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.