great for 188k (but what the hell do I know). Packed and ready to go to Scroll.

136331363413635

[kevin]

Hot side looks like it has a hairline crack.

[905084]

Holy $$$$ ....Kevin...you had me out of the house like a bolt....luckily....just a small scratch....probably speaks to my mechanical skill....

13636

[ttboost]

188k is a 188k..send them out...

[905084]

Oh they are going......but Thing 1 won't get the same treatment with only 108k.