Stuck with 1.8 T sump removal

**Penfold4140** · 31-05-2009,05:25 PM

Hey folks,

I need some assistance!! I decided to do my sump and oil pump myself, as I've had the oil pressure light, and it was a bit chappy at the top end.
So far, I removed all of the bolts from the sump, and it is now separated from the block. I've taken the engine mount nuts off, and raised the engine a few inches. The sump is loose but won't come out, due to the bracket mounted on the front of the engine, which sits against the big rubber doodah. How do I get this off?
I may have cut a few corners on this job, as I haven't dropped the sub-frame, but so far it hasn't been too much of an issue. Even if I do drop it, the sump still won't drop because of this bracket.
Do I need to rip the bumper off, radiator, etc to get at the bracket?
The sump won't go toward the rear of the car due to the gearbox/bell housing. It has to come forward, right?

Any help appreciated.
Cheers.

**Crasher** · 31-05-2009,05:53 PM

Remove the three bolts from the torque reaction bracket and the sump will come past it. You are going to have to lift the engine a long way up to get the sump out without dropping the subframe!

**Penfold4140** · 31-05-2009,07:11 PM

It doesn't look like the bolts are accessible without removing lots of other stuff. There was the bracket that goes around the rubber bit, which had three bolts. I removed them, but the bracket which it bolts onto has one stud with nut which is accessible, but the other two look like allen heads, and one is behind some other crap with belts on it.
It's a manual with air-con, if it helps.

**Crasher** · 31-05-2009,10:46 PM

I just release the bracket and that gives enough room. PM me your cars reg and your email.

**baltiboys2** · 01-06-2009,10:48 AM

Just get a allen key and undo the front pulley and take the tensioner off the aircon belt once the 4 allen bolts are removed the crank pulley will drop off this will not effect timing incase your worried once the pulley is out the way the rest is easy just remove the alternator tensioner bar

Have you remembered to remove the 2 alllen key bolts for the sump from within the gearbox bell housing if you look below the gearbox bellhousing you will see two holes about the size of a 10p piece if you shine a torch uo there you will see the final two bolts as the sump seem's like it is slack and off but it will not move forwards untill these are removed

cheers Raj

**Penfold4140** · 01-06-2009,11:50 AM

Thanks for all the advice, got your e-mail crasher. Excellent stuff.
I'll give this a try tonight. I assume it can all be done without removing the bumper?
Cheers.

**baltiboys2** · 01-06-2009,03:02 PM

Yes but tight to take bumper off it is 5 mins 2 allen key bolts in behind the outer left and right grill and then the torx screws in the wheel arch are just behind the front bumper and then it just pulls off the clips on the side and then pull forwards

I just did the pump on mine its really a doddle but i have a ramp LOL

cheers Raj

**Penfold4140** · 04-06-2009,09:53 AM

Got sump off, and found what looks like part of the piston in the sump.
Audi want £110.47 for one piston, on a 7-10 day lead time.
Any ideas where I might get one cheaper/faster? Not sure I want to spend a wad of cash on this car. Only paid £300 for it, and it's fairly high milage.
A second hand one would do me, if anyones got one.

**Crasher** · 04-06-2009,10:41 AM

That is part of a piston skirt but before buying anymore parts you must remove the head and remove the broken piston to inspect the bore, if the bore is damaged you need a re-bore and four new oversize pistons or a different engine and good used 1.8T AEB engines are like rocking horse poo!

**Penfold4140** · 04-06-2009,11:06 AM

Sorry for all the questions, I'm kinda new to engines.

I'm going to shine a torch up the bores from underneath, and make sure the piston is still attached to the rod and moving, when I turn the crankshaft pulley. Can I check the bore from underneath aswell? Really don't want to rip the head off.
There hasn't been any major banging or rattling from the engine, so I'm hoping it's ok. I assume if the piston is still attached, the valves will all be ok?
I was going to try and drop the piston and rod out the bottom, while the sump's off. Is this an option?
If it's just the piston and everything else is good, can I use a second hand piston?
If not, the car's going to the scrapyard. As I say, I paid £300 for the car, and less than £100 for brand new rocker cover and gasket. I would rather cut my losses than spend alot on it.

Anyone interested in a silver 1996 A4 Avant 1.8T, requiring some engine attention?????