How can I tell if my 98 A6 Avant is a 30v or 12v????

[Ti Kan]

Bill Rowe writes:
> The vehicle was represented and sold as a 30v but there's no "5V" emblem
> (or whatever you call it) on the side of the motor.  However, when I
> call up the VIN on Carfax it comes up as a 30V.  How can I tell for
> sure?  Thanx.

Carfax is not correct in this case.  The 1998 A6 *sedan* has the 30V
engine, but not the Avant.  This is because the '98 A6 Avant remained
being on the older C4 platform, and the 30V didn't get fitted to that
platform.  When the Avant went to the C5 platform for the '99 model
year it also got the 30V.

How do you tell visually?  One easy way is this:  Open the hood and while
looking at the engine when standing in front of the bumper, if the engine
oil filler cap is on the left bank of the engine, it's a 12V.  If it's on
the right bank, it's a 30V.  The 12V's top engine cover (the one over the
intake runners) has slotted vents and says only "V6" whereas the 30V
has meshed vents and has both the Audi rings as well as "V6".  The covers
over the cylinder banks has the Audi rings on the 12V, but says "5V" on
the 30V.  Lastly, the 12V engine covers are more angular whereas the
30V are more smooth and curvy.

Here is a pic of the 12V engine (as installed in an early A4, but should
look the same on an early A6)
	http://www.amb.org/ti/audi/autiq-old/engine.jpg

Here is a pic of the 30V engine:
	http://www.amb.org/ti/audi/audi-misc/v6-30v.jpg

I think the pictures should be quite telltale.

-Ti
01 S4 2.7 biturbo quattro
84 5000S 2.1 turbo
80 4000 2.0
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    ///  Ti Kan                Vorsprung durch Technik
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