VW/Audi 3.6 FSI VR6 EA390 Engine Specs, Problems, Reliability. The VW 3.6 FSI engine is a VR6 (narrow V household EA390) gasoline 3.6-liter engine. It was first presented to Audi Q7 in 2005 (BHK and BHL engines) and later on to other VW automobiles: Passat R36 and CC (BLV, BWS), Phaeton (CHNA and CMVA), Touareg (CGRA and etc). The 3.6-liter version was develop from the 3.2 V6 FSI engine installed in Audi models. The bigger displacement offered a visible boost in power and torque compared to the 3.2 L engine.
The 3.6 FSI engine has a brand-new 10.6 degrees VR-shape cylinder block made of cast iron with lamellar graphite. The cylinder offset was also changed from 12.5 mm to 22 mm. The measurement of the new cylinder block is the same as the 3.2 VR6 manifold injection engine. The oil pump is incorporated into the engine block. Now, the engine has actually cast iron crankshaft but still carried by seven main bearings. There are also new aluminum alloy pistons with a graphite coating.
The 3.6 VR6 engine has 24-valve cylinder head made of a hypereutectic ‘Alusil’ aluminum-silicon alloy (AlSi17Cu4Mg). The cylinder head style corresponds the 3.2 FSI V6 engine head. The engine has double overhead chain-driven camshafts. One camshaft is for all consumption valves, and one for all exhaust valves. Both of them are equipped with constant timing modification. The variable valve timing system has a following maximum change of the camshafts: 52 degrees for the intake timing; 42 degrees for the exhaust. The cylinder head has 4 valves per cylinder (24 valves overall). They have an unequal length. The size of the intake valves is 33.2 mm; the diameter of the exhaust valves is 30.2 mm; the valve stem diameter of both valves is 6 mm. The valves are activated by low-friction roller finger webcam fans equipped with hydraulic valve clearance settlement.
The engine has a direct fuel injection FSI (Fuel Stratified Injection). The fuel injectors are installed from the consumption sides. The bores for cylinders 1, 3 and 5 are located above the consumption manifold; the fuel injectors for cylinders 2, 4 and 6 are set up below the consumption manifold. The high-pressure fuel pump lies on the cylinder head and driven by the camshaft timing chain. It produces fuel the pressure of 1,595 psi (110 bars). The 3.6 FSI has a plastic variable length intake manifold with the power and torque positions changed by opening and closing the flap control valve. The power settings are actuated at 0-1,200 and 4,000+ rpm; the torque position is turned on in between 1,200 and 4,000 rpm. The engine also has actually an electronically controlled throttle valve/body (drive by wire).
The engine is managed by ECU Bosch Motronic MED 9.1. The ignition is also electronic. The exhaust system is geared up with two pre-catalytic converters and 2 main catalytic converters. With all these functions, the 3.6 FSI engine complies with the Low Emission Automobile (LEV2) and European Euro 5 emission standards.
Table of Contents
VW/Audi 3.6 FSI VR6 EA390 Engine Problems and Reliability
The Volkswagen 3.6 l VR6 FSI engine is extremely reliable and long lasting engine and it easily reaches 250,000 miles (400,000 km) mileage and more. It is required premium fuel and oil with routine oil change and proper upkeep. There are very few common problems discovered in customer’s reports about this engine. We can only single out some problems with ignition coils in very first years of production. Likewise, the engines with big mileage can have oil leaks from crankshaft oil seals.
VW/Audi 3.6 FSI VR6 EA390 Engine Modifications
- CDVA – 191 kW (260 hp) at 6,000 rpm, 258 lb-ft (330Nm) at 2,500-5,000 rpm. This version has low compression ratio 11.4:1. Application: Skoda Superb 4×4 DSG.
- BLV – 206 kW (280 hp) at 6,200 rpm, 266 lb-ft (360Nm) at 2,750 rpm. The engine is for North America and Middle-East just. Application: VW Passat B6 3.6 FSI, VW Passat B6 R36.
- BWS – 221 kW (300 hp) at 6,600 rpm, 295 lb-ft (400Nm) at 2,400-5,300 rpm. This is a VW Passat engine.
you must see more engine detail in here: Engine – US Cars News or you can see on wiki here
VW/Audi 3.6 FSI VR6 EA390 Engine Specs
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen AG |
| Production years | 2005-present day |
| Cylinder block material | Cast Iron |
| Cylinder head material | Aluminum |
| Fuel type | Diesel |
| Fuel system | Direct fuel injection |
| Configuration | VR |
| Number of cylinders | 8 |
| Valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Valvetrain layout | DOHC |
| Bore, mm | 89.0 mm (3.50 in) |
| Stroke, mm | 96.4 mm (3.80 in) |
| Displacement, cc | 3,598 cc (219.6 cu in) |
| Type of internal combustion engine | Four-stroke, naturally aspirated |
| Compression Ratio | 12.1:1 11.4:1 – CDVA engine |
| Power, hp | 260-300 hp (191-221kW)/ 6,000-6,600 |
| Torque, lb ft | 258-295 lb-ft (350-400 Nm)/ 2,500-5,300 |
| Engine weight | – |
| Firing order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Engine oil weight | VW 502.00/504.00; SAE 5W-30, 5W-40 |
| Engine oil capacity, liter | 6.7 (7.1 qts) |
| Oil change interval, mile | 9,000 (15,000 km) or 12 month |
| Applications | VW Passat, VW Passat CC, VW Touareg, VW Phaeton, VW Teramont/Atlas, Audi Q7, Skoda Superb, Porsche Cayenne |