What $%#@ Audi engineer chose the 1/2" thick, half circle gasket at the cam sensors?!?!
01-22-2006, 05:07 PM
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What $%#@ Audi engineer chose the 1/2" thick, half circle gasket at the cam sensors?!?!
As with ALL rubber polymers, it shrinks over time and heat. Big time oil leak waiting to happen. Add to the fact that its a PITB to change - nice idea Audi. Comparing the new to old, I see about 20-30% shrinkage. The new seal is compressible - the old one lost it a while ago.
A warning too - the passenger side isn't near anything crucial - but the drivers side is. Its right over the alternator. Oil leaking onto alternator = dead alternator. Then there is the timing belt.
These two gaskets WILL leak - if you see or smell oil, have them changed. Especially the drivers side. There really isn't anything in/on the engine that oil dripping or spray can hurt - EXCEPT the alternator - belts, like the timing belt right by the gasket don't like it either.
Never seen anything like it. Can quite figure out WHY either. I'm guessing it was needed for a feature not found on US spec'ed cars, but was on European. Rather the change the assembly for the cam sensor - just stick a piece of rubber in it.
What a #@$# pain!
A warning too - the passenger side isn't near anything crucial - but the drivers side is. Its right over the alternator. Oil leaking onto alternator = dead alternator. Then there is the timing belt.
These two gaskets WILL leak - if you see or smell oil, have them changed. Especially the drivers side. There really isn't anything in/on the engine that oil dripping or spray can hurt - EXCEPT the alternator - belts, like the timing belt right by the gasket don't like it either.
Never seen anything like it. Can quite figure out WHY either. I'm guessing it was needed for a feature not found on US spec'ed cars, but was on European. Rather the change the assembly for the cam sensor - just stick a piece of rubber in it.
What a #@$# pain!
01-22-2006, 05:48 PM
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I agree it's a bad design, but the alternator is on the passenger side and doesn't get
into trouble here. Think you're looking at the AC compressor on the driver's side.
No worries with the timing belt. The driver side leaks behind the inner timing belt cover and doesn't really come close to the timing belt.
The only reason to replace these that I see is because of the smell due to oil hitting the heatsheild / downpipe on the passenger side.
No worries with the timing belt. The driver side leaks behind the inner timing belt cover and doesn't really come close to the timing belt.
The only reason to replace these that I see is because of the smell due to oil hitting the heatsheild / downpipe on the passenger side.
01-22-2006, 07:53 PM
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Seems the rest of the cam cover gaskets in good shape really...
Only the half circle gasket is causing all the problems. And boy does it blow by oil. Massive boost leak too.
Too bad you can't replace it without doing the rest of the seal.
Too bad you can't replace it without doing the rest of the seal.
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