What's this part called (circled in red)?



It's a black plastic plug on the back of the left cylinder head of my 99 A6 2.8. It appears to cover up the hole that would be used for the cam position sensor if the head were turned the other way. I can't find any reference to that part in any service manual.

Oil is leaking past this cap onto the exhaust manifold. It's only the smallest amount of seepage, but it bugs me and it stinks when it burns. I'm not sure how that cap is attached or how it does its sealing. It seems like an easy fix, unless the camshaft oil seal itself is what's leaking. In which case I'm gonna start crying soon.

 

looks like the cam plug

 

Does it do any sealing by itself? Or does it just cover up a hole?

 

I'd be lying to you if I said I knew it's function, lol.

It does leak and can be replaced. Haven't replaced mines, but I've seen posts saying that you can stab/stick it @ an angle with a screwdriver, pull it out, clean the area and just push in the new one by hand.

 

Cool, thanks!

Now that I know what it is, I've found other pictures of it online and I understand how it does its job. Looks like a dead easy and cheap fix.

 

always the best kinds

Got a simple explanation for it's function?

 

Yes it is a cam plug. It's function is to seal the hole that is drilled in the cylinder head to accommodate the camshafts.
It is self sealing.

 

Exactly what I was looking for.

Much thanks, M5S5!

 

Your welcome.