AUDI A4 1996 B5 / 1.G AEB ATW Engines Pistons And Connecting Rods Workshop Manual
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Pistons and connecting rods, 
disassembling and assembling 
1 - 
Nut for connecting rod bolt 
30 Nm (22 ft lb) + additional 1/4 turn (90 )Always replace connecting rod bolt -13-Grease thread and contact surfaceTo measure radial play, tighten to 30 Nm 
(22 ft lb) but not any further 
2 - 
Pressure relief valve Tightening torque: 27 Nm (20 ft lb)Opening pressure: 2.5-3.2 bar (36.25-46.4 
psi) 
3 - 
Oil spray nozzle For piston cooling
4 - 
Connecting rod bearing cap Mark -B- to indicate which cylinder each 
cap belongs to 
  Installed position:Marks -A- point toward belt pulley side
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5 - 
Bearing shell 
Verify correct installation positionDo not interchange used connecting rod 
bearing shells (mark accordingly) Check for proper securing in retaining tabs
  Axial play:New: 0.10-0.35 mm (0.004-0.014 in.)Wear limit: 0.40 mm (0.016 in.)
  
Measure radial play using Plastigage :New: 0.01-0.05 mm (0.0004-0.0020 in.)Wear limit: 0.12 mm (0.0047 in.)Do not turn crankshaft when measuring 
radial play with Plastigage in place 
 - To measure radial play, tighten nut -1- to 
30 Nm (22 ft lb) but not any further 
6 - 
Cylinder block 
Check bore  Fig.  4Piston and cylinder bore dimensions   
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7 - 
Bearing shell 
With oil bore for piston pin lubricationVerify correct installation positionDo not interchange used connecting rod 
bearing shells (mark accordingly) 
  Axial play:New: 0.10-0.35 mm (0.004-0.014 in.)Wear limit: 0.40 mm (0.016 in.)
  
Measure radial play using Plastigage :New: 0.01-0.05 mm (0.0004-0.0020 in.)Wear limit: 0.12 mm (0.0047 in.)Do not turn crankshaft when measuring 
radial play with Plastigage in place To measure radial play, tighten nut -1- to 
30 Nm (22 ft lb) but not any further 
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8 - 
Connecting rod 
Replace only as a setMarkings -B- indicate which cylinder each 
rod belongs to 
  Installed position:Marks -A- point toward belt pulley sideWith oil bore for piston pin lubrication
9 - 
Circlip 
10 - 
Piston pin If stiff, warm pistons to approx. 60 C 
(140 F) When removing and installing, use 
VW222a pilot drift 
11 - 
Piston rings Offset by 120Use piston ring pliers to remove and installMarking "TOP" must point to piston headChecking piston ring end gap  Fig.   1Checking piston ring side clearance   Fig. 
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12 - 
Pistons 
CheckingMark installation position and matching 
cylinder Arrow on piston head points toward belt 
pulley side Install using piston ring compressor
13 - 
Connecting rod bolt Always replace
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Fig. 1  Checking piston ring end gap
-  Insert ring at right angle from top and slide down until approx. 15 mm 
(19/32 in.) from lower edge of cylinder. To insert, use piston without 
rings. Piston ring  
  End gap, new mm (in.)  
Wear limit  
mm (in.)  
1. Compression ring   0.20-0.40  
(0.0078-0.0157)  0.8  
(0.0315)  
2. Compression ring   0.20-0.40  
(0.0078-0.0157)  0.8  
(0.0315)  
3. Oil scraper ring   0.25-0.50  
(0.0098-0.0197)  0.8  
(0.0315)  
    
Fig. 2  Checking piston ring side clearance
-  Before checking, clean ring groove.Piston ring  
  Side clearance, new mm (in.)  
Wear limit  
mm (in.)  
1. Compression ring   0.06-0.09  
(0.0023-0.0035)  0.20  
(0.0078)  
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2. Compression ring   0.05-0.08  
(0.0019-0.0315)  0.20  
(0.0078)  
3. Oil scraper ring   0.03-0.06  
(0.0011-0.0023)  0.15  
(0.0059)  
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Fig. 3  Checking piston diameter
-  Measure approx. 10 mm (3/8 in.) from bottom edge, at points offset by 
90  from piston pin axis.    Deviation from nominal size: max. 0.04 mm (0.0016 in.)
    
Special tools and equipment  
Inner bore gauge 50-100 mm (2-4 in.)  
CAUTION! 
DO NOT have the cylinder block mounted to the assembly stand 
while measuring the cylinder bores. The block is deformed by its 
own weight under these conditions and this stress will result in false 
measurements that are not accurate after the tension has been 
relieved.  Fig. 4  Checking cylinder bore
-  Measure at three locations diagonally in crosswise direction -A- and 
lengthwise direction -B-. 
   Deviation from nominal size: max. 0.08 mm (0.0031 in.)
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Piston and cylinder bore dimensions
 
     
Reconditioning 
dimension  Piston  
diameter  Cylinder 
bore  
diameter  
Basic dimension     
80.975mm
1)  
(3.1180 in.)  81.01 mm  
(3.1894 in.)  
Repair step     
81.475mm1)  
(3.2076 in.)  81.51 mm  
(3.2090 in.)  
1) Measurement does not include graphite 
coating, thickness 0.02 mm (0.0008 in.). The 
graphite coating wears away.  
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