The 2.7T twin-turbo V6 30v DOHC engine from Audi made its debut in the 1997 B5 S4 and was last produced in the 2003 B6 A4. This Audi engine does not live very long, but there are still a lot of them out there.

The RS4 takes use of the whole range of the engine’s 227 horsepower to 376 hp and 229 lb-ft to 325 lb-ft of torque. There is a mixed reaction among Audi owners toward these motors. Depending on care, we’ve seen some go as far as 300,000 miles.

Before attempting to fix any of the issues stated in this 2.7t common difficulties guide, please double check that the specified components and do-it-yourself manuals are appropriate for your car. Don’t hesitate to post below if you’re having trouble locating resources, and we’ll do all we can to help.

Vehicles with Audi 2.7T Common Problems include:

1. A4 B6– AZR
2. RS 4 B5 – Engine Code: ASJ/AZR
3. A4 B5 – Engine Code: AGB/ASJ/AZB
4. A6 C5 – Allroad – Engine Code: APB/ARE
5. S4 B5 – Engine Code: AGB/APB/ASJ/AZB
6. A6 C5 – Engine Code: AJK/APB/ARE/AZA

Typical Engine Problems with an Audi 2.7T

1: Faulty Ignition Coil Pack or Spark Plugs

Many turbocharged engines have problems with their ignition coil packs. Each cylinder in the 2.7t will have its own coil pack, for a total of 6. Spark plugs may also malfunction, and one is located within the coil pack. Misfires are almost certain if even one of your engine’s coil packs or spark plugs is malfunctioning. It’s possible that your car won’t turn over if some of the spark plugs or coil packs are malfunctioning.

Coil packs & spark plugs often fail due to wear and tear. Unless your car is tuned, you may replace one of them twice in the vehicle’s lifespan at most. Unless you opt for cooler units from the aftermarket, you may count on having to replace them several times if you wish to tune your car or if it has already been adjusted.

Coil Pack/Spark Plug Failure Symptoms

• There was a problem with the engine (P0300, P0301, P0305, P0303, P0306, P0304, P0302, Fault Codes).
• CEL (Check Engine Light) Warning Light Turning On
• Uncomfortably slow motion.
• Constant engine misfires.
• Having trouble getting the engine to turn over.

Potential Replacements for the Ignition Coil and Spark Plugs:

We strongly suggest purchasing an OBD-2 scanner if you suffer any of the aforementioned symptoms. If your ignition coil pack is malfunctioning, it is in your best interest to replace all of the coils at once. Although it may cost more initially, the end result will be worth it. DIYing this is not hard if you have the right equipment. Estimate $200 – $300 if you wish to take your car in for this servicing at a shop.

2. Another issue is an early breakdown of the water pump

It’s unfortunate, but owing to the way many Volkswagens and Audis were manufactured, this is a typical issue with many of these vehicles. A water pump is tasked with pumping coolant from the radiator to the engine to maintain the ideal operating temperature of the latter. If your water pump is failing or has already failed, your car will overheat until you add additional coolant or replace it. If you’re in this situation, don’t wait to do anything about it since putting it off might lead to more expensive consequences down the road.

Water pumps may break down for two primary reasons: either they wear out over time or their bearings and seals degrade and leak. The average lifespan of a water pump is 60,000 to 90,000 miles assuming the fluid levels are properly maintained. Therefore, at some point in the vehicle’s lifetime, a water pump replacement will be necessary.

Water Pump Failure Symptoms:

• Overheated engine
• The leakage of the cooling fluid
• The engine was steaming up
• The engine is making a very loud whining noise

Cost on replacing a waterpump on the Audi 2.7T engine?

Since replacing a water pump necessitates removing the timing belt, it is often a good idea to do the same when the timing belt goes out. However, if you just need to repair the water pump, you can do it in a few hours with some basic mechanical knowledge. It would cost about $500 to have a shop replace only the water pump if you took it in for service.

3. Problem with the timing belt

Audis and Volkswagens both seem to have subpar timing belts from the factory. The timing belt is clearly seen to have a significant role in the engine below. It runs the water pump and keeps the camshaft, crankshaft, and cylinder heads all turning at the same time.

If the timing belt fails, the engine might be severely damaged. To maintain optimal performance, the timing belt should be replaced every 75,000 miles. You should only have to replace the timing belt and other major parts twice or three times during the vehicle’s lifespan.

