VAG ACK — 2.8L V6 30V DOHC Engine
2.8L V6 30V DOHC · 193 hp · 280 Nm
Values cited from a licensed workshop database.
On the ACK, spark plug: 30 Nm (use only Bosch FR6KPP332S or NGK BKR6EQUP).
Engine overview
Manufacturer
VAG
Displacement
2.8 L
Configuration
V6 30V DOHC
Power
193 hp
Torque
280 Nm
Production years
1996-2001
Fuel type
Petrol
Vehicles with this engine
Known failures & weak points
Timing belt interval is about 120,000 km (75,000 miles), not 90,000 km. It's an interference V6 — belt failure bends valves — so always fit a full kit with tensioners, idlers, and water pump.
Cam adjusters wear/seize → rattle at startup, eventual loss of variable timing → low power.
PCV diaphragm cracks → vacuum leak → rough idle, codes P0171/P0174.
Coil packs fail individually — misfire codes P0301-P0306.
Crankshaft sensor (G28) failure → no-start. Common at 150-200k km.
Throttle body actuator (drive-by-wire) — adaptation reset needed after cleaning.
Common torque specifications
| Head Bolts | M11 — 40 Nm + 90° + 90° (TTY) unconfirmed |
|---|---|
| Crank Pulley Bolt | 200 Nm + 180° (TTY) — very tight, use holding tool unconfirmed |
| Cam Chain Tensioner | 60 Nm unconfirmed |
| Spark Plug | 30 Nm (use only Bosch FR6KPP332S or NGK BKR6EQUP) |
| Connecting Rod Bolts | 30 Nm |
| Flywheel Bolts | 60 Nm |
Figures marked unconfirmed could not be cross-checked against a workshop source. Verify against the vehicle’s own documentation before tightening.
Factory specifications
Values from the manufacturer documentation for this engine.
Engine (general)
| Engine code | ACK |
| Capacity | 2771 cc |
| Idle speed | 710 - 860 620 - 740 rpm |
| Normal | 9.0 - 14.0 bar |
| Minimum | 7.5 bar |
| Differential limit between cylinders | < 3.0 bar |
| Oil pressure | 2.0 / 2000 bar/rpm |
Engine (petrol)
| Fuel system (make and type) | Bosch Motronic M3.8.2 |
| Number of cylinders | 6 |
| Firing order | 1 - 4 - 3 - 6 - 2 - 5 |
| Timing stroboscopic (before TDC) | 9 - 15 °/rpm |
| Ignition coil resistance, secondary | 8000 - 14000 ohms |
| Spark plugs (make and type) | NGK BKR6EKUB |
| Spark plug gap | 0.8 mm |
| Spark plugs (make and type) | VW/Aud 101 000 033 AA, 101 000 051 AA NGK BKUR6ET-10 Bosch F7LTCR |
| Spark plug gap | 0.9 - 1.1 mm |
| Injection pressure/system pressure | 3.2 - 3.8 3.8 - 4.2 bar |
| CO exhaust gas | < 0.5 % |
| Lambda | 0.97 - 1.03 |
| Lambda change (Delta Lambda) | 0.03 |
| Oil temperature during test | 80 °C |
| Fast-idle speed | 2500 - 2800 rpm |
| CO at fast-idle speed | < 0.3 % |
| Closed-loop test at: | 610 - 960 rpm |
| Closed-loop test at: | 520 - 840 rpm |
| Conditioning catalytic converter | 2 / 2500 min/rpm |
Cooling system
| Cap pressure | 1.4 - 1.6 bar |
| Thermostat opens at | 86 °C |
| Stage 1/Fan 1 | 92 - 97 °C |
| Stage 2/Fan 2 | 99 - 105 °C |
Electrical
| Battery | 63 Ah |
| Alternator | 90 / 120 A |
Brakes
| Disc thickness, front | FN3: 25.0 HP2: 30.0 mm |
| Disc thickness (ventilated), front, min. | FN3: 23.0 HP2: 28.0 mm |
| Disc thickness, rear | 10.0 mm |
| Disc thickness, rear, min. | 8.0 mm |
| Disc thickness, rear | 22.0 mm |
| Disc thickness, rear, min. | 20.0 mm |
Steering and wheel alignment
| Toe-in, front | 0° 10' ± 0° 02' ° |
| Camber, front | -0° 50' ± 0° 25' ° |
| Max. difference | 0° 30' ° |
| Toe-in, rear | 0° 20' +0° 15' / -0° 10' ° |
| Toe-in, rear | 0° 08' ± 0° 05' ° |
| Toe-in, rear | 1BG: 0° 26' +0° 15' / -0° 10' ° |
| Camber, rear | -1° 30' ± 0° 20' ° |
| Camber, rear | -0° 40' ± 0° 30' 1BG: -1° 10' ± 0° 30' ° |
| Camber, front | 1BE: -1° 05' ± 0° 25' ° |
| Toe-in, rear | 0° 28' +0° 15' / -0° 10' ° |
| Camber, front | 1BB: -0° 35' ± 0° 25' 1BT: -0° 45' ± 0° 25' ° |
| Toe-in, rear | 1BB: 0° 14' +0° 15' / -0° 10' 1BT: 0° 17' +0° 15' / -0° 10' ° |
Wheels and tyres
| Tyre size | 205 / 60 R15 |
Capacities
| Engine sump, incl. filter | 5.5 l |
| Manual transmission | 012 / 01W |
| Gearbox refill | 2.25 l |
| Manual transmission | 01A |
| Gearbox refill | 2.7 l |
| Automatic transmission | 01V |
| Gearbox refill | 2.6 - 3.0 l |
| Differential | 0.8 l |
| Differential, 4WD rear | 1.9 l |
| Transfer box | 0.8 l |
| CVT transmission | 01J |
| Gearbox refill | 4.5 - 5.0 l |
| Cooling system | 8.0 l |
| Air-conditioner refrigerant | 800 - 850 (-> 11/1997) 850 - 900 (11/1997 - 08/1998) g |
| Air-conditioner refrigerant | 750 - 800 (08/1998 - 04/1999) g |
| Air-conditioner refrigerant | 650 - 700 (04/1999 ->) g |
| Air-conditioner compressor oil | 250 - 300 ml |
Torque settings
| Cylinder head bolts — Stage 1 | 60 Nm |
| Cylinder head bolts — Stage 2 | 180 ° |
