Audi 80 Quiz
Engines

Crankshaft

In this manual: Engines
Technical Description — 39Engines — 41Exhaust System — 13Cooling System — 28Fuel tank and fuel pump — 12Air Filter and Intake Ducts — 13Mono-Motronic Injection System — 18Digifant Injection System — 19KE-III-Jetronic Injection System — 35MPI and MPFI Injection Systems — 32Clutch — 11Transmission and Driveline — 21Suspension and Steering — 33Brake System — 41Anti-lock brake system — 8Wheels and Tires — 13Body Electrical System — 35Ignition System — 24Lighting — 14Signaling Devices — 7Instruments and Auxiliary Equipment — 54Heating and Ventilation — 7Body Components — 18Troubleshooting — 6Specifications — 13
~1min read

The function of the crankshaft is to convert the linear up-and-down movement of the pistons in the cylinders into rotary motion.


The connecting rods, which link the pistons to the crankshaft, act on the crankshaft and are attached to its crankpins. Counterweights are positioned opposite the crankpins to prevent excessive vibration.


To prevent the crankshaft from deflecting during operation, it is supported on five main bearing journals in the 4-cylinder engine and on six in the 5-cylinder engine. Each crankpin is thus supported by a bearing on both sides. The 6-cylinder engine differs: to save space, two connecting rods always sit between two main bearings. As a result, this engine has a total of 4 main bearings.


At the rear of the crankshaft, in the direction of travel, is a disc with a ring gear for the starter motor. This is the flywheel, on which the clutch is mounted and thus the connection to the transmission is made, or the driven plate, to which the torque converter of the automatic transmission is attached. The drive sprocket for the timing belt and the pulley are mounted on the other end of the crankshaft.

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