6-cylinder direct petrol injection engine (2.8 ltr. 4-valve) — Detaching multitronic gearbox from engine — AUDI

🧭 Before you start

Fits: Audi A8 D3 (4E, 2002–2010)

• Special tools named: VAS 6131/11, VAS 6131/12, VAS 6131/10

Don't miss

• Disregard item (1).
• A second mechanic is required for removing the subframe.
• Observe rules for cleanliness when working on automatic gearbox 00.
• The mounting points for engine (front) and gearbox (rear) remain unchanged.
• Risk of irreparable damage to gearbox control unit (mechatronic unit) because of static discharge.Do NOT touch connector contacts in gearbox connector with your hands. — Release electrical connector (1) and detach from gearbox.

🔧 Engine codes this applies to

🔩 Torque settings

Values can differ between engine variants — check the code stamped on your block.

ℹ️ Always cross-check the exact figure against your vehicle's factory manual before final tightening — a wrong torque can damage the engine. These values are extracted from workshop data and may not cover every variant or revision.

📋 Procedure

1. Unplug electrical connector (1) from gearbox mounting (left-side).
2. Remove bolts (arrows) securing gearbox mounting.
3. Perform the same work steps on the other side of the vehicle.
4. Remove bolts (2) and detach cross member. [Note: Disregard item (1).]
5. Screw down spindles of support elements (2) (left and right) at subframe as far as possible.

6. Remove locating lugs from spindles.
7. Take out subframe (3) to the side. [Note: A second mechanic is required for removing the subframe.]
8. Screw down spindles of support elements (1) (left and right) at engine cross member (4) as far as possible.
9. Remove bolts for engine mountings (arrows) (left and right).
10. Detach engine cross member.
11. Unscrew all 4 base plates for support elements (for engine cross member and subframe) from scissor-type assembly platformVAS 6131 A.
12. Detach bracket (arrow) for ATF lines. [Note: Observe rules for cleanliness when working on automatic gearbox 00.]
13. Unscrew bolt (arrow) and detach ATF lines from gearbox. [Note: The mounting points for engine (front) and gearbox (rear) remain unchanged.]
14. Set up scissor-type assembly platformVAS 6131 A with support set for AudiVAS 6131/10 and supplementary set VAS 6131/11 and VAS 6131/12 as follows:
15. Position the support elements from VAS 6131/10 and VAS 6131/12 at left of engine/gearbox assembly as shown in illustration.
16. Position the support elements from VAS 6131/10 and VAS 6131/12 at right of engine/gearbox assembly as shown in illustration.
17. Turn spindles for support elements upwards until all locating lugs make contact with mounting points.
18. Tighten base plates for support elements to 20 Nm on scissor-type assembly platformVAS 6131 A. — 20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
19. ⚠ Risk of irreparable damage to gearbox control unit (mechatronic unit) because of static discharge.Do NOT touch connector contacts in gearbox connector with your hands. — Release electrical connector (1) and detach from gearbox.
20. Move clear engine wiring harness (arrows).
21. Unplug electrical connector (arrow) for engine speed sender G28.
22. Unplug electrical connector (4) for Lambda probe 2 after catalytic converter G131 and move wiring clear.
23. ⚠ Risk of damage to flexible joints in front exhaust pipeDo not bend flexible joints in front exhaust pipe more than 10°. — Remove nut (left arrow) at bracket for front exhaust pipe (left-side).
24. Remove bolt (2) at bracket for front exhaust pipe (left-side). [Note: Disregard item (1).]
25. Unfasten nuts (1 … 3) and remove front exhaust pipe (left-side) with catalytic converter.
26. Unplug electrical connector (1) for Lambda probe after catalytic converter G130 and move wiring clear.
27. ⚠ Risk of damage to flexible joints in front exhaust pipeDo not bend flexible joints in front exhaust pipe more than 10°. — Remove nut (right arrow) at bracket for front exhaust pipe (right-side).
28. Remove bolt (2) at bracket for front exhaust pipe (right-side). [Note: Disregard item (1).]
29. Unfasten nuts (1 … 3) and remove front exhaust pipe (right-side) with catalytic converter.
30. Remove bolts (1 ... 10) securing gearbox to engine. [Note: Disregard (item A).]
31. Loosen clamping bolts (1) on sides of scissor-type assembly platformVAS 6131 A and pull rear section of platform together with gearbox towards rear (arrow).

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