Pavoldoe

I just bought a 2007 A4 3.2 with 121,000 miles. Knowing the valve cover gaskets are notorious for leaking, I was not too concerned initially when I first checked the spark plugs and saw a little bit of oil on top of several of them. However, I've become more concerned because it does not look like it's coming from the valve cover gaskets. It looks like it's leaking from somewhere below the valve cover gasket because the coils are only wet from about halfway down, and peaking into the spark plug hole, it's dry directly below the valve cover gasket, but about an inch or so below that, it is covered in oil.

I don't have the Bentley manual yet, but I found an exploded view of the head on a site, and there appears to be a second gasket called the cylinder head cover gasket. Numbers 10 and 11 in this view: http://www.jimellisaudiparts.com/products/Audi/A4-Quattro/Gasket/5414791/06E103649A.html

My question is whether this is common to have to replace this gasket, and what is required to replace it. Also, why is it not found in any parts vendors' websites that I've looked at like ECS or Germanautoparts.com?

Pavoldoe

I figured out that it is the "cam carrier retaining frame" and from what I understand the cams have to come out to replace the gasket. I'm pretty sure I'm capable of doing this, but before I start digging in, are there any write-ups on it? Also while I've got it apart, should I go ahead and do anything else like the cam tensioners, seals, timing chain cover gasket, etc?

Pavoldoe

So, I've finally found the cam carrier frame gaskets at OEM Audi Parts & Accessories at Jim Ellis Audi Parts, Audi part numbers 06E103650A and 06E103649A, and decided to go ahead and do the timing chain tensioners since it doesn't appear that this thing was cared for mechanically very well judging by the color of the fuel that came out of the original fuel filter that was still on it.

Nasty Fuel.


Original Filter dating from 2006.

All of the parts and cam locking tool set should come in by the end of the week and I might try to dig in this weekend if the weather is decent.

I will try to do a write up since I've not been able to find anything on removing the cams and doing the cam carrier gaskets. I WILL be using some of the handy DIY write-ups in the forum for the tensioners, which is really 3/4 of the work.

Pavoldoe

As I've continued to research this, I'm starting to think I need to pull the whole head off to get to the cam carrier gaskets. Can anyone confirm for sure? The cam carrier gaskets are #10 and #11 in this diagram:

Pavoldoe

Sorry, didn't realize that would happen when doing a screenshot, and that I would not be able to edit it. I do still need to know if the heads need to come off to get to #10 and #11 in this diagram if anyone can help.

Audishiva

I have the same problem. I replaced the valve cover gasket yet still have oil weeping into the spark plug wells. It appears to be coming in below the valve cover gasket as well. I asked a local indy about doing the work and he said it would be around $4500 to do that and the recommended timing chain upgrades and maintenance. Looks like I may not be driving an Audi for long......