AudiSport4000

So I got started on RR'ing the starter on the 4cyl the other day. I thought I was in the clear, I had the 3 main bolts removed from the rear and thought the starter was ready to pop out, nope. There is another one that attaches to the block, near the front of the starter. I went and asked the ol tech for advice, and he said I had to remove the motor mount, which I was afraid of. With my working R12 AC compressor there, the room is tight. I kept looking at it thinking I could swing the starter out somehow, which I may still try. The problem is I have a hard time seeing the allen bolt that I need to remove, but at least I know the general area now. I was sifting through Jeff Doble's pictures of his rebuild and found great information. If I gotta remove the motor mount, I hope it goes well. There are stupid allen bolts holding the motor mount arm to the block. When I did the MC swap I stripped one of those suckers on the JT block. Im gonna make sure those things are lubed up good with PB and I have the right angle on my breaker bar .
Any other tips for this crappy thing? Im pretty close, the 4cyl is a monster I really dont know much about, or have done any major work on.

Jeff Doble

At first I couldn't understand what you were talking about. But after scrouging around some of the pics I found this one which shows that bolt (below). I really think that with the right socket extensions and universal joints, you can unscrew that without removing the engine mount. I'm not 100% sure but I'd give it a shot before going through the extra hassle. Chances are you just need to loosen the bolt a little before you can unscrew it the rest of the way with your fingers. Good luck.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/11728/304731712.jpg">

AudiSport4000

I had the 3 back bolts out and kept wacking the starter. When it didnt budge I knew there was another stupid bolt somewhere.
You have the luxury of no AC compressor in the way. Im gonna try and get at the bolt next week when I have time to work on this crap again.
Hopefully I can weasel it out without removing then engine mount and arm.

Whitjr

Can you put a jack under the bloc to raise it a bit and give more space to work?

AudiSport4000

With the engine bolted down, lifting anything will lift the car. There is so little space with the AC compressor there and motor mount that I had a hell of a time a while back just connecting the tiny wires to the starter. Now that the car is jacked up and on stands its easier to see whats going on. I gotta remove that silly allen one then we will see if I can get the starter out without removing the motor mount.

Jeff Doble

At least on my Subaru I can unbolt the compressor and completely move it aside to work on the car. You can actually remove the engine easily without disconnecting the compressor. Maybe the Audi will give you some wiggle room? A word of caution, I think removing the bolt in the center of the compressor will cause you to lose freon so becareful which ones you unscrew if you try this method.

JD

EDIT: Maybe it's easier to just unbolt the entire bracket the compressor is mounted too? It's held on my four bolts but maybe that's more trouble than it's worth.

AudiSport4000

When I was standing looking, I took hold of the AC lines and was thinking I may be able to swing it out of the way a bit. I'll try and see which bolts are the bracket ones. Its not a huge deal to remove the motor mount, I just hate those stupid allens that Audi used .

I will report back next week on this, hopefully with good news.

87 4ks

I think there are three allen bolts (IIRC) holding the mount bracket to the engine. Some I could reach with an allen socket, and I think there was one that I could only reach with a regular allen wrench. It was a while ago, so I may not be remembering right. Of course, you have to undo the rubber engine mount itself if you go that route. I supported my engine with a floor jack on the oil pan when I undid the mount. I do remember NOT having to undo the AC compressor or mess with it in any way.

One thing I do (gonna get a little redneck here, so watch out) when using allen wrenches on old, suspect looking bolts is to put a little fine sand from my dirt/gravel driveway onto the tip of the allen wrench. I find it kinda adds to the grip to keep the wrench from slipping. I've read where some people recommend using valve lapping compound for that, but I don't have any of that. Got plenty of dirt, though. Tapping the wrench firmly into the bolt helps, too.

Good luck!

87 4ks

is to try and tighten them a little bit before attempting to loosen them. My shop teacher gave me that advice a long time ago. Probably just an old shop tale, and I have no idea why it would matter, but I do it anyway. It doesn't always work, but hey, it's free to try it!