Removing the engine?

2016 AUDI A3
92,000 MILES • 2.0L • TURBO • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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BHAMDOC1
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Any ideas on how to separate the engine from transmission, I am replacing the motor and I don't see anything as far as flywheel to torque convertor bolts that needs to be removed, I am guessing because it maybe a DSG transmission. So many things inn there, the transfer case up front, I don't need to remove axles because the transmission is staying, I have everything disconnected, just need to remove the left side mount, but I don't see anything as far what happens when they separate? And where r the engine hooks
Aug 4, 2026 at 5:21 PM
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STEVE W.
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The reason you don't find much is because the entire engine and transmission drop out through the bottom. You can remove the transmission on it's own because you can tip the engine down enough that it clears the clutch stack. However you don't have room to slip the engine forward enough to clear the clutch stack to pull the engine out the top. At least not complete. You might get it to fit if you strip the front of the engine. Never tried it myself as I drop them out like a majority of newer vehicles. That is why the book time on them is over 10 hours. The short version is to drop the subframe out, then unbolt everything and disconnect the main engine harness and the driveline drops out. Then you split them and replace the engine, then reverse the process. It isn't fun on the quattro drive because of the extra parts. If you figure out a way to bring it out the top please write it up. You might be the first to do it.
Aug 4, 2026 at 7:52 PM
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BHAMDOC1
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I don't want to be the first lol. I will just drop them both together, but is there a way to hook up the engine and transmission using a hoist? I don't have a way of dropping them on the floor as the car is sitting on a mid rise lift.
Aug 4, 2026 at 7:59 PM
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STEVE W.
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OOF, There were no hooks on them and with modern castings I'm not sure what I would trust. Might be able to bolt to the engine mount locations, When you pull the transmission on it's own they use a couple plates that bolt in place on the rear of the block. You could do the shade tree option and use a hoist to lift the body off.
What do you have for service info on vehicles?
Aug 4, 2026 at 9:02 PM
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BHAMDOC1
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Unless there is something i can use to
Raise the engine/tran once ready how am i going to do that because what am i going to drop them on? I cant drop them on the floor because that will be too low
Aug 5, 2026 at 6:34 AM
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STEVE W.
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 15,210 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
I generally use a drivetrain jack, pretty much 2 transmission jacks that share a rolling base, but I have seen people drop them onto basically anything that lets them drag it out and back in.
Aug 5, 2026 at 11:43 AM
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