2005 Audi A6 -- Oil Leak

[Social_Ave]

Having my Valve covers done next week. (2005 A6 4.2) Dealer quoted me 900.00 but I have a guy that is going to do it for less than half, using OEM parts also. will let you know how it goes.

[BoxcuTTer]

Originally Posted by 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.

Like you, I just had valve cover gasket work done on my 3.2 (only one side) and it was $140 installed. Why is the labor so much more intensive on the 4.2?

[KevinGary]

Originally Posted by BoxcuTTer

Like you, I just had valve cover gasket work done on my 3.2 (only one side) and it was $140 installed. Why is the labor so much more intensive on the 4.2?

Could be 24 valves compared to 40 valves. Could be that the 4.2 is so wedged in that you have to remove the nose of the car to replace the fan belt. Probably some other reasons too.

[KnappAttack]

Changed my valve cover gasket on my 2005 4.2 myself for just the price of the Gaskets. Found gasket set online for around $100. Took only a few hours including plug and air filter change and I'm not a specialized Audi mechanic. My 4.2 is almost ready to roll 140,000 miles and the biggest problem I've had was the heat blowing thru outside vents. This 05 has been a far better car than my old 2002 2.7t. I'm really surprised it has been as reliable as it's been. Had the normal trunk latch issue and updating of the MMI software. The last 100,000 miles has been just awesome. Hope I didn't just jinx myself. I love this car and hope it continues to behave. I want to run it as long as I can that's for sure, the car has just been fantastic! Nice and tight and still feels just like a new one.

[beep-beep]

Originally Posted by KevinGary

Could be 24 valves compared to 40 valves. Could be that the 4.2 is so wedged in that you have to remove the nose of the car to replace the fan belt. Probably some other reasons too.

... like 4.2L A6 owners have more money

[KevinGary]

Originally Posted by beep-beep

... like 4.2L A6 owners have more money

We did before the repairs

[KevinGary]

Originally Posted by KnappAttack

My 4.2 is almost ready to roll 140,000 miles and the biggest problem I've had was the heat blowing thru outside vents. This 05 has been a far better car than my old 2002 2.7t. I'm really surprised it has been as reliable as it's been. Had the normal trunk latch issue and updating of the MMI software. The last 100,000 miles has been just awesome. Hope I didn't just jinx myself. I love this car and hope it continues to behave. I want to run it as long as I can that's for sure, the car has just been fantastic! Nice and tight and still feels just like a new one.

I am at 104K and am very happy with mine as well. It is also great to hear that yours is doing so well at 140K. Hopefully, mine continues to hold up as well as yours.

[KnappAttack]

Originally Posted by KevinGary

I am at 104K and am very happy with mine as well. It is also great to hear that yours is doing so well at 140K. Hopefully, mine continues to hold up as well as yours.

Yes, amazed to see how this one has done compared to the problem plagued 2002 I had. Only thing I don't like about my 05 is the tire wear. It eats tires for breakfast. Longest I've gone is 36,000 miles on a set. Usually more like 25,000-30,000. With the sport package it likes to chew up the insides of the fronts no matter who does an alignment. The rest of the tire will have half the tred left but the inside edges will be down to cords. They get rotated every 10,000 miles and all four will be down to steel belts showing. My 02 was hard on tires too! Wonder if its a all wheel drive thing or just excessive camber? And camber can not be altered on these things.

[KevinGary]

Originally Posted by KnappAttack

Yes, amazed to see how this one has done compared to the problem plagued 2002 I had. Only thing I don't like about my 05 is the tire wear. It eats tires for breakfast. Longest I've gone is 36,000 miles on a set. Usually more like 25,000-30,000. With the sport package it likes to chew up the insides of the fronts no matter who does an alignment. The rest of the tire will have half the tred left but the inside edges will be down to cords. They get rotated every 10,000 miles and all four will be down to steel belts showing. My 02 was hard on tires too! Wonder if its a all wheel drive thing or just excessive camber? And camber can not be altered on these things.

I only get 20k out of season dedicated tires. At least I get to keep driving the newest technology in tires.

[r1racer]

Originally Posted by 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!!!

1000 sounds about right but the 3800.00 is bull****! It cost my warranty co about 1100 to repair the seal around the timing chain covers all of which was labor as they do drop the engine and separate the transmission. Apparently it wasn't done correctly because it looks like I have another leak in the same spot and this time it's worse.

Personally, I think if it's done correctly by a mechanic that actually takes pride in his work there shouldn't be any problems but therein lies the real problem. I'm selling mine in the next few months while it's still under warranty and moving up to the C7 just to be on the safe side, however.