96' A6 Head gasket replacement
 

I am about to pull my heads to replace the gaskets(oil in the coolant system). Can anyone advise me of any surprises. I have pulled lots of heads. I just need to know of any special tools? Does Audi recommend head bolt replacement?

tools
 

not sure if you head has the same bolts as my 92, but to take the old head bolts off, I needed an E-14 socket. go to NAPA and tell them E-14 and they will know. it looks like a 6 point with deeper stars. a 12 point socket will fit on there, but DON'T do it, as you are likely to round it off.

On new bolts, unfortunately yes and surprise, audi engineers decided to make you buy yet another tool. at first glance, you might thing they are like a metric torx until you try to get on in there. the tool has a funny name (can't rememhber) and most auto parts places (even good ones) don't have it. if you know someone at a good audi shop, they may loan it to you. otherwise, find a snap on dealer, who know what it is.

other than that, leave the exhaust manifold on. only disconnect the down pipe connection and tak the heads off with the mani attached. other than that, the bolts on the back of the heads where the cross over coolant pipe connects are fun too.

Original Audi tool
 

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/85015/audi_cylinder_bolts_tool.jpg"></center><p>

It's called Ribe. Do a search on Ebay for Ribe bits - in England we have Britool & SP
 

<ul><li><a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&amp;category=30928&amp;item =7984914888&amp;rd=1&amp;ssPageName=WDVW">I bought a set from this guy who is local to me, he may ship to US if you ask via e-mail. His stuff is good quality.

for tools...
 

try; zdmak com they have the old style tool for the old bolts and the new style tool