Soro86

Thanks for the suggestions. Also the disparity of dealer quotes($1900 vs. $4200) for oil cooler leak repair is interesting.
I definitely will fix it and keep it. For a quality car like this worth $3000, it's a bargain!

MP4.2+6.0

without the intake manifold removal work around the various W12'ers have figured out in recent efforts. The W12 has one of these oil coolers too, but seems pretty easily accessed and reasonably visible with the passenger side air box out.

Kebabian

Just had an independant quote it and he basically said that Audi states that you have to remove the engine.... and that will cost $3.5k!!!!! But he then went on to say that if they didn't have to remove the engine, it would cost about $1k.

I'm confused as to how the dealer would say $2k, and indepedent would say $3.5k. I'm assuming that the dealer goes by the book which says to remove the engine....

mishar

As far as I understood jandreas post it was done without pooling engine. I will do this soon (when I replace my timing belt) and than I will know better, but I really doubt it can take 12 hours ($1000).

TSHong

I just looked up book time and it calls for 26 hours. That has got to be for R&R the engine. I'm sure there is a easier way to do this procedure.

Kebabian

That's what the independent dealer quoted me as "worst case scenario". Going to let him take a look. Hopefully they come back and tell me that the engine can stay just where it is.....

hahnmgh63

The Aluminum replacement is also known as the Bufkin pipe. I replace it on my RS6 which is a an 'almost' identical block. For the $27 shipped price it is a steal but the installation is the problem. Not sure how long my girlfriend is going to keep here A8 (80K) but I'm doing the timing belt/waterpump on it this summer and may lower the engine and do the waterpipe as a preventive measure.
If it's leaking now get it fixed as it will only get worse. His pipe fixes both failures, leaking O-rings (by doubling them on either end) and a cracking pipe (Aluminum). Ebay or search John Bufkin Aluminum pipe.

aTOMic

My question as well.

I have a leak apparently from the driver's side on the bottom of the plastic radiator itself.


I think I better start a new thread...

rn3037

I am thinking of doing this repair as well. I can see fresh coolant drips on the passenger side near the oil pan.

As many of you already discussed, the ElSAWIN manual called for removal of engine as the first step for Oil Filter Housing Removal.

So for the D3 it looks like removing that exhaust manifold stud could be the hardest part?

NYCA8L

Does anyone have any news on the maybe way to do this with out pulling the engine. Had the coolant leak since the beginning of winter but its been on and off. drive around with coolant in the trunk. i also bought the replacement pipe .