AKE and BAU TDI engines

[fjtwelve]

I need to replace my knackered AKE 2.5 V6 TDI engine. I have been told by a replacement engine specialist that a BAU engine will fit. As far as I can tell the BAU engine was the successor to the AKE engine, but have not found anywhere that tells me what the differences are. I am dubious about the swap. Audi UK unofficially say the engine management will be different. Can you help? Can you tell me who's got an AKE engine I can buy as hunting the net is getting me nowhere fast.

 

[fjtwelve]

I have been told this afternoon that the BAU is a common rail engine and thus totally different. Any other info?

 

[enda1]

Had a quick look through elsawin. There doesn't seem to be any mechanical differences in the engines and the fuel systems both appear to be the same.
They both look to run the same sensors.
Don't have any info on the engine management systems.

 

[fjtwelve]

Thankyou for that, looks a bit more hopeful. Am awaiting STAR to look at the BAU when it arrives and tell me if it fits.

 

[fjtwelve]

I can most definitely state that they are not the same and cannot be swapped

 

[Dean20m]

I can most definitely state that they are not the same and cannot be swapped

Hi fjtwelve,
Do you know what the reasons were why the BAU could not be used in place of the AKE?

I recently purchased an engine from an Audi parts centre and they listed the engine as AKE (180bhp) but they have sent the BAU (179bhp) model, i spoke to them and they said everything is the same and that the parts which i take of the old engine will match up to the parts on the BAU.

I rang an Audi parts centre specialist at Endinburgh Audi and he checked his system and verified that the AKE and BAU are both listed together when he did his part search, and he could not see any reason why it should not be able to be used. He said there may be diferences in radiator size and that it would be ok to use my own radiator off the A4 as all the inlet/outlet valves etc are all the same throughout the engine. He said gaskets, throttle body, crank, gear box bolting, fuel pipes, intake flaps, Injectors, both have same fuel mix etc etc

He said that the engine block was listed the same for an AKE and BAU.

He said the only difference he could see is the 1bhp diiference which he thought probably had something to do with the german taxing system where the charge on BHP as aopposed to engine size.

I was interested to see what the reasons were that you state they definately will not be compatable as i am an engine novice and my garage were not sure whether i should return the engine.

Any information is greatly appreciated.

Dean