Oil leaking...
12-17-2004, 04:50 AM
#1
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
Oil leaking...
Ok, the old girl is showing some of the mileage now. I switched to Mobil 1 0w-40 for the last two oil changes. I am suspecting that this car was not conditioned with synthetic before because I am leaking oil out of the head gasket. I am wondering if I switch back to regular grade oil at 10w-30, if this situation will improve. I think that the head gasket might be going so I'm gonna prepare to replace that. Anyone know how involved it is to replace the head gasket DIY? Do you have to remove the cams from the heads to do so? Any suggestions on this would be great.
12-17-2004, 05:04 AM
#2
Are you SURE it"s the head gasket? Leaks in the head gasket are really hard to see.....
up under the exhaust manifold. There are several things that could be leaking above the head gasket and make it look like it's leaking. Is the leak on the driver's or passenger's side? If it is the head gasket (I hope not!) it is a big job for a DIYer to take on, but doable. I don't believe that the cams need to be removed to remove the head, but I wouldn't swear to it. The only special tools I can think of that would be needed are the timing belt removal tools, and maybe just the cam positioners.
12-17-2004, 05:13 AM
#5
If it's above the exhaust manifold, it isn't the head gasket......
The head gasket joint is below the exhaust manifold- the exhaust manifold is part of the head. If it is at the rear of the engine I would suspect the rear cam cover seals. A leak there can migrate all over the place. If not at the back of the engine, I would thoroughly check the valve cover gaskets, breather hoses, and anything else you can think of.
12-17-2004, 05:16 AM
#6
AudiWorld Super User
How much is leaking?
I have had a similar leak since shortly after I bought my car....but it's on the right front of the engine.....I think it's actually a plate that bolts on in the front....Jack had a similar problem.
It's actually behind the cam covers....you can see what it looks like here when it leaks:
<img src="http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/enginemechanical/tbp75.JPG">
And it wasn't leaking when I got the car at 44K.....but it started leaking afterwards and I put in Mobil 1 right away.
If yours is leaking due to synthetic, it's because it cleaned away the deposits from the dino oil (and so the gasket is dried up in that location).....so putting dino oil back in is not going to create those deposits in the same place and plug the leak.
Post some pictures....many times a very small oil leak looks like a big one.
Bring it to a car wash place and wash the side of the motor with the engine clean stuff and see how long it takes to come back. I had small leaks on the side too, but since I cleaned the motor last summer, there is really no sign of them.
It's actually behind the cam covers....you can see what it looks like here when it leaks:
<img src="http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/enginemechanical/tbp75.JPG">
And it wasn't leaking when I got the car at 44K.....but it started leaking afterwards and I put in Mobil 1 right away.
If yours is leaking due to synthetic, it's because it cleaned away the deposits from the dino oil (and so the gasket is dried up in that location).....so putting dino oil back in is not going to create those deposits in the same place and plug the leak.
Post some pictures....many times a very small oil leak looks like a big one.
Bring it to a car wash place and wash the side of the motor with the engine clean stuff and see how long it takes to come back. I had small leaks on the side too, but since I cleaned the motor last summer, there is really no sign of them.
12-17-2004, 05:18 AM
#7
AudiWorld Super User
I would suggest one of those blacklight test kits - I just got one for about $60
and it narrows down exactly where the leak is coming from. Has die for coolant, oil and A/C. Well worth having around..
Bob
Bob
Trending Topics
12-17-2004, 05:18 AM
#8
AudiWorld Super User
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My $.02
If you are 100% sure where the oil is comming from. try to fix that part.. however with me, i had a fealing audi didnt know where the oil leak was. Insteak of me going to them 3 or 4 times at $500 a pop i decided to have them change the head gasket. 1. Because i know they would have to replace every seal on top of the engine. 2. It would save me time in the long run. I went to audi 4 times aobt the oil leak and got 4 different answers to where the leak was. Each of them un related and all approx 1/4 of the cost of a head gasket. I didnt want to play hide an seek with the dealer.
12-17-2004, 05:42 AM
#9
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 801
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
May be your valve cover gasket....
When you bust a head gasket, you will see oil inside your coolant system. You're coolant expansion tank would look like ****.
The valve cover gasket would cause oil to leak down the sides of the engine. You would most likely see and smell the burning oil dripping on to the engine block. I just got mine replaced on my 1.8t for $150. I'm assuming since you have a V8, the labor and parts would be more expensive.
Matt
The valve cover gasket would cause oil to leak down the sides of the engine. You would most likely see and smell the burning oil dripping on to the engine block. I just got mine replaced on my 1.8t for $150. I'm assuming since you have a V8, the labor and parts would be more expensive.
Matt
12-17-2004, 07:19 AM
#10
Audiworld Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
not to mention that your car would over-heat.
the tell tell sign of a blown Head Gasket is that the car overheats and sucks down the coolant. The coolant would be leaking into the oil, so your coolant leavel would be very low. I think the others are correct, it's probably the valve cover... NO BIGGIE!