Name: Used Audi Cylinder Heads
Brand: Audi
Availability: InStock

Question 1

How much does a used Audi cylinder head cost in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Used Audi cylinder heads from UK breakers typically range from £350–£700 for common 2.0 TDI EA189 units, £400–£850 for the 2.0 TFSI EA888 Gen 2, £500–£1,050 for the Gen 3/4 EA888, £700–£1,750 for the 3.0 TDI V6, and £1,500–£3,500 for the 4.2 FSI V8 (RS4 B7 / RS5 8T). The V8 commands a significant premium because of its crack-prone reputation — surviving low-mileage heads from accident-damaged cars are genuinely scarce.

Question 2

Are used cylinder heads pressure tested before sale?

Accepted Answer

Reputable UK breakers will pressure-test heads or at minimum carry out a crack detection check (Magnaflux or dye penetrant) before sale. Always ask whether the head has been pressure tested, and request confirmation in writing. A head that has not been tested may have hairline cracks invisible to the naked eye — particularly the 4.2 FSI V8 head, which is known to crack between valve seats under heat cycling.

Question 3

Do cylinder heads come with cam caps and camshafts?

Accepted Answer

This varies by breaker and by engine type. On most VAG engines, cam caps are machined to the head and are not interchangeable — so they should always be supplied with the head they came off. Camshafts are sometimes included, sometimes sold separately. Clarify exactly what is included (head only, head with cams, head with complete valve train) before agreeing to a price. For the EA888, confirm whether the variable cam timing actuators (cam phasers) are included.

Question 4

What causes Audi cylinder head failure?

Accepted Answer

The most common causes are: overheating due to coolant loss (often from a failed water pump or burst hose), which warps or cracks the head; the 4.2 FSI V8 valve seat recession under sustained high-RPM use; the 2.0 TDI EA189 head gasket failure (swelling between cylinders 3 and 4); and physical damage from timing chain failure — if the chain jumps, valves can bend and damage the head. Addressing the root cause before fitting a replacement is essential.

Question 5

Is a used head as good as a reconditioned head?

Accepted Answer

A used head from a low-mileage donor vehicle — especially one sourced from an accident-damaged car rather than a worn-out engine — can be in better condition than a budget remanufactured head. The key difference is that a remanufactured head has been skimmed flat, pressure tested, and fitted with new valve stem seals as standard. With a used head, confirm whether these operations have been performed. For the 4.2 FSI V8, some buyers prefer a tested used head over a remanufactured unit because independent reconditioning quality on this engine varies.

Question 6

Do I need to supply the VIN or engine code when enquiring?

Accepted Answer

Yes — always supply both the engine code (stamped on the block, visible through the oil cap aperture or listed on your service booklet) and the VIN. Different generations of visually similar engines can have different combustion chamber geometry, injector configurations, or port layouts. The EA888 2.0 TFSI is a good example: Gen 1 (port injection plus direct injection hybrid) differs significantly from Gen 2 and Gen 3 (direct injection only), and heads are not interchangeable between generations.

Question 7

Can cylinder heads be delivered nationwide?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Cylinder heads are relatively compact and can be shipped via standard parcel or pallet courier to all mainland UK addresses. Most breakers in our network despatch within 48–72 hours on in-stock units. Delivery typically takes 2–4 working days. Confirm packaging with the supplier — heads should be shipped in a sealed bag with valve protection to prevent debris contamination.

Question 8

Are injectors included with diesel cylinder heads?

Accepted Answer

Usually not — diesel injectors (particularly common-rail units) are coded to the engine ECU in modern TDI engines and should ideally remain with the vehicle they were calibrated against. However, some breakers include them for completeness. If injectors are included with a TDI head, confirm whether they are included in the price or listed separately, and note that you will likely need to have them coded to your ECU by a VAG specialist before the engine will run cleanly.

Cylinder Head	Common Fitments	Price Range (GBP)
2.0 TDI EA189 (pre-2015)	A4 B8, A5 8T, A6 C7, Q5 8R	£350 – £700
2.0 TDI EA288 (EU6)	A4 B9, A5 F5, Q3 F3, Q5 FY	£400 – £800
1.8 TFSI EA888 Gen 1/2	A3 8P/8V, A4 B7/B8, TT Mk2	£300 – £650
2.0 TFSI EA888 Gen 2	A3 8P/8V, A4 B8, Q5 8R, TT Mk2	£400 – £850
2.0 TFSI EA888 Gen 3/4	A3 8V/8Y, A4 B9, Q3 F3 (port+DI)	£500 – £1,050
3.0 TDI V6 EA897	A6 C7/C8, A7, A8 D4/D5, Q5, Q7	£700 – £1,750
4.2 FSI V8 EA824 (per head)	RS4 B7, RS5 8T, A8 D3, R8 Type 42	£1,500 – £3,500
2.5 TFSI 5-cyl EA855	RS3 8V, TT RS 8J/8S	£900 – £2,200

Used Audi Cylinder Heads —
UK Breaker Network

All Major Engine Families

Pressure-Tested Available

UK-Wide Courier Delivery

Audi Cylinder Head Variants Covered

2.0 TFSI EA888 (Petrol)

2.0 TDI (Diesel)

4.2 FSI V8 (RS4 / RS5)

3.0 TDI V6 (Diesel)

Used Audi Cylinder Head Price Guide — UK Market

How a Cylinder Head Enquiry Works

Used vs Remanufactured: Which Is Right for Your Audi?

Audi Cylinder Heads Across the UK

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Used Audi Cylinder Heads — UK Breaker Network