2005 Audi A6 -- Oil Leak

[MP_AUDI_A6]

Greetings all, I am new to the board and have read with pleasure the exchanges that have been posted here! I am reaching out to the community to receive some wisdom, as well as a reality check, regarding two things: (1) cost of repairing an oil leak, and (2) the implications of the repairs. Here goes. (1) COST OF REPAIRS I drive an '05 A6 with 120k on it (purchased off a lease with 44k and religiously maintained thereafter). A few weeks ago, I began noticing a few oil drops, about the size of a quarter, (coming from the "front of the engine" as far as I could tell) and brought the car to a local mechanic who put it up on the lift. The mechanic told me the seals are leaking and I have to replace the "rear covers" and the "valve covers" (apologies in advance for not getting the exact terminology correct). He approximated the cost of repairs @$1,000.00. I then bring the car to the Audi dealer I normally get it serviced (North Jersey). The dealer quotes me $3,800.00 to replace the (1) two "covers of the timing chain at the back of the engine," and (2) "valve cover gaskets." When I asked why it is so expensive, the service tech told me that it is a "labor intensive" project, they have to "drop the engine" from the bay, "de-couple" the engine from the transmission and that it will take "3 days" to complete the repairs. This estimate just sounds LUDICROUS to me. I read somewhere on this message board that someone had the timing chain covers replaced for $700.00 and took two days, but $3,800.00??????. Please advise if this cost is normal or not or just plain theft. (2) IMPLICATION OF REPAIRS A dealer friend of mine equated the above repairs to "open heart surgery" on a person. He said once the dealer does these repairs, the engine will not be the same and it's likely the car will start having additional problems in the near future (read "money pit") given the age of the car (2005) and the mileage (@120k), so I should get rid of the car now. So, what do you think is the best course of action. Please advise. THANK YOU ALL IN ADVANCE!!!

[KevinGary]

The dealer replaced the valve cover gaskets in my 05 4.2 under warranty when I had about 45k miles. They did indeed have the car for 3 or 4 days and the service tech said it was a bitch. I know have 103k miles and no problems at all. I cant help you with price estimates since it was done under warranty.

[pcamaj]

i too had my seals done by the dealer on a 05 4.2 with 74K at the time. the cost was $3000.00
i didnt have any engine problems since then, now with 105K

however, they did mess up my transmission. and right after ended up replacing the valve body.

if you do it in the dealer, which you should, since its a big job make sure a decent tech with some experience does the job.

unless you want to get rid of it....

good luck.

[MP_AUDI_A6]

Thank you very much! It puts things in perspective (regarding cost)

[MP_AUDI_A6]

Thank you!

[cebo0650]

I just had the valve cover gaskets replaced by my dealer, as one of the started to leak very slowly. The cost was just over $200 with parts and labor.

[MP_AUDI_A6]

Thanks. It still blows my mind, how much the dealer wants for the rear engine seals.

One more thing, the price quote I received from the dealer simply says "R/I engine and reseal rear cover (oil leak)." Shouldn't the quote break down the actual work to be performed and itemize the parts and labor costs?

[pcamaj]

Originally Posted by MP_AUDI_A6

Thanks. It still blows my mind, how much the dealer wants for the rear engine seals.

One more thing, the price quote I received from the dealer simply says "R/I engine and reseal rear cover (oil leak)." Shouldn't the quote break down the actual work to be performed and itemize the parts and labor costs?

they should be a bit more descriptive , considering the fact that the entire front end has to go, the gear box has to be detached.. etc. very delicate work, i tell you.

[Turborusty]

It's more akin to hemorrhoid surgery than open-heart. That would be if they were replacing the crankshaft.

They are not opening the engine up, but rather taking off the cover and re-sealing it. Your engine should still be just fine when they're done.....unless they're completely incompetent douchebags.

The engine has to be completely removed because the seals are on the rear, between the engine and transmission.......listing out every step on your bill woud be ridiculous. And they are itemizing the bill...."remove and reinstall the engine to replace the seals"...that's exactly what they're doing. Nearly all of your costs will be in labor as they're only replacing a seal.......or in this case, 3 seals(including valve covers).

I would go with your independent guy, since he's handily $2,800 less than your Audi dealer.


Turborusty

[MP_AUDI_A6]

I would go with your independent guy, since he's handily $2,800 less than your Audi dealer.

I spoke with an independent mechanic who works only on german cars and I will get a quote from him next week (when I went there all I saw were BMWs and Porsches, and he comes recommended by a independent car dealer I know) He provides a 6 month/6k warranty on all of his work.

Since I want to keep the car I guess I will go ahead with the work. I just have reservations about the "next" wrong thing that will go with this '05 A6..... ARGHHH!