ky90025

What is the best way to change the cam seal on the back of the driver side cam? I have a 97' A4 with AFC engine. I noticed that there isn't that much room back there. I heard that one method is to drill 2 holes in seal and put two screw in it. There are seal pullers also but all this requires some space to work which doesn't seems to exist in the back of the head. I assume the seal is behind the cam position sensor.

I am planning to change all the cam and crank seals when I do my timing belt. According to 4driver4 there are 3 cam seals and 1 cam plug (cam plug is on the back of the passenger side head on AFC engines). Thanks.

Rusty Spokes

I think the best solution would be to plan on removing the valve covers on both sides. Remove the back cam holder(s) and replace the seal behind the cam speed sensor and the end plug on the passenger side too.

You can clean out the breather hoses while it is apart..clean the valve covers which may be very sludgy and clean the breather screens inside the valve covers too. I used dishwasher soap and a high pressure water hose on the valve covers and breather screens...the covers/screens were badly slugged up and some carb cleaner (be careful with the plastic covers) with soap and water did the trick.

On my other 12v V6 I got some Audi aluminum valve covers from the local pull a part and just replaced the plastic covers. I think the metal covers are a better part. See if you have a donor Audi with the metal valve covers..get those and clean them up then do the work.

The metal valve covers have a different gasket from the plastic valve covers..be sure and get the correct part.

Try and find some 3x14 silicone "O" rings for the breather hoses, where they snap into the valve covers/intake..you need four..the 3x14 provide a better seal. McMaster-Carr has them part number 5233T8

Once the valve covers are all cleaned up and the breather screens and hoses are all clear and clean..your oil leaks will be much less or eliminated.

ky90025

If I remove the rear cam caps (on the driver side) does the seal drop out? I know the cam plug on the passenger side comes out if you remove the rear cam cap.

Thanks for the advice for the o-ring replacement on the breather tubes. Mine are kind of old and loose. I retrofitted some fuel lines for the brittle plastic lines that cracked years ago on the breather lines.

Rusty Spokes

You have to remove the cam speed sensor housing and shutter wheel..the head casting is the same so the seal will come out like the plug on the passenger side...as I recall.

ky90025

Thanks I will pull the valve cover off when I am replacing the cam seals. Looks like it will make it easier to remove as well has install the seals.

Rusty Spokes

Yes..and new valve cover gaskets are a good thing too.

See if you can source some aluminum valve covers...the gaskets are different. Try a local pull a part. The metal valve covers are a better part, IMHO.