Oil changed - Leaks Disappeared Puzzle!?
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Oil changed - Leaks Disappeared Puzzle!?
Hi Guys
My A6 2.4ltr V6 has consistantly leaked oil since I bought it just uner 12-moths ago. I go through about 3/4 or a litre every 1k miles.
I assumed that it was the cam adjuster seal and cam cover leaking - I had leaks on the rear-left of the engine and front right.
The rear leak caused oil to drip onto the exhaust manifold resulting in horrid smell's and puffs of smoke after being driven hard.
The car had a 108k mile service and they commented on the leaks as the belly pan was full of oil ..... the mechanic discovered this when he removed the pan and ended up covered in the stuff
Anyway, the garage used Helix Ultra Plus oil during the service (Damn expensive stuff!). The strange thing is that the oil leak seems have virtually gone!!
I no longer get burning oil smell's and after 2k miles the dip-stick level hasn't dropped.
If my leaks have mysteriously disappeared then that's great news, but any idea why changing the oil would do this?
I assume that Helix Ultra is thinner oil, but if that's the case I'd have expected more oil to have leaked through the seals.
I'm going to monitor the situation to see if anything changes.
My A6 2.4ltr V6 has consistantly leaked oil since I bought it just uner 12-moths ago. I go through about 3/4 or a litre every 1k miles.
I assumed that it was the cam adjuster seal and cam cover leaking - I had leaks on the rear-left of the engine and front right.
The rear leak caused oil to drip onto the exhaust manifold resulting in horrid smell's and puffs of smoke after being driven hard.
The car had a 108k mile service and they commented on the leaks as the belly pan was full of oil ..... the mechanic discovered this when he removed the pan and ended up covered in the stuff
Anyway, the garage used Helix Ultra Plus oil during the service (Damn expensive stuff!). The strange thing is that the oil leak seems have virtually gone!!
I no longer get burning oil smell's and after 2k miles the dip-stick level hasn't dropped.
If my leaks have mysteriously disappeared then that's great news, but any idea why changing the oil would do this?
I assume that Helix Ultra is thinner oil, but if that's the case I'd have expected more oil to have leaked through the seals.
I'm going to monitor the situation to see if anything changes.
AudiWorld Super User
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Interesting, either that or someone finally used a brass crush washer on the drain plug.
I kept getting an burning oil smell in my car, dealer couldn't find anything. I went to change my oil (they did the last one with my TB service) low and behold my oil pan was wet.
No crush washer. I put one on and the smell went away.
No crush washer. I put one on and the smell went away.
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Re: Interesting, either that or someone finally used a brass crush washer on the drain plug.
I dont believe it's anything to do with the drain plug as the garage that changed the oil said they believed the cam-covers were leaking.
It's a bit odd, but I'm certainly no complaining
It's a bit odd, but I'm certainly no complaining
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One possibility ....
When I bought the car last year it had just had an oil.
If the garage I bought it from (Not an Audi dealer) used the incorrect grade of oil, could that have led to oil leaking through weak seals?
I have to admit that my regular top-ups have not been with the best oil on the market so maybe this made it worse!?
If the garage I bought it from (Not an Audi dealer) used the incorrect grade of oil, could that have led to oil leaking through weak seals?
I have to admit that my regular top-ups have not been with the best oil on the market so maybe this made it worse!?
Tech Guru
Joined: Mar 2003
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I'm so far out on a limb speculating ...
If the problem goes away with regular changes, probably not worth worrying.
If it is in fact coming from the valve covers, you might re-torque them.
This kind of leak is messy but causes no damage.
Grant
If it is in fact coming from the valve covers, you might re-torque them.
This kind of leak is messy but causes no damage.
Grant
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drhaller
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May 17, 2002 01:27 PM
