Audi S4 2.7 V6 Biturbo
Everything for your 2001 S4 on one page: specs, diagrams, the 6-speed 01E gearbox, calculators, a service tracker, symptom finder, known weak points and one-click access to your whole factory manual library.
My car — enter your VIN and the whole guide adapts (saved in this browser only)
Decode checks the VIN offline (year, plant, check digit) and, only if you agree, also asks the free NHTSA vPIC database for model/engine details. Engine and transmission can always be set by hand; the guide, specs and manual library filter to your selection.
1 Quick specs
Your factory manual (APB, 09.1999→) and the common European variants side by side.
| Engine · US-spec APB (from factory manual 00-1) | |
|---|---|
| Engine code | APB (build from 09.1999) |
| Capacity | 2,671 cc (2.7 L) |
| Power | 250 hp @ 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft @ 1,800–4,500 rpm |
| Bore × stroke | 81.0 × 86.4 mm |
| Compression | 9.3 : 1 |
| Fuel | 98 RON min. (95 RON usable, power loss) · US: premium 91+ AKI |
| Firing order | 1-4-3-6-2-5 |
| Engine management | Motronic, closed-loop lambda, on-board diagnostic |
| Cam timing control | Yes (intake variable) · Secondary air: no · EGR: no |
| Turbocharging | Yes – twin turbo · catalytic converters: yes |
| Valve timing (1 mm lift, 0 mm clearance, VVT inactive) | |
|---|---|
| Inlet opens | 10° after TDC |
| Inlet closes | 20° after BDC |
| Exhaust opens | 38° before BDC |
| Exhaust closes | 8° before TDC |
| European variants ≈ | |
|---|---|
| AGB (1997–2000) | 265 PS / 195 kW @ 5,800 · 400 Nm @ 1,850–3,600 |
| ARY (2000–2002) | 265 PS · same output, updated ECU/emissions |
| Block / heads | Cast-iron block · aluminium 5-valve DOHC heads |
| Car ≈ | |
|---|---|
| Chassis | Audi A4 / S4 Typ 8D (B5), sedan & Avant |
| Drivetrain | Longitudinal V6, quattro (Torsen centre diff) |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual 01E (see gearbox section) · Tiptronic 01V was the auto option |
| Kerb weight | ≈ 1,550–1,650 kg (sedan / Avant) |
| 0–60 mph | ≈ 5.4–5.8 s |
| Wheels | 5 × 112 · centre bore 57.1 mm · bolts M14 × 1.5 (≈120 Nm / 89 lb-ft) |
| Front brakes | ≈ 312 mm vented discs (S4) |
Jump to the source documents
Technical data pages, straight from your library:
2 Engine layout & firing order
90° V6 viewed from above. Cylinders 1-2-3 sit on the right bank, 4-5-6 on the left bank (numbering from the front/belt end). The engine number is stamped on the block at the front of the right bank.
Firing sequence
Coil-on-plug: 6 individual coils with integrated output stages. Misfire on one cylinder = check that coil + plug first (swap coils between cylinders to confirm).
Where's the engine code?
Machined surface on the block, front of the right cylinder bank (code + serial, e.g. APB 000 405). Also on the vehicle data sticker (spare-wheel well / service book).
Engine manual pages (APB)
3 Timing drive
A toothed belt drives the exhaust camshafts (and water pump); short chains link each exhaust cam to its intake cam, which carries the variable-timing adjuster.
Timing belt service ≈
- Change belt every ~60–75k miles or 6 yrs (earlier is cheaper than an engine).
- Always replace tensioner, idler(s), water pump and thermostat at the same time.
- Inspect cam chains/guides while the covers are off; rattle on cold start = look at chain tensioners.
- Interference engine — a snapped belt usually bends valves.
Variable cam timing
Hydraulic adjusters on the intake cams, controlled by solenoids (N205/N208). Clean oil matters: dirty oil = sticky solenoids and rough idle or cam-timing DTCs.
4 Air & boost path
Twin parallel turbochargers (one per bank), two side-mounted intercoolers in the front bumper corners, a single drive-by-wire throttle body, and recirculation (diverter) valves to protect the compressors when you lift.
Stock boost ≈
Peak ≈ 0.8–1.0 bar (12–15 psi) absolute-gauge, tapering at high rpm. Anything far below usually = leak, sticky diverter or N75/wastegate issue.
