From 1991 to 1998, the Volkswagen AAA 2.8 VR6 2.8-liter injection engine was manufactured and fitted to charged versions of vehicles like the Golf, Jetta, Passat, and Sharan. The company’s VR-shaped powertrain family is thought to have originated with this motor.
AAA, AQP, ABV, and BUB are all part of the EA360 series.
Specifications
| Production years | 1991-1998 |
| Displacement, cc | 2792 |
| Fuel system | Motronic M2.9 |
| Power output, hp | 174 |
| Torque output, Nm | 235 |
| Cylinder block | cast iron VR6 |
| Block head | aluminum 12v |
| Cylinder bore, mm | 81 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 90.3 |
| Compression ratio | 10.0 |
| Features | no |
| Hydraulic lifters | yes |
| Timing drive | chain |
| Phase regulator | no |
| Turbocharging | no |
| Recommended engine oil | 5W-30 |
| Engine oil capacity, liter | 5.5 |
| Fuel type | petrol |
| Euro standards | EURO 2 |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km (for VW Sharan 1996) — city — highway — combined |
16.6 8.9 11.7 |
| Engine lifespan, km | ~280 000 |
The engine was installed on:
- Volkswagen Corrado 1 (509) in 1991 – 1995;
- Volkswagen Golf 3 (1H) in 1991 – 1997;
- Volkswagen Passat B3 (31) in 1991 – 1993; Passat B4 (3A) in 1993 – 1996;
- Volkswagen Sharan 1 (7M) in 1995 – 1998;
- Volkswagen Vento 1 (1H) in 1992 – 1998.
Disadvantages of the VW AAA engine
Owners of cars with such units typically complain about excessive fuel usage.
Oil consumption, which also increases with mileage, comes in second.
A short-lived, complicated, and costly timing chain replacement comes next.
Frequent sensor and ignition distributor failures are examples of minor issues.
These engines are also well-known for their frequent coolant and oil leaks.