Cam seals DIY for the 2.8?
Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
Cam seals DIY for the 2.8?
I'm a new Audi guy, got a 99 2.8 Avant about a month ago. I've started the TB job (108k miles on original belt), the parts and tools should be arriving from blau tomorrow (hopefully).
Anyway, I've got a pretty bad oil look coming from what looks to be the left (drivers left) head, maybe around the valve cover. There's a lot of oil around the oil filter and generally all over the place on the front/top/left of the oil pan (where it bolts to the block). I haven't got the TB off yet so maybe when I do I'll be able to better determine where the leak is coming from.
Based on what I've read in here, it's very likely the cam seals are leaking so I wanted to mentally prepare myself for the job.
I have the bentley already but is there a DIY on here that describes the job? All I could find is the 2.7T cam seals job, not really sure if it's exactly the same or what.
Thanks guys, sorry if this is a really basic question.
Edit ... took a few pics tonight after I took off the crankshaft pulley, looks pretty nasty under there. Is that normal?
<img src="http://sandbox.enjoybeing.net/pics/a6-cp.jpg" />
left head, really nasty
<img src="http://sandbox.enjoybeing.net/pics/a6-lh.jpg" />
the right head area is pretty clean, no need to post a pic
Anyway, I've got a pretty bad oil look coming from what looks to be the left (drivers left) head, maybe around the valve cover. There's a lot of oil around the oil filter and generally all over the place on the front/top/left of the oil pan (where it bolts to the block). I haven't got the TB off yet so maybe when I do I'll be able to better determine where the leak is coming from.
Based on what I've read in here, it's very likely the cam seals are leaking so I wanted to mentally prepare myself for the job.
I have the bentley already but is there a DIY on here that describes the job? All I could find is the 2.7T cam seals job, not really sure if it's exactly the same or what.
Thanks guys, sorry if this is a really basic question.
Edit ... took a few pics tonight after I took off the crankshaft pulley, looks pretty nasty under there. Is that normal?
<img src="http://sandbox.enjoybeing.net/pics/a6-cp.jpg" />
left head, really nasty
<img src="http://sandbox.enjoybeing.net/pics/a6-lh.jpg" />
the right head area is pretty clean, no need to post a pic
Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
I've already read that 10 times and printed it, I'm asking about the cam seals ...
... since you linked me to the 2.7T TB DIY, are you trying to say that the parts and the job itself is the same as the 2.8 or what?
That's what I was asking in my OP.
That's what I was asking in my OP.
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 683
Likes: 0
Drivers side head has cam adjuster on the frontmost part of the head. I wouldn't say for sure that-
what you're seeing is necessarily a bad cam seal. That being said, its best to have the part in hand when you take things apart so that you're not stuck waiting for parts. Particularly since the seals aren't that expensive.
Once you get the lock tools in place and properly pull the sprocket off you can evaluate whether what you're seeing is in fact a cam seal leak vs a adjuster seal one.
BTW while you're in there if you're having oil leaks up top anyways it's best to do ALL seals including the rear cam plugs. It's easier to do everything all at once.
Once you get the lock tools in place and properly pull the sprocket off you can evaluate whether what you're seeing is in fact a cam seal leak vs a adjuster seal one.
BTW while you're in there if you're having oil leaks up top anyways it's best to do ALL seals including the rear cam plugs. It's easier to do everything all at once.
Tech Guru
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 34,430
Likes: 130
Cam adjuster seals should *always* be done with the belt.
As should cam seals (4) and cam plugs (2).
Don't take shortcuts. Do the seals. And yes, that looks like a bad cam adjuster seal leak.
The driver's side (bank 2) isn't that bad one you get the sprocket and guards off, but the passenger side (bank 1) is a little more effort with its location near the fire wall (much easier on the 2.7). I like to pull the bank one cams out to change that seal.
Make sure you clean the surfaces. Do not use any sealing products.
Use the tools!
Don't take shortcuts. Do the seals. And yes, that looks like a bad cam adjuster seal leak.
The driver's side (bank 2) isn't that bad one you get the sprocket and guards off, but the passenger side (bank 1) is a little more effort with its location near the fire wall (much easier on the 2.7). I like to pull the bank one cams out to change that seal.
Make sure you clean the surfaces. Do not use any sealing products.
Use the tools!
Trending Topics
AudiWorld Stories
Bringing Audi to Life for Audi Fans
10 Strangest Audi Designs That Actually Made Production
Joe Kucinski
2027 Audi Q7 and SQ7: Audi Upgraded EVERYTHING!
Michael S. Palmer
Audi Unveils Absurdly Cool New Supercar: 10 Things You Need to Know!
Verdad Gallardo
The Highs & Lows of Every Audi C-Class Generation
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Audis Ever Sold on Bring-A-Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Audi Features & Options We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Audi Recreates Crazy-Looking Speed Record Breaker From 1935
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilder Recreates the 1995 Audi TTS Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Every Audi V10 Car Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
AudiWorld Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Norwalk, CT
you may also want to do the coolant line that...
...you see just below the timing belt sprocket and which runs to the oil cooler. When I did this same service and dealt with the leak I found the leaking oil had softened the coolant line considerably and it was starting to balloon. Didn't want it to rupture later on and put me on the side of the road. And your leak looks way worse than what I dealt with.
