Removing the EM whilst still all in the car

[S2 Ant]

Has anyone done this?
I think Greg said this is how he done is but want to check how much stress it was.

Im wanting to do my headgasket etc asap as the timing belt needs to be done and be silly doing it twice.

When i take the head off i was gonna remove the EM once out the car, then refit up the same one with any new studs / nuts as necessary, all copper slipped up for easy removal when the need arises.

So would you say this was a do-able job in the car at a later date?
Ive already removed all the air-box to make way for a cone filter which i can see has freed up so much space.

Thanks guys

[martinjs]

If none of your manifold studs snap then it shouldnt be a problem, but if one snaps then your 99% gonna have to take the head off to get it out BTDT, if you going to have the head off anyway do it then definately.
on mine the middle nut on the bottom row (hardest to get at) was rusted to hell, and was completely round, was the worst job ive ever had to do on a car to remove it. (this was before i realised i'd have to remove the head)

HTH

martin

[Doug_RS2]

Can you not stretch to an RS2 EM while you do this Ant? It would make it soo much easier. You need to use the RS2 studs - or shorten a couple of the standard studs anyway for the RS2 EM.

I was going to take the EM off with the head on the car but gave up - too awkward - I was taking the head off anyway.

[S2 Ant]

I cant afford a turbo to put on to it tho and mine wont fit it will it

[martinjs]

your K24 will fit

[S2 Ant]

does it... u sure?

In that case..........

[martinjs]

of course..BTDT too

[audiman]

Yeah bolts straight up mate!!

[91_S2]

You need to use the RS2 studs - or shorten a couple of the standard studs anyway for the RS2 EM.

I have been looking at ETKA trying to find a number for the short studs. No joy.
They don't seem to be shown.

Anyone know the number or how long they are? Do I only need 2 short one?

[Henka]

It's a major PITA to get the EM out, BTDT. You have to remove alot of things just to get to he bolts. It's possible and it's not really that hard - the PITA is to clear out everything around, including the oilcooler and the filter bracket on the engine block.. Getteing the tranny out is easier or at least feels more logical as far as unbolting related parts...

[Greg_S]

Ant,

You can do the EM while it is in situ. If you are taking the head off to change the head gasket though, it would make sense to fit the RS2 one then.

When I changed mine the second time I had a stud snap in the head near the front of the car where there was poor access. Im not sure how my dad managed to do it but he managed to get it out for me since there was about 2 or 3mm protuding so he got it out. All that had to be removed apart from turbo and its pipes was the airbox and metal cross pipe. Access around it wasnt too bad otherwise.

[S2central.net]

I've only recce'd this job and it looks horrible alright - probably less hassle, though more time consuming to remove the head - which you are doing anyway.

As others suggest, if the budget stretches to an RS2 EM then now is probably a good time. The K24 turbo bolts right up to the RS2 EM.

[AudiS2Au]

From all the horror stories of removing the exhaust manifold, I reckon I had the easiest job of it. This was the biggest pull apart and fit new parts job I had attempted on the car.

As mentioned you need to get off the airbox, wastegate and turbo to get access to the nuts. It also helps a lot to break the downpipe under the car and let it drop as far as possible.

I got off all the studs by jamming two nuts together on the studs and then undoing the inside one locked against the outside. There were 6 on the bottom row that refused to budge but a set of stud extractors broke the bond. Those that the stud extractors wouldn't completely remove were at least budged slightly and then backed out with two nuts.

Just proceed with caution. One success doesn't mean they will all be easy.