Removing and installing starter - vehicles with 3.0 ltr. TDI engine (EA897 generation I) — AUDI
Removing and installing starter - vehicles with 3.0 ltr. TDI engine (EA897 generation I) on Audi: 9 steps.
The starter on the 3.0 litre TDI EA897 generation I, in the Audi A6/A7 C7 2011–2018 (4G) and the other platform codes listed, is buried under the right side of the engine, so most of the work is clearing a path to it. The alternator comes off first, then the right engine mounting and the right engine support, with the earth cable at the support moved clear. The rear noise insulation is removed and one bolt is reached from the gearbox side using extensions and joints. The connector is released by sliding its lock rearwards and pressing the catch, the B+ wire is taken off the solenoid switch and the last bolt allows the starter to come out. The engine needs supporting before the mounting is removed, and the B+ nut must be firm on refitting.
🧭 Before you start
Remove the alternator, the right engine mounting and, after moving the earth cable clear, the right engine support. Take off the rear noise insulation, reach the gearbox-side bolt with extensions and joints, unplug the connector, remove the B+ wire nut at the solenoid and take out the last bolt to remove the starter. Refitting runs in reverse.
Fits: Audi A6/A7 C7 (4G, 2011–2018); platform code 4X
Don't miss
- Remove the alternator and right engine mounting before the starter is reachable.
- Slide the connector locking element rearwards before pressing the release catch.
- Move the earth cable clear at the engine support and reconnect it on refitting.
- Support the engine before the right mounting is removed, as standard practice.
- Disconnect the battery before removing the B+ wire from the solenoid, as general practice.
Written for this job from the workshop steps below · TorqFix editorial.
📋 Procedure
- Remove alternator .
- Remove engine mounting (right-side) 10Assembly mountings; Removing and installing engine mountings.
- Remove nut (1) and move earth cable clear at engine support.
- Remove bolts (arrows) and detach engine support (right-side).
- Remove noise insulation (rear) General body repairs, exterior66Noise insulation; Removing and installing noise insulation.
- Unscrew bolt (arrow) from gearbox side using extensions and joints.
- Unplug connector (2) by sliding locking element to rear and pressing down release catch.
- Unscrew nut (4) and detach B+ wire (3) from solenoid switch.
- Remove bolt (5) and detach starter (1).
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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.
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The story behind TorqFix →Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.