Fast leak hunt
- Smoke-test the charge system (best).
- Check intercooler end-tanks & hose clamps.
- Inspect all vacuum lines at the manifold & diverters.
5 Power & torque
A wide, flat torque plateau (1,800–4,500 rpm) is the characteristic of the twin-small-turbo setup — light spool, plenty of midrange.
6 Quattro drivetrain
Longitudinal engine → 6-speed manual (01E) or 5-speed Tiptronic (01V) → Torsen centre differential → front and rear final drives.
Transmission manuals in your library
Your folder covers the 5-speed 01A/01V family (related quattro final-drive and Torsen procedures). For your 6-speed 01E, start with the 01E section below.
Clutch & flywheel notes ≈
- Dual-mass flywheel: rattle at idle/shutdown = wear.
- Hydraulic clutch: bleed with DOT 4 (shares brake fluid).
- Stock clutch is the first thing to slip on a tuned car.
7 Gearbox — 01E 6-speed manual
The S4's 6-speed (VW/Audi code family 01E, the same unit family as the RS4 but with different 3rd/4th ratios) bolts straight to the engine and feeds the Torsen centre diff. Ratios below are community-sourced ≈ — confirm with the code stamped on your own gearbox.
| Gear | Ratio ≈ | Overall (× 4.11) |
|---|
Identification
- Family: 01E (6-speed, longitudinal, quattro).
- Community lists the S4 box as ID DSY (RS4 = FDP) ≈ — your 2001 US-spec code may differ.
- Final drive: 4.111 (37:9) ≈.
- Code is stamped on the case near the bell-housing; also on the build sticker.
Gear oil
- Synthetic 75W-90 to VW spec G 052 911 A2 (or equivalent, e.g. Castrol Syntrans/ Pentosin).
- Fill ≈ 3.4–3.5 L (includes ~0.3 L for oil cooler & lines) — fill to the filler hole.
- Front diff and rear diff have their own oil — change all three.
01E documents
External link — it isn't in your local folder. Save it into Transmission and I can add it to the library.
8 Gear & speed calculator
Pick tyre size, final drive and rpm to see road speed in every gear. Great for gearing up/down, tyre swaps and checking speedometer error.
Ignores clutch slip, tyre growth and speedometer error. Default tyre ≈ 235/40R17 (common S4 size).
9 01E care & weak points
What owners and rebuilders report on the 6-speed. Forum-sourced — treat as guidance, not factory data.
fix soon 1st/2nd gear synchros
watch Clutch, flywheel & hydraulics
watch Sloppy shifter / linkage bushings
watch Whine, bearings & leaks
info Torque tolerance
10 Maintenance schedule
Practical intervals for a ~25-year-old turbo V6 (≈ conservative, specialist-style). Check "Maintenance" PDFs in your library for the factory schedule.
| Item | Interval ≈ |
|---|---|
| Engine oil + filter | 5,000 mi / 6 mo (turbos like fresh oil) |
| Spark plugs | every 30k mi (boost & coil wear) |
| Ignition coils | replace as a set when misfires start (~80–100k) |
| Timing belt kit + water pump | 60–75k mi / 6 yrs |
| Air filter(s) | 15–20k mi |
| Coolant (G12) | every 2–3 yrs |
| Brake fluid (DOT 4) | every 2 yrs |
| Manual gearbox / diffs oil | 40–60k mi |
| Tiptronic ATF (01V) | 40–60k mi (pan + strainer) |
| Power-steering fluid | every 3–4 yrs |
| Diverter valves, hoses, clamps | inspect yearly |
| Fuel filter | 30–40k mi |
Service timeline
11 My service tracker
Set your odometer in My car, then enter when each job was last done. The tracker shows what's due — saved automatically in this browser.
12 Fluids & consumables
Typical spec — confirm with your VIN/year in the manuals or Audi parts lookup.
| Item | Specification ≈ |
|---|---|
| Engine oil | Fully synthetic 5W-40 to VW 502 00 / 505 00 · ≈ 4.5–5 qt (4.3–4.7 L) with filter — fill to the dipstick |
| Coolant | G12 / G12+ (pink/purple) mixed 50/50 with distilled water |
| Brake / clutch fluid | DOT 4, replace every 2 years |
| Power-steering fluid | Pentosin CHF 11S (VW G 004 000) |
| Tiptronic ATF | Dexron-III compatible / VW ATF G 052 025 A2 (check 37-133 PDF) |
| Manual gearbox & diffs | 75W-90 synthetic gear oil (see transmission PDFs for exact fill) |
| Spark plugs | Audi-spec/NGK/Bosch cold-range plugs, gap ≈ 0.8 mm (check parts catalogue for your code) |
| Fuel | Premium: 91+ AKI (98 RON) — 95 RON works with less power |
13 Symptom finder
Tap what the car is doing — get the likely causes in order of "check this first".
