I sent my 2000 A6 2.8 to Audi dealer today and did a mechanic check. They found there is a small oil leak. There is no oil on the ground where I parked the car, but you can see the oil from the bottom of the car (on some of the tubes). They told me it will cost $1300 to fix it (the labor fee is $1164 for 12 hours!) They said they need to change the valve cover gaskets, the cam seals and the cam adjuster gaskets.

Will this repair cost that much? I also need to have my time belt changed and they told me if I do the change of the gaskets together with the change of timing belt, the labor will be 8 hours for the gaskets and 7 hours for the timing belt.

I do not believe changing the gaskets will cost that much time? What do you guys think?

 

How many miles on the car? If you're over 75k and have never had the timing belt replaced, you do need to have it done. That can easily run 1-1.5k at a dealer. So, you're actually not that far off in pricing. I'd suggest seeing if you can find a good independent mechanic that speicalizes in Audis. Check the regional forum here and on www.audiworld.com for references to the best mechanics in your area (do a search and then post a question if you can't find the info you need).

When you have the timing belt done, be sure that they also replace all moving parts that touch the belt. This would include pulleys, tensioners, and the water pump. Reason for this is that timing belts rarely fail -- it's the other components that can go. This is pretty important because a failed timing system can TRASH your engine. Really.

Can't speak to your gasket question, but a 2nd opinion from a good independent mechanic should confirm this (or not).

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the reply!

Is there someone who can tell me something about the gaskets? I think it is fair for the dealer to ask for $1200 to change the timing belt (also the water pump, roller, thermostat, seal). But I do not think it will still cost $900 to change the gaskets after taking off the timing belt!

I did that search and posted a question but no one answered. I went to a shop named "Foreign Car Specialist" and the guys there told me they have done the timing belt change for Audis all the time and no one failed. And they think it is just a 3 hours work to change the gaskets ( which is much lower than the 12 hours from the Audi dealer). I just do not know if I can trust this "Foreign Car Specialist"

 

The TB replacement interval on my '98 2.8 is 90K miles by the book, not 75K.

As far as the number of hours required to do the gaskets... 12 hours seams excessive for a professional dealership, but then I have no experience with this yet on my car, and if and when I do, I'll just do it myself, so sorry, can't help you there.

You will almost always find a better deal through an independent mechanic. Shop around for one who specializes in Audi (VAG), or in European cars. Ask them what kind of a guarantee they offer... shop around by phone since you know the problem and they don't have to diagnose it...

 

12 hours is a pretty standard number for the cam seal gaskets. All four camshafts must be removed from the vehicle. As shuggested doing a timing belt at this time should help reduce costs as there is repeat labor involved.

 

Opinions on this vary. As does the recommended interval by Audi. Some cars have stickers saying 90k, some 105k. People that are very conservative go as low as 60k. When I cite 75k, it's a bit of an average. That said, I think going to 90k is probably fine given Audi's recommendations on the matter. Tough call given the implications of having something go early...