S4 leaking oil ? Any ideas?

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Aug 31, 2003 | 12:09 PM

bretster

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S4 leaking oil ? Any ideas?

I am getting about a nickle size spot of oil on the floor every couple of days. Checked the filter and oil drain plug and there tight. This is a '00 S4 with 35k miles. Any ideas.
Thanks

Aug 31, 2003 | 12:24 PM

Hal_TT::CBP

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Is the tranny wet? Where is it comming from on the undercarrage?

Aug 31, 2003 | 12:26 PM

bretster

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Re: Is the tranny wet? Where is it comming from on the undercarrage?

Can't tell if the tranny is wet. The drip spot seems to be below the most forward part of the center console. I'll try to check the tranny again. Is the tranny leak a common problem on these cars. I've been a BMW owner till now.

Aug 31, 2003 | 01:27 PM

Killer Bee

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I chased this problem for close to a year....

not as "severe" as yours, I just figured a $40k car shouldn't have ANY oil drips.

1st visit

re & re lower oil pan and reseal

2nd visit

replaced oil cooler, re & re lower and upper oil pans and resealed

3rd visit

dye in oil

4th visit

replaced main seal

A lot to go through for a measly oil drip, but they eventually got it. Not 100% sure what fixed it.. initially the drip appeared to be coming from somewhere near the oil filter, then dropping into the belly pan and eventually dripping off the back of it (check to see if this is how your spot is appearing on the ground). However, tough to pinpoint with all the "moving" air underneath there. As well, late in the "oil drip chase" game, I had the clutch release bearing replaced, along with the clutchplate and pressure plate. It is possible that re & re'ing the transmission fixed the problem (ie, main seal).

My dealership was great (and why wouldn't they be, they were making $'s off the work), and treated my "minor" drip concerns as important to me. Hopefully your dealer will be the same.

gl,

Earnie

Aug 31, 2003 | 05:07 PM

MachtigAvant (v3.0)

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I had a tranny leak, persisted for a year before they fixed it..

due to a nick on one of the gaskets they used when they repaired the tranny. Have you had any tranny work recently?

Aug 31, 2003 | 05:08 PM

~~Mat Indukts Lambos~~

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Rear main seal isn't a common leak on these cars.....

Typically you'll want to start with the highest point the oil residue is found. With the 5 valve V6's there's a gasket & seal located at the cam chain tensioner that commonly leaks, and also calls for a valve cover gasket for the repair as well. Problem is, if you drive your car like you enjoy it(I.E. hi rpms), simply replacing the parts won't hold off the oil leak for long.

What I've done, and see better results with, is use the oil pan sealant on the cam chain tensioner gasket & seal.

If that area's clean though, and the oil residue is only down around the bell housing and lower oil pan, I'd first attack the upper oil pan seal. This repair can take a couple trys, since reinstalling the upper oil pan is difficult, and sometimes the sealant gets disturbed by touching something, creating an imperfect seal--and a leak.

Oil cooler o-rings also leak on occasion, but it's usually on higher mileage cars.

Anyway, good luck.