I am planing to replace the exhaust downpipes and was checking the access to that area when I see OIL stains and drops on the Downpipe flange that attaches to engine's exhaust manifoldn... LEFT side.

Anyone can tell me where can this oil be leaking from ? Thanks
(was trying to see from the engine compartment but did not see anything).

 

Hi Audifan,

The oil leak you are seeing is most likely coming from the valve cover gaskets. On my car, before changing my valve cover gaskets I noticed the same leak coming from that area while I was under the car performing an oil and filter change. Once it seeps past the gasket, it normally runs onto the exhaust manifold and then down onto the downpipes.

If you remove the pastic engine covers from the valve covers, you can see the lower side of this cover to confirm whether or not your leak is there.

 

Thanks TwinTurboC5,

I removed main cover and the driver side engine side cover and no oil on the cover itself.
Actualy no oil to see from top.
I moved the coolant res. and only when I shine the light to the back side of the engine, then there right above the exhaust manifold flange (on the bottom of the rear side of the engine) there is the oil leak.
One can see it hardly unless you look for it. I put my hand in there and sure enough oil leak.

I think this will not be valve cover gasket since it is bottom of the engine... any idea what else may there be leaking..

Anyone else.. THANKS !!

 

Thanks again for any hints and and advice for DIY procedure.. !

 

Left side means cam plug thingy. Right side same area means cam tensioner or cam plug thingy. Cheap, easy, but should never have gone bad.

Bob

 

... yes the leak seem to be coming from there, how come is there a big presure under this plug?

Does it just push in or does it screw in? If I do not have any special tool what can I use to get it out. Will anything leak when I remove the old one and put a new one in?

Thanks again Bob and all of you who know tons about our cars

 

You have to remove the valve cover gasket, then remove the last cam cap to pull out the old seal. Put a very thin layer of RTV on the flats of the cap, install the new seal and reinstall the cam cap. You will need a torx bit for the cam cap. The only tough part of this is getting the valve cover off. You don't say what motor/trans/year you have and the difficulty varies by motor/trans/year.

Bob

 

Bob,
car is 2000 Avant Quattro 2.8L 30V ATQ V6; leak on driver side cam plug..

I have read numerous comments about removing the plug, none were mentioning removal of valve cover.
I thought one can just pop it out from outside?
Thanks

 

Well, maybe. I did mine while I had the valve cover off. Also, other people cheat by just loosening the cap, prying the plug out, putting a new one in and retightening the cap. I recommend removing the cap and putting some RTV on the flats. Audi put a little bit of sealant on those surfaces and you will break that seal when you loosen the cap. But, you pays your money, you takes your chances....

Good luck,

Bob