14 Common problems & fixes
Sorted roughly by how often they bite. Priority: fix soon watch minor
fix soon Failed diverter (recirculation) valves
fix soon Vacuum & boost leaks / brittle hoses
fix soon Overdue timing belt / tensioner
watch Ignition coils & misfires
watch Coolant flanges & leaks
watch Turbo wear / oil supply
minor MAF sensors (×2)
minor PCV / breather & oil leaks
minor Front suspension wear (B5 classic)
15 Diagnostics & codes
Quick reference for scan-tool work. Use a VAG-COM/OBDeleven-class tool for measuring blocks and adaptation.
| Code | Meaning ≈ / first checks |
|---|---|
| P0299 | Underboost — leaks, diverters, N75, wastegate |
| P0234 | Overboost — N75/hoses, wastegate stuck, tune |
| P0243 | N75 wastegate solenoid circuit |
| P0171 / P0174 | Lean bank 1 / 2 — vacuum or boost leak, MAF, fuel pressure |
| P0101 | MAF plausibility — sensor dirty/faulty, intake leak |
| P0300–P0306 | Misfire (random / cyl 1–6) — plugs, coils, injectors |
| P0420 / P0430 | Cat efficiency bank 1 / 2 — old cats, O2 sensors |
Useful scan-tool functions
- Address 01 Engine → read DTCs, measuring blocks (MAF, boost actual vs specified).
- Check specified vs actual boost under load (a data-log pull in 3rd gear).
- Fuel trims (long-term) tell you about vacuum leaks vs fuel delivery.
- Confirm misfire counters per cylinder.
16 Upgrades & sensible limits
What's popular on the 2.7T and where the weak links are.
Stage 1
ECU tune + metal diverters + test pipes/cat-back. Typical ≈ 300–340 hp on stock turbos. Needs healthy plugs/coils and fresh maintenance.
Stage 2 / K04
K04 turbo swap, bigger SMICs/FMIC, 440cc injectors, upgraded clutch & fueling. ≈ 350–420 hp. Boost control and cooling become critical.
Weak links
Clutch & dual-mass flywheel, 01E/Tiptronic torque tolerance, stock fuel pump, small SMICs, rubber vacuum parts. Plan drivetrain upgrades before power.
17 Parts list
Add parts as you read the manual, run a search or look up a problem — then export a shopping list. Every part can carry a part number, price, vendor, notes, and a link back to the exact manual page.
How to add parts
- In the manual viewer: press ＋ Add part (it links the part to that page), tap a part mentioned on the page, or add a ready-made job kit.
- From search: searching “timing belt”, “clutch”, “heater core”… shows a Typical parts kit.
- From problems: each fault card has a ＋ Parts button.
- Floating 🧰 button (bottom-left) opens your list anywhere.
Supplier catalogs
Per-part “Find” links search ECS Tuning, FCP Euro, Autohaus AZ, 034Motorsport, IND, Awesome GTI, Blauparts, RockAuto, eBay and Amazon using the part number (or name + your car). I can’t see live stock or prices — confirm fitment with your VIN before ordering.
18 Manual library — PDFs, one click
Every PDF from your Audi_A4-B5-chassis-Typ-8D-1994-2001 folder, grouped by system. Start with the S4 (APB / quattro) tab; the other engine families are kept separate so they don't clutter your searches.
Find a procedure
Browse by system
19 ID, codes & notes
Where to find codes
- VIN: base of windscreen (driver side) & B-pillar plate.
- Data sticker: spare-wheel well + service book (engine, gearbox, paint, option codes).
- Engine code: front of right bank on the block (e.g. APB).
Engine-code cheat sheet
| Code | Market / year ≈ | Output |
|---|---|---|
| AGB | EU, 1997–2000 | 265 PS |
| ARY | EU, 2000–2002 | 265 PS |
| APB | US, 2000–2002 (your manual) | 250 hp |