| Oxygen sensor | 50 Nm |
| Exhaust manifold | 25 Nm |
| Inlet manifold | 10 Nm |
| Oil plug | 30 Nm |
| Flywheel | 60 Nm + 90° 60 Nm + 180° Nm |
| Knock sensor | 20 Nm |
| Big-end bearing cap | 30 Nm + 90° Nm |
| Big-end bearing cap | M8: 30 Nm + 90° M8.5: 40 Nm + 90° Nm |
| Spark plugs | 30 Nm |
| Front hub | M14: 115 Nm + 180° M16: 190 Nm + 180° |
| Rear hub | M14: 115 Nm + 180° M16: 190 Nm + 180° |
| Wheel bolts | 120 Nm |
| Crankshaft gearwheel | 200 Nm + 180° Nm |
Emissions
| Emission code | 70/220*1996/69 |
| Emission standard | Euro 2 (07/1999 ->) |
| CO2 average | 233 - 235 g/km |
| CO | 0.223 g/km |
| HC NOx | 0.100 g/km |
| Emission code | 70/220*1999/102 |
| Emission standard | Euro 3 (04/2000 ->) |
| CO2 average | 235 g/km |
| CO | 0.216 g/km |
| HC | 0.042 g/km |
| NOx | 0.034 g/km |
| Emission code | 70/220*1999/102B |
| Emission standard | Euro 4 (07/2000 ->) |
| Emission standard | Euro 2 (10/1997 ->) |
| CO2 average | 238 - 240 g/km |
| CO | 0.045 - 1.074 g/km |
| HC NOx | 0.085 - 0.349 g/km |
| CO | 0.301 g/km |
| HC | 0.037 g/km |
| NOx | 0.049 g/km |
| CO2 average | 259 g/km |
| CO | 0.581 g/km |
| HC NOx | 0.229 g/km |
Engine codes in the same family
The same code prefix usually means the same block with a different output, fuel or model year. Procedures are often shared — check the code on the engine plate.
Workshop procedures for this engine
Step-by-step procedures from the workshop database, carrying 500 torque figures.
- Removing and installing toothed belt · 56 torque figures
- Removing engine · 41 torque figures
- Removing and installing coolant pump · 53 torque figures
- Installing engine · 36 torque figures
- Removing, installing and tensioning toothed belt · 29 torque figures
- Removing and installing sump (top section) · 25 torque figures
- Removing and installing drive plate · 28 torque figures
- Stress-free alignment of exhaust system · 54 torque figures
- Cylinder head - exploded view · 21 torque figures
- Crankshaft - exploded view · 19 torque figures
- Installing cylinder head · 14 torque figures
- Removing and installing drive plate · 17 torque figures
- Assembly overview - crankshaft · 15 torque figures
- Removing and installing upper part of sump · 11 torque figures
- Renewing sealing flange (gearbox end) · 9 torque figures
- Removing and installing poly V-belt · 11 torque figures
- Removing and installing thermostat · 9 torque figures
- Measuring radial clearance of crankshaft · 11 torque figures
- Draining and filling cooling system · 6 torque figures
- Measuring radial clearance of crankshaft · 10 torque figures
- Removing and installing coolant pump · 6 torque figures
- Crankshaft - exploded view of components · 8 torque figures
- Removing, installing and checking thermostat · 4 torque figures
- Removing and installing fuel tank · 3 torque figures
- Removing and installing camshafts and camshaft adjuster · 4 torque figures
Service intervals
| Timing Belt Km | 90000 |
|---|---|
| Timing Belt Years | 5 |
| Oil Change Km | 10000 |
| Oil Spec | 5W-40 ACEA A3/B4 (e.g. Castrol Edge, Mobil 1) |
| Oil Capacity L | 5.5 |
| Coolant Spec | G12 (pink) |
| Coolant Capacity L | 8 |
A/C system
| Refrigerant Type | R134a |
|---|---|
| Charge Grams | 750-800 |
| Compressor | Denso 10PA17C or Sanden |
Pro tips from the field
Timing belt service is a big job requiring dedicated camshaft locking and counterhold tools — don't attempt it without the correct VAG timing tool set.
Replace cam chain tensioner same time as timing belt — failure causes bent valves too.
ACK loves quality fuel (95+) and synthetic oil. Cheap fuel/oil kills cams.
Crankcase ventilation system (PCV) — replace whole hose set when one cracks.
Got a ACK problem? Ask for free.
Describe the symptoms — TorqFix replies with a diagnosis cited from verified workshop data.
Get free diagnosis →Who makes these pages, and how
TorqFix was built by a mechanic — after a 2,700 km drive with five roadside repairs that no diagnostic tool could explain.
The figures on this page come from manufacturer workshop documentation and are shown as they are. The page is assembled automatically from that data — it is not written by an AI. The AI works in the chat, where it answers for your specific car. It writes nothing here.
Variants of the same model differ. Cross-check torque against the factory manual for your engine before final tightening.
Seen a figure that does not match your manual? Write to us — we correct it and note when. support@torqfix.com
The story behind TorqFix →Workshop data on this page last updated 22 Aug 2026.