to begin with, i apologize for the last thread gentlemen, as i have a tendency to take my meds and get a little off the rocker with the seat of my pants ideas. now as much as i like a high performance vehicle, my initial requirements with my recently acquired A6 are much simpler. it has an oil leak resulting in no drip, but oil slick on metal surfaces which i will soon diagnose, but yet it causes no loss of oil level. aside from that, i've been going through ECS's site and starting to evaluate what my priorities are service wise so far as gaskets, seals, etc., as i was told by the last owner he personally replaced a leaking valve cover gasket. so aside from literally disassembling the entire engine and inspecting everything, at 98k miles what are the required points of maintenance, aside from timing belt which im already preparing to buy from ECS, their whole kit. i mean i'd like to just find an entire rebuild kit and do it but i see its not that simplistic. i realize coils and plugs are a good place to start, then localizing the leak, replacing gaskets associated, but as i've found this to be the best audi forum on the entire internet, i require the guidance of the audi masters to tell me what im looking for so far as specific points and items that need to be inspected and or replaced that a regular domestic car mechanic like my self wouldnt be prone to noticing.
and just to humor myself, i'd heard some of the RS4 components were compatible with the 2.7t? im intrigued.
i appreciate your time, and cooperation.

p.s., that last thread, i just, embarass myself. i apologize. i need the wealth of information available amongst this site, i'd rather not behave unaccordingly.

 

If it is running, then just keep it running. There is no need for you to rebuild the motor. With that said, the usual oil leak places, are valve cover gaskets, cam chain tensioner seaks, and cam seals and plugs.

The first thing to check for is the timing belt, waterpump and etc. Has it been changed already?