Tcomguy1

98 A8Q 4.2 84K miles. Have had a oil leak which has been difficult to pinpoint source. Thought it was lower pan but not. Thought it was upper pan but not. Thought it could be oil cooler rings but they seem to be ok. Replaced valve cover gaskets recently with TB, thermostat, H20 pump,spark plugs and no relief. It looks like it maybe coming from front corner of head gasket passenger side. How much of a pain in the A$$ is this to repair? Shop that did my TB said it could be 15-20 shop hours or more. I just dropped 2K with them and now this shows up 2 days after getting car back. The car has never gotten hot to my knowledge and TB/pump/thermo were replaced because 90k timeframe was near, not because of any known issues. I run Mobil 1 5W-30 and know that it has reputation for finding its way out anwhere it can. I can put in a lot of oil for what it has been quoted to repair but it makes a mess underneath of car. Any thoughts?

JimR

<center><img src="http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/enginemechanical/OilCoolerBoltLocations.jpg"></center><p>That's a really common leak point, and it's on the passenger side, fairly high up. Cheap part, or was. &lt;$20.

It's pretty easy to get to. The pic shows where it mounts, but you can get to it easily with the air box removed, and little else, IIRC.

JimR

<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/157034.phtml">here.</a></li></ul>

Tcomguy1

Thanks for info/pix. I will take out airbox and check closer. It looks like leak is higher on motor but that could be left over oil from valve cover leak that was just recently addressed with TB/H2O pump replacement. If it is the head gasket what does a standard repair cost/time run?

PaulW

<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/152495.phtml">Very common on the 32 v motors, I now have a 40v motor</a></li></ul>

Tcomguy1

I think you have nailed the problem on the head. Thank you. I just had the TB done, they replaced the crank seal and cam seals along with H2O pump and thermo. The shop said they checked the oil pressure switch and did not find a leak. I told them about the leak before bringing car in for TB and they said they couldn't find a leak, but when I brought it back 2 days after the TB replacement they knew right where to look and pointed out fresh oil from underneath the head. It looks like the oil is coming right from the where the idler seal is at in the pix. I think they are trying to ring me up for another big bill or they missed it and don't want to tear it apart again!! I am due for an oil change soon and am going to try a conventional oil again and see if that slows it down. Thanks again.