I have a 1999 A6, and am smelling a burning odor coming from the engine area. There is no smoke and no puddles of fluid under my car. My fluid levels are fine with oil, brake, and coolant. Dont know about the tranny fluid because I don't know where to check it. There doesn't appear to be any wear in the belts.

Anybody have any suggestions?

 

cam seals/valve cover gaskets are leaking. Also get your breather hose replaced. Or just get used to the smell.

 

I have a '02 A4 3.0 Q, leaking oil @ Rt. valve cover, oil leaks down on to heat shield, only get smoke @ times.. Anyone know how difficult it is to replace the valve cover gaskett & maybe some tips that I may need to look out for, while doing this. My local Audi dealership wants $500 & an Indy guy wants $300, It looks straight fwd. not much in the way...

 

I did the left side, havent gone after the right side yet. My Audi dealer told me 178 to do the right side, I already have the gasket though, its $60. Really its not that hard ( on my A6 2.8), removed the coolant tank and had enough room to get it out. Might remove the air box when I do the right side, just to get extra room. I used some of the gasket sealer crap to make sure it stayed in place though, cause if it moves or doesnt seat properly, its still gonna leak. Also, it may not just be the valve cover gasket, could be cam seals too.

 

How difficult is it getting at the cam seals? Mine are leaking and I'm gonna have to replace them soon (2.8 30v).

 

I think it is a very PITA job. I remember hearing that somewhere. Jeff can probably give you better, more detailed info, but I know I heard that it sucks. Up there with timing belts. Which BTW, I think I also read that its easiest to change them while doing the TB. Thats all I've got, please correct me if Im wrong...

 

LOL -- dosen't have to be oil could be the chipmunks..

I left my Audi parked in the driveway when I went on a two week trip to China. When I got back I started it and about a block from the house smelled something burning. When I opened to hood (aka Bonnet) and found a chipmunk nest... It was just under the back of the engine cover...

 

The cam seals require the removal of the timing belt. Then, and only then, do things get interesting....

Most likely you have a valve cover gasket leak, like I do.

Bob

 

I lose a good amount of oil daily...drips from the front driver's side of the motor...same general area as where the oil filter is located (I've already made sure it was tight). I would say on a daily basis there's a spot under my car about 2 or 3 inches in diameter...

 

Holy crap!!! Mine sometimes has a spot about the size of a dime, thats it.