Can the 2.0 be removed out the top

[Chad777]

Hello all!
I bought an 01 jetta wagon with a blown 2.0. I intended to swap the motor in my garage. Now that I have the car and replacement motor I noticed the Chilton Manual says the motor and trans should be dropped out the bottom, together. I don't have a vehicle lift and would prefer to take the motor out and leave the auto trans in. Can it be done? What problems should I expect?
Thanks!

[truefire04]

should be able to.... remove the hood and pull the motor out. just take your time. just make sure you take your time and label all the plug ends and were they go and just take your time... if your pulling motor and trans... make sure to unhook the axles...


and one important thing!!!!!!! TAKE YOUR TIME!!!!!!

[_FUBAR_]

Remove it from the front. No lift required.
MK4 Radiator Replacement DIY
You could follow the radiator removal DIY to pull the front end off.
Gives you lots of room to just slide the engine and trans out. Most do mk4 swaps this way.

[kirkgrau]

Originally Posted by _FUBAR_

Remove it from the front. No lift required.
MK4 Radiator Replacement DIY
You could follow the radiator removal DIY to pull the front end off.
Gives you lots of room to just slide the engine and trans out. Most do mk4 swaps this way.

This is timely to me. Daughter's 2000 Jetta (also the 2.0) seems to have lost the timing belt which research here indicates will render the engine useless. Looks like it is not the worst project to do a switch. Have located a used engine for $600. I am not the worst mechanic, but generally don't enjoy the work very much. Have a shop that will do a switch (used engine and labor) for $1300. Car is probably not worth much more than that so would like to do it myself. What am I looking at time wise and what are some of the "gotchas" that I should be watching for? I have time and tools. Other alternative is just haul it to a scrapper. Local guy said he would give me $400 for it with the bad engine.

Thanks for any insight offered,

Kirk

[stealthpassat]

Yes remove from front it will cut your time in half!

[Chad777]

How does removing it from the front make any sense. In addition to everything you would have to move to drop it out the bottom of the car you would also have to remove the entire front of the car. Doesn't make a bit of sense to me

[stealthpassat]

The front end swings like a door.

[_FUBAR_]

If you don't have a lift removing it from the bottom is a pain. You obviously have to get the car high enough in the air. Removing it from the front gives you so much room plus it takes maybe an hour or two to pull the front end off. You can leave the wheels on even if you pull it out from the front.

[Chad777]

Ok, you have me thinking pretty seriously about pulling it out the front

[Chad777]

Ok guys, I took your advice. Thank you. That front end came off pretty easy and really opened things up!