EA381 or Audi R5 engines

The Audi EA381 family of 5-cylinder diesel engines was produced from 1978 to 1997 and was installed on many concern models with a longitudinal arrangement of the power unit. Similar transverse diesel engines are referred to another line under the symbol EA153.

Pre-chamber diesel engines EA381

The history of the concern's 5-cylinder diesel engines began in 1978 with the Audi 100 model in the C2 body. It was a typical for that time 2.0-liter atmospheric pre-chamber engine with 70 hp with a cast-iron cylinder block, an aluminum 10-valve cylinder head, a timing belt drive. A little later, an 87 hp supercharged engine and a 100 hp engine with a turbine and an intercooler appeared. Since these power units were created on the basis of gasoline engines of the EA828 family, at first they were assigned to this line and they received their own EA381 index later.

In addition to 2.0-liter engines, this lineup had similar 2.4-liter diesel engines:

  • CN (70 hp / 123 Nm) for Audi 100 C2, 100 C3;
  • DE (87 hp / 172 Nm) for Audi 100 C2, 100 C3;
  • NC (100 hp / 192 Nm) for Audi 100 C3;
  • 3D (82 hp / 164 Nm) for Audi 100 C3;
  • AAS (82 hp / 164 Nm) for Audi 100 C4.

EA381 direct injection diesels

In 1990, a 5-cylinder diesel engine with direct fuel injection appeared on the Audi 100 model. In addition to a different fuel system with a Bosch VP37 injection pump, it didn’t have any serious differences: here is the same cast-iron block, a 10-valve cylinder head with hydraulic compensators and a timing belt drive. Atmospheric versions are not provided, all engines were equipped with a turbocharger and an intercooler.

We know of four diesel engines in this series and all were installed on the 100 or A6 model:

  • AAT (115 hp / 265 Nm) for Audi 100 C4, A6 C4;
  • ABP (115 hp / 265 Nm) for Audi 100 C4;
  • 1T (120 hp / 265 Nm) for Audi 100 C3;
  • AEL (140 hp / 290 Nm) for Audi A6 C4.

EA381 diesels for minibuses

The Audi A6 in the C5 body switched to V6 units and inline 5-cylinder engines remained only on VW models. So the R5 diesel engines of the longitudinal arrangement went to the LT2 minibus of the 1997 model year. Structurally, they differed little from the Audi 2.5 TDI power units already described above. Similar transverse diesel engines are usually referred to as the EA153 series.

One naturally aspirated engine and six different turbodiesels were installed on LT2 minibuses:

  • AGX (75 hp / 160 Nm);
  • BBE (83 hp / 200 Nm);
  • APA (90 hp / 220 Nm);
  • BBF (95 hp / 240 Nm);
  • AHD (102 hp / 250 Nm);
  • ANJ (109 hp / 280 Nm);
  • AVR (109 hp / 280 Nm).

In 2006, an updated version of the EA381 diesel units appeared in Crafter minibuses, which was distinguished by a modern Common Rail fuel system from Bosch with piezo injectors. And the rest here is the same 5-cylinder cast-iron block, aluminum 10-valve cylinder head, equipped with hydraulic lifters, timing belt drive and variable geometry turbine.

In total, 4 different motors were installed on the Crafter, plus each of them had a Euro 5 modification:

  • BJJ (88 hp / 220 Nm);
  • CEBA (88 hp / 220 Nm);
  • BJK (109 hp / 280 Nm);
  • CEBB (109 hp / 280 Nm);
  • BJL (136 hp / 300 Nm);
  • CECA (136 hp / 300 Nm);
  • BJM (163 hp / 350 Nm);
  • CECB (163 hp / 350 Nm).

Also, the Touareg 2.5 TDI engine is often referred to this series, but it is described in the article about EA153.

Engine Volkswagen BJM

The 2.5-liter Volkswagen BJM or Crafter 2.5 diesel engine was assembled from 2006 to 2010 and was installed on the pre-styling version of the famous first generation Crafter minibus. After upgrading to more stringent EURO 5 environmental standards, this unit changed the index to CECB.

Engine Audi CN

The 2.0-liter 5-cylinder Audi CN diesel engine was produced from 1978 to 1988 and was installed in the second and third generations of the rather popular Audi 100 model. This diesel engine had a supercharged DE modification, as well as an NC version with a turbine and intercooler.

Engine Audi AAS

The 2.4-liter 5-cylinder Audi AAS diesel engine was produced from 1991 to 1994 and was installed only on the fourth generation of the popular Audi 100 model. This unit is an updated version of the 3D diesel engine known from the C3 model.

Engine Audi AAT

The 2.5-liter Audi AAT 2.5 TDI diesel engine was produced by the company from 1991 to 1997 and was installed only on two models of the concern: with an index of 100 or a similar A6 in the C4 body. This five-cylinder power unit is famous for its high reliability and long service life.

Engine Audi 1T

The 2.5-liter Audi 1T 2.5 TDI diesel engine was produced by the concern from 1989 to 1991 and was installed only on a restyled version of the popular model with an index of 100 in the C3 body. This engine was the first representative of a very famous line of 5-cylinder diesel engines.

Engine Audi AEL

The 2.5-liter Audi AEL 2.5 TDI diesel engine was produced by the company from 1994 to 1997 and was installed on only one, but very popular model: the A6 in the C4 body. This 5-cylinder diesel engine was distinguished from its counterparts in the series by a more powerful turbine and nozzles.

Engine Volkswagen AHD

The 2.5-liter Volkswagen AHD engine or LT 2.5 TDI was produced from 1996 to 1999 and was installed only on the second generation of the very popular LT minibus. After upgrading to Euro 3 environmental standards, this diesel engine gave way to an unit with the ANJ index.

Engine Volkswagen BJK

The 2.5-liter Volkswagen BJK or Crafter 2.5 TDI engine was produced from 2006 to 2010 and was installed only on the first generation of the popular Crafter minibus. After upgrading to more stringent EURO 5 environmental standards, such a diesel engine changed its index to CEBB.

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