Unfortunately my 2018 A4 was written off in an accident, insurance have paid out, but have let me keep the car.

 

It's a 2.0 TDi 150bhp with a DEUA engine and 66k miles.

I have seen a 2023 Q5 for sale on Copart, with flood damage, so likely requiring an engine.

 

The Q5 has a DTPA engine, so you can see what I'm thinking! Is there a difference in the block and head of the 2 engines so that my A4 engine could be used in the Q5?

I would be doing the work myself, so labour is not an issue, don't mind swapping over any outside hardware from engine to engine, but if there are major internal differences then obviously there is no point, but it would be nice to utilize my "free" engine if at all possible!

Welcome Adrian,

Trying to look at this from the simplest viewpoint, I wouldn’t be too concerned about the mechanical damage side of this flood damaged vehicle - unless someone has tried to start it - but the total (and potentially more expensive ) damage to the electronics would put me off straight away.

I would think very very carefully about this before dipping my toe in the water. Pun intended. 
Regards,

Gareth. 

https://www.copart.co.uk/lot/94608105

 

Link to said vehicle. I know it's a risk, and I have a figure in my head where the risk is not worth the return, so would be prepared to take a gamble, at my price!

Quite a few of my cars/family members cars have been bought this way, and as I am able to repair (most) things myself, it usually leaves me with a great value for money car, and in a sick twisted way, a sense of achievement as I fixed it!

 

Fine Adrian,

So why are you thinking you will need to replace the engine, and not be concerned about most of the electronics having been submerged in water? I guess it’s from the school of thought which believes, dry it all out and everything will work just fine!

Good luck with that then.

Obviously there is a risk of electronics, but from an educated guess looking at the pictures, I don't think it's actually been flooded, more likely driven into water, and engine has ingested the water.

 

It's only the fact I have an engine here, owned from new, so know the history of it. I'm just looking to see if my block and head are compatible with the Q5, if not, then I can't see it worth me having to buy an engine.

 

Also as I said I have a price in mind for it where I am prepared to take a gamble on it, looking on Auto Trader it should be worth 30-35k if it wasn't damaged, my value on that one would be a LOT lower.

From a quick search on Partslink, the injectors, camshaft, conrods all share the same part number (injectors are a bit of a surprise, but I won't complain about that!)

 

So looks like I have a compatible engine, just a waiting game to see if it goes cheap enough for me now!