A8 BFM 4.2 Valve Cover Gasket Help
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 306
Likes: 24
From: Australia
A8 BFM 4.2 Valve Cover Gasket Help
Hi there.
I have a bit of work to do on my A8 now it has hit about 170,000 miles. The valve cover gaskets are weeping, the cam plugs are pissing out oil and the oil cooler coolant very mild leak has begun.
I am going to tackle all this myself and have begun to acquire parts. Is it correct that I have to replace the valve cover bolts? I priced these up and they are $600!! in just bolts.
Are the alternate suppliers etc etc people are using these days?
I have the aluminum coolant tube with the two o rings, and I have started to do more and more complex stuff to my A8 to keep it fresh (new diff mounts, engine mounts, all control arms and strut rebuilds etc etc) but I haven't done the valve covers before.
I suspect the bolts are why it keeps leaking (it has had a mechanic replace the valve cover gasket about 3 times so far in the 14 years I have had it to no avail).
I have a bit of work to do on my A8 now it has hit about 170,000 miles. The valve cover gaskets are weeping, the cam plugs are pissing out oil and the oil cooler coolant very mild leak has begun.
I am going to tackle all this myself and have begun to acquire parts. Is it correct that I have to replace the valve cover bolts? I priced these up and they are $600!! in just bolts.
Are the alternate suppliers etc etc people are using these days?
I have the aluminum coolant tube with the two o rings, and I have started to do more and more complex stuff to my A8 to keep it fresh (new diff mounts, engine mounts, all control arms and strut rebuilds etc etc) but I haven't done the valve covers before.
I suspect the bolts are why it keeps leaking (it has had a mechanic replace the valve cover gasket about 3 times so far in the 14 years I have had it to no avail).
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 394
Likes: 54
Given the mileage, if you want to do a good job, then you should replace the bolts. The price does sting, but what doesn't these days. I did this job as part of cam tensioner replacement and got new bolts for everything. There is a very detailed thread available with many pictures that may help you.
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 306
Likes: 24
From: Australia
Given the mileage, if you want to do a good job, then you should replace the bolts. The price does sting, but what doesn't these days. I did this job as part of cam tensioner replacement and got new bolts for everything. There is a very detailed thread available with many pictures that may help you.
I am probably at the miles for the cam chain tensioners however I have no codes at all and it isn't rattling on hot starts or cold restarts. It is only for 1 second or so when the car is cold and hasn't been used for a week or so. I may do this job when it begins throwing codes. I think I will just replace the cam caps and see if that arrests the majority of the leak (they are factory original)
How have you you found your Rock Auto tensioners to be going? I think my local dealer wanted nearly $3K each for the OEM ones.
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 394
Likes: 54
So far so good with my tensioners. And that is exactly the reason I went with aftermarket. At the price you are quoting you could get another complete car! I suggest that when you do the job, just prepare to change them out if they look bad or are leaking. Once the valve covers are off you can properly assess what you need to do.
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