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Currently EA888 Gen1 and Gen2 ONLY!

Looking for a real EA888 balance shaft delete while retaining the original water pump drive? This is our solution.

This kit performs a true partial balance shaft delete. It includes a brand-new precision-ground and balanced 4340 shaft that retains the original water-pump drive while the secondary shaft is partially deleted so the unnecessary rear counterweight section is completely removed.

This reduces the combined balance shaft rotating mass by approx. 1 kg reducing inertia and improving engine response while keeping the OE mechanical water pump drive.

A minor increase in engine vibration should be expected. This product is intended for owners who prioritize reliability, improved oil-pressure and reduced rotating mass over OEM smoothness.

The problem we’re solving...

The factory EA888 Gen1/Gen2 balance-shaft arrangement is well known for oiling-related problems. The small plastic balance-shaft screens can clog, melt, oil flow can become restricted, bearing wear follows, and hot oil pressure can suffer. In more serious cases the shafts can seize and cause major engine damage.

Why this is a good approach

• Deletes unnecessary rotating mass
• Retains the original water pump drive
• Helps retain engine oil pressure by eliminating the rear oil gallery correctly
• Removes a known weak point from the factory setup
• Well suited to fast-road and performance builds

Oil-pressure retention

The partially deleted secondary shaft has a rear oil gallery which must be blocked correctly during installation.

For that reason we supply a new rear bearing shell. The original rear bearing must be removed and the new shell installed and clocked in the correct position so that it blocks the rear oil gallery and retains oil pressure.

This step is essential. Depending on vehicle access this procedure may require removal of the gearbox and/or engine.

Plastic Oil screens

This kit does not include the original-style plastic oil screens for the balance-shaft housing. That is intentional.

These small screens are widely regarded as a weak point on EA888 Gen1/Gen2 engines because they can deform, clog, or restrict oil flow with age, heat and debris. Not reinstalling them removes a known restriction point and helps avoid the seizure risk associated with the factory screened oil feed. (Audi themselves issued service guidance to remove a damaged cam-bridge plastic screen in some of their 2.0L engine which supports the general principle of removing a problematic small oiling screen rather than letting it become a restriction point. 15 16 30 2045732/1 October 25, 2016.)

What is included in this listing:

• Partially deleted balance shaft (left side)
• Brand-new precision-ground and balanced 4340 balance shaft with retained water-pump drive (right side)
• Rear balance-shaft bearing shell to block the rear oil gallery correctly
• New rear water-pump drive seal
• Both shaft assemblies are supplied pre-assembled and pre-lubed to assist with the initial startup before full engine oil pressure is established

What we do not send with the order:

• No plastic foam sleeve/tube for the left shaft, because that end of the original shaft is completely removed and no longer required
• No plastic balance-shaft oil screens
• No fitting instructions/manual

Important note

This product is intended for engines where the owner understands and accepts the trade-off of a balance shaft delete: reduced rotating mass and removal of a known weak point in exchange for a small increase in engine vibration compared with stock.

Fitment — EA888 Gen 1 & Gen 2 only
Not for EA888 Gen 3.

Typical OE repair-kit refs: 06H 198 205 A / 06H 198 205 F (and supersessions). Not for Gen 3 (06K/06L).