projects

I have this B5 2.8 with oil leak since very begining. till yesterday, I have to keep cardboard in the garage, as it always drip oil. These are what I've changed for oil leak.

valve cover gaskets(both sides), cam chain tensioner seals, camshaft seals, camshaft end-caps, oil pan gasket, crankshaft seal and front flange(fornt oil carrier) gasket. I should have all this job done while I change the timing belt. But I'm not that lucky to predict all these. these parts are cheap, but all job involve intensive labor.

I first change valve cover gasket which only involve the upper engine job, 40mins, very easy. this is the mayor oil leak source, I also clean a check valve which may cause the high crank vacuum which lead the valve cover gasket fail. Before this I could not identify where is the oil leak from, just whole engine wrapped in oil and smell really bad, and I even worried it'll burn someday.

After this I found oil still leaking, just from dripping to few drops. So I decide change cam chain tensinoer seals, camshaft seals and end cap, as I need took whole front end a part, I think I can change the crankshaft seal as well. But I was wrong again, when I finished cam stuff, and redone the valve cover gasket. I found I cannot safely remove the crank sprocket without crankshaft locking pin which dealer doesn't sell or carry it, I have to put every thing back and wait tool come. This whole thing took me about 9 hours including RR all timing stuff. There's one thing need extreme causion: the camchain tensioner hold pressure, without camshaft locking bar, it may damage your valve.

while I was waiting crank lock pin coming, I suspect oil pan and upper oil pan leaking. After check from underneath, I found there is a front flange/oil carrier gasket on this car, and looks leaking a little from middle height. I cann't even order this part from local parts distributor, but stealer only, which cost me $26(supposed to be about $6-9). I planned to change crankshaft seal which I was right, the lip of the seal completely dry, and the front oil carrier gasket also has sealant chip off. The difficulty is I should have the upper oil pan removed, but I don't willing to remove whole subframe which makes the job from big to huge. after I check the rear part of upper oil pan's gasket ok. I decide don't bother with it. This time took me about 12 hours. one thing I'm not supposed to do drain whole coolant off, as only one gallon coolant should have drain from radiator and dis connect the driver side upper hose is enough for whole job.


Finally, after took car front end apart 3times including change timing belt, I changed most mayor gaskets on this car, only left is rear flange gasket which I don't think I need to do that. now car runs without oil leak at all.

Chaos

wow well atleast your good at taking the front end of now lol.... I gotta change my cam adjuster seal its starting to leak might do it on the weekend.

wanthema

wow.. sick attempt... so if i needed a timing belt changed... would you be willingly help a fellow member out ? =)

audia413

woow nice man i have a b5 2.8 quattro n oil is leaking from the bottom i have the whole cardboard set up too right now but yah the oil leaks from the bottom of the oil pan out of one of the screws do you know what the problem might be? and there is also this red liquid that leaks right around the bottom of the radiator area onto the stock lip and eventually onto the floor i was wondering if you know what the problems might be here?

audia413

wow nice man i have a b5 2.8 quatto and it leaks oil after i drive it, the oil leaks from the bottom of the oil pan out of one of the screws on the oil pan well at least it looks like it coming out from there do you know what the problem might be here and there is also this red liquid that leaks out from the bottom near underneath the radiator onto the stock lip then eventually onto the floor do you know what might be the problem here as well???

projects

first thing is pretty much same situation as mine used to be. possible problems shall be valve cover seal, cam tensioner seal, cam seals and plugs, crankshaft seal, crank flange seal, upper and lower oil pan seal. Without take a look your car or put some leak detect dye in your engine, it's hard to say which one or more got problem.

Second possiblly coolant or ATF. if the liquid more water like, it's coolant; If it's more oil like, it's ATF. they both are not suppose to leak.

audia413

alright thanks a lot man ill check it out

ludgidiya

Hi guys, I have the same problems with my wife's 2001 Audi A4 , 2.8L, 30 valve engine.
Leaking smelling, same, same.
So, my wife came back from work with overheated car....water pump problem..
I exchanged the the timing belt, water pump. thermostat, driving belt, pullies, camshaft gaskets, seals.
The leak stopped, the smell as well.
A few days ago, I drove this car for a week. Coming back home- massive oil leak. Not from my job, from other place which I do not know yet.
The oil is going all the way to the rear bottom of the car.
I put the vehicle on ramps, but very cold in Calgary -25C. waiting Monday for worming up.
I "clean" the oil pan and the oily bottom. Expecting leak from: Oil pan or oil cooler(I wish) and oil pump.
QUESTION: How difficult is oil pump gasket/seal? And is it repairable from bellow, or I have to open the front end again?