Quick Tip When Replacing Vacuum Pump on 3.0T Engines

[arjun90]

This will save yourself from aggravation and strain on the back while replacing the hardware for the vacuum pump which attaches to the driver side engine block. . There is very little clearance between the radiator fans and front engine block. Even medium-sized hands will not do.
Also, although I went with a OEM Pierburg (Made in China) and Victor Ruiz Gasket, do yourself a favor and buy the genuine Audi pump (likely still Made in Germany) and gasket (there is a clearly a difference in build quality when compared side by side). My order for the genuine parts is still on its way from overseas. I couldn't wait any longer so now the genuine parts are on reserve for my Q5 when the time comes.

[luketc1]

Good/important tip for this job! I used my trusty Klein tools 65200 mini ratchet to navigate the tight clearances on this job. Rebuilt my pump internals using the RKX kit but used the original Victor Reinz gasket to attach to the block in lieu of the RKX gasket. Curious who Victor Ruiz is, is it Mr. Reinz's latino cousin?

Keep wrenching people!

[arjun90]

Lol, I had to cancel my order from OEMVWShop because they could not ship me the replacement bumper cover and grille (I just wanted to refresh the front of my wagon), oh well, at least the $2k I saved can be used on something more critical like the upper timing chain tensioners lol