Signs that Your Timing Belt or Tensioner Is About to Break:

• The car will not start
• The engine is making a ticking noise
• Misfire in the engine
• Erratic idle
• Performance issues

Cost to Replace a Timing Belt

For optimal results, you should also replace thethermostat, water pump, tensioners, valve cover gaskets, and cam chain tensioners whenever you service or maintain your timing belt. We say this because all of the ones mentioned below often set off at the same time, between 75,000 and 90,000. Though we wouldn’t advise it, you may change the timing belt on your own. To have this work done on your car at a shop will cost you about $1,500.

4. The Vacuum System Is Leaking

When we talk about the “vacuum system,” we’re usually referring to the hoses that carry the suction. Vacuum hoses on these engines are prone to crack since they were manufactured so long ago, between the late 1990s and the early 2000s. To avoid vacuum leaks, replace your 2.7’s vacuum hoses. Even a little pinhole in a hose may have a huge impact on your car’s efficiency and functionality.

A vehicle’s vacuum system draws air in through suction in order to power the internal combustion engine. Engine RPM is also regulated by this mechanism. Your car won’t start if the vacuum system isn’t in good working order. A schematic of the vacuum lines we’re discussing is shown below.

Failure of the vacuum system will manifest itself in a variety of ways:

• There’s a hissing noise coming from the motor
• CEL Error codes P2279, P0421, P0491, and P0492 are on the lights
• Irregularly idle
• The engine’s performance has diminished
• Stalled engine

If you aren’t familiar with the engine, you should probably get it serviced so the cracked vacuum lines may be replaced.

5. The Camshaft Seal Isn’t Good

The camshaft seal in 2.7-liter turbocharged engines is a component that is often disregarded. Basically, it’s just an oil seal around the cylinder head. As you would expect, its primary function is to prevent water from entering the engine via the gap between the camshaft and the valve cover. This happens more often than it should since, for some reason, the components of this engine are not as sturdy as they should be. Oil leaks from the engine are a terrible conclusion if these seals are allowed to deteriorate.

Original equipment manufacturer seals wear very quickly and cause these spherical seals to fail. We advise all existing Audi 2.7t engine owners to swap out theirs immediately. Asking whether they have been updated is a good idea if you’re interested in purchasing a 2.7t since it will put your mind at ease. These should have a single replacement during the vehicle’s lifetime.

The Telltale Signs of a Leaking Camshaft Seal:

• The engine clearly has oil leaks
• There’s smoke coming from the engine
• Overheated engine
• Check engine light is on

Replacing a camshaft’s seals may be expensive

This isn’t the worst do-it-yourself project if you know what you’re doing with a motor. Given that the gasket itself is so inexpensive, we would generally suggest doing it personally IF you have the necessary skills since if you took it to a shop, the labor costs would account for 90–95% of the total cost. But the total cost would probably be about $400.

6. Broken control arms or worn out CV boots

You may be asking why something that isn’t strictly an engine fault made the list, but given how widespread this issue is with B5 S4s, we felt it was vital to add it. The boots and the control arms were not made very reliably from the manufacturer.

CV boots protect and maintain the CV joints by keeping them clean and oiled. Tragically, it is not uncommon for these boots to rip, eventually leading to joint failure. The suspension system would be useless without the control arms that enable the driver to turn the wheel. When it comes to gearbox and steering, the following components are just as crucial as any others.

Signs of a Broken CV Boot or Control Arm:

• Inner wheel bearings have grease leaking out
• An issue with axil vibrations
• Axle makes a clicking/clunking sound when turned
• Suffering with a shaky steering wheel
• Steering drifting

How Much It Will Cost To Replace A CV Boot And A Control Arm?

This do-it-yourself project is much less daunting if you have access to a lift of some kind. It’s not impossible to do it yourself, but if you don’t have access to a lift, you should probably have a dealer do it. Costs at the repair business for just one set of boots, front or back, would average roughly $700. Replacing a control arm would cost about $400.

The Reliability of Audi’s 2.7T Engine

Despite what could appear to be a large list of problems with the Audi 2.7t motor, certain stage 2 and stage 3 engines have been known to endure up to 300,000 miles. However, this is conditional on the vehicle’s upkeep. That’s not to imply that every one of these engines has a lifetime of that length, but it does mean that they have the potential to.

I was wondering if you have any firsthand knowledge of the Audi 2.7t engine. Leave a comment and let us know.