So I went to tackle the oil leak problem on the A4. I replaced the Cam and Crank seals. But there was so much oil and gunk build up It was hard for me to determine where the oil was coming from. Luckily I power washed the front of the engine while it was apart. So I get everything back together and the F'n oil leak is still there but now because the engine is clean I can find it.
It seems to be coming from the aluminum cover behind the Timing belt tensioner, Idler And Crank Dampener. What is this covering (oil pump maybe) Is there a gasket I need to replace any thoughts would be great. I can get a pic if no one has any idea the location I'm talking about
Tim

 

Here is a pic.The oil seems to be coming out around the 12mm bolt

 

It can't be coming from there, thats all coolant passages.
Clean the engine off really good with some brake cleaner and wipe it all down.
Then get the engine to where it can run, (but don't put it all back together) and go get some dye to put in the oil. Run the engine for about 10 minutes and you should be able to see where the dye is coming from with the naked eye, even better with a black/uv light.

 

That sucks. I had the engine running with the front off there is no oil above that spot. The oil seemed to be coming out where the cover bolted to the block. But you say there is no oil in that area? Now I'm getting pissed.

 

Are you able to take that bolt out? Take it out just for s**ts and giggles and see if any oil comes out, i doubt it though. This is why dye is needed, oil can run down the engine behind covers and different things where you probably won't see it. Have you checked the FRONT CAM seals yet?
Its the one that sits directly behind the cam sprockets.

 

picture shows minor oil leak from the crank seal

 

I just replaced the cam and crank seals. they have 0 miles on them. the oil you see by the crank seal is because it is running down that cover and polling up right there. I watched it happen last night. I don't think it's coming out that bolt I was just point to it so you guys would have a reference to where it was seeping out the mating surfaces. I'm just gonna pull that cover off. I've been searching all morning for the gasket but can't find one on line. I find them for the rear cover but not the front[:@]

 

have you a newer picture?? since the seals have been replaced?

 

crank seal

[IMG]local://upfiles/12092/839C83D8976A4CE9901A71EF4909E24E.jpg[/IMG]

 

The picture I posted was with the new seal in

Here is a pic of what I witnessed last night with the engine running. The red lines show how the oil was flowing like a very slow stream. There was no oil coming out around the crank seal. And there is no oil above the spot where I show it starting