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Camshaft Valley Seal

Old 09-30-2008, 10:13 AM
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Default Camshaft Valley Seal

I am replacing my valve cover gasket as well as the cam tensioner gasket. Do I need to replace the camshaft valley seal too? What type of RTV should I use?
Old 09-30-2008, 10:19 AM
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Default It comes with the VCG. Don't use any silicone on the gaskets. I use a little gasket glue..

use a little RTV in the 90 degree corners where the VCG comes up and down onto the cam caps.
Old 09-30-2008, 10:22 AM
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<center><img src="http://goodspeedmotoring.com/images/up/0890100048.jpg"></center><p>Here's is the factory equivalent sealant. Both gaskets should come as a set(valve cover &amp; valley).
Old 09-30-2008, 10:28 AM
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Default can I use Permatex or equivalent?

Gotcha. I ordered a valve cover gasket kit from German Auto parts. So it will come with the valley seal? I forgot the cam tensioner gasket so I am going to swing by the dealer to pick that up today. I have the #3366 tool as well.

So I should put the valve cover gasket on dry? What does the Bentley recommend?

Can I substitute Permatex black or something like that? I can't justify paying $60 for the Audi sealant, lol, especially if it leaks!!!
Old 09-30-2008, 11:15 AM
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Default Only thing in VCG set was a one piece gasket, for me at least.

Nothing for the tensioners.
Old 09-30-2008, 11:41 AM
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Default The tensioners are a different kit. The VCG kit would be the outer gasket, and the one..

for the 'valley' or the area where the spark plugs live.
Old 09-30-2008, 11:42 AM
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Default I have the cam tensioner gasket set, and I'm not going to use it

From GermanAutoParts.com for 1998 A4 V6 5V. I was about to ask to return it to them.

Stupid repair shop I asked to do the job wouldn't do the cam tensioner gaskets, saying simply they don't need to be changed. Lazy bast*rds!

Valve cover gasket sets from GermanAutoparts.com do not include any sealant.
Old 09-30-2008, 11:52 AM
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Default a response....

<center><img src="http://i36.tinypic.com/24fhc0y.jpg"></center><p>I generally stick with the factory sealant or Wurth. The valve cover gasket set should come with the gasket that fits around the sprak plug gallies in the head as well as the one that fits around the perimeter.
The cam tensioner gasket set should come with a metal gasket and the half-moon seal. I'm not close to my manual, but generally I degrease the contact areas for the tensioner completely. The gasket seems to work best with a very light coating of sealant on the hatched areas, corners of the VCG, corners of metal gasket, top &amp; edges of half moon seal. You might see if you can obtain the torque spec for those bolts as its quite small and over torqing the bolts can cause leaks.
Regards
Old 09-30-2008, 12:34 PM
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Default

Oh yeah. Those came too.
Old 09-30-2008, 12:54 PM
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Default a little Permatex black on the verticals + cam tensioner gasket

My 1.8T valve cover kit came with the inner and outer gaskets. The outer one is a complete piece with a half-moon molded into it in one location. It looks like all I am missing is the cam tensioner gasket.

I'll use a little Permatex black on the verticals, but that is about it. I am not going to spend $60 on an oem sealant that leaks after 60k. What is that worth?

It really seems like you should do all of the gaskets at once. I am doing them all now as I have the whole front off the car to do the timing belt. My car has 83k. The gaskets are weeping and they look messy, so it is time to do them, but they don't drip oil.

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