B5 A4 2.8 30V 5sp smells like oil no leaks

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Aug 7, 2007 | 08:36 PM

tkinney

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B5 A4 2.8 30V 5sp smells like oil no leaks

I cant find an answer to this type of inquiry on the forum. I have a 30V 2.8 with 121,000mi. I can smell a slight oil smell while sitting in traffic or after parking. Especially if I have driven the car hard (which happens regularly). Anyone have any ideas what it could be? ANy help is appreciatted.

Travis

Aug 7, 2007 | 08:49 PM

77'911

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a comment....

<center><img src="http://img.eautopartscatalog.com/live/B2010124961CON.JPG"></center><p>You might check:
-valve cover gaskets
-cam chain tensioner gaskets
Its also worth checking or replacing the pvc in the breather hose(in pic).

Aug 7, 2007 | 08:53 PM

tkinney

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Re: a comment....

Thank you so much for the help. What would be the best way to check each of these? I replaced the timing belt, water pump, thermostat about 20,000 miles ago on my own. Any chance my poor mechanic skills caused the issue? I can handle a pcv valve quite easily, even a valve cover gasket wouldnt be bad however, are the cam chain tensioner gaskets tough? I am a decent mechanic but I do not know Audi's all that well. I have only changed the above one time. Thanks for your help.

Travis

Aug 7, 2007 | 09:24 PM

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Re: a comment....

<center><img src="http://samstagsales.com/images/vw_matra_3366.jpg"></center><p>Not a problem, glad to help if possible.If your going to DIY the cam chain tensioner gaskets, it helps to have the factory tool in the pic(Audi tool#3366). If the gaskets are leaking, the oil residue towards the rear of the engine(leaks onto exhaust manifold) should be fairly evident. You might have to remove those plastic engine covers to get a decent look.
If the pcv/breather hose assembly has not been replaced in the life of the car, you might consider just replacing it.Over time, they get fairly brittle and fill with coking. I replaced ours at 58k and the engine is still dry at 85k.

Aug 7, 2007 | 09:41 PM

tkinney

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Re: a comment....

Wow, thank you so much for your intellect and expertise into the issue. I love this car and am a decent mechanic. I have lately been deciding what to do with it. I recently replaced all control arms, upper, lower, sway bar links, S4 sway bars free of charge, and new bilstien shocks. I also did the timing belt etc myself. I have owned this car for 72,000 miles. I have enjoyed every mile driven in this car.

Since I understand that after 121,000 miles a clutch has got to be close to worn out I started crawling underneath to inspect the car. After noticing that every CV boot is in good condition I have truly began to respect the build quality on this car even more. However, I did notice a bit of drip running down the driver side manifold and onto the lower suspension. It has not hit the ground and I cleanded it off to try and see where it is coming from. Does this sound like a cam chain tensioner gasket? I know what a cam chain tensioner is but it seems this particular gasket location is specific to audi. Could you provide some insight into where the leak originates? Sorry for the highly technical question.

Travis

Aug 7, 2007 | 10:01 PM

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Re: a comment....

<center><img src="http://img.eautopartscatalog.com/live/A508484743.JPG"></center><p>No apoligies needed, questions always welcome. As with anything like this over the web, diagnostics are mildly tough without seeing it. Trace the oil or fluid back to its origin. As an fyi, the gaskets in the pic are for the cam chain tensioner. This might give you some better idea of what to look for when digging in the engine bay. At 121k, there are a number of different possibilities that could cause that type of a smell(possibly p/s leak). If you've done the timing belt, then those gaskets should be a breeze.
Not having my factory manual in front of me, but the cam tensioners should be:
-driver's side, towards the back side of the head.
-passenger side, should be located towards the front of the head
Don't quote me though, its been awhile since I've worked on a AHA V6(our 00 is an ATQ motor).

Aug 7, 2007 | 10:03 PM

tkinney

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Re: a comment....

Thanks again, I will have to do some more crawling/looking. That gasket (half cylinder) looks an awful lot lot like those I have seen on modern 4cycle dirt bike engines. Not to get too technical but "where does the cam chain run"? On the front side of the heads or the rear? My leak appeared to run from the front. However, I am afraid or aware that it may run from where I poor the oil in (driver side top of valve cover).

So after our last conversation I am considering changing the cam chain gaskets, positive crank case ventilation (does it run in the back of the cylinders??, I think I found it), and the valve cover gaskets. All because I like driving the car so much. Thanks again.

Travis