Hi,

New to the A4, I picked up a fixer-upper. It has a leaking water pump and it also appears to be leaking some oil from the front.

I don't have a bentley (yet) and wanted to know what the oil leak could be from?

Does this 2.8 engine have a timing belt or chain? I have read about a chain tensioner gasket that leaks but not sure if that applies to the 12V 2.8 I think I have.

Also, if it is a timing belt based engine, do I need a special tool to do the belt like in the 2.7T ?


Thanks!

 

I took a closer look, and the oil is over (top and sides) the transmission, near where it attaches to the block. Main seal? Strange though if that were the case wouldn't the clutch be soaked/slipping?

It is hard to see but could be be a blown headgasket and road wind is blowing oil back over the tranny?

 

Your engine is belt-timed. The chain tensioners are in the 30v engines and drive the intake cams off the exhaust cams. They're in the cylinder heads. Your leaking water pump is a concern and should be changed as part of the timing belt procedure (which you'll be doing from the sounds of it). Order a t-belt kit from www.ecstuning.com. In the t-belt jobs we've done, the cam locking tool (you'll see it as an add-on to the kit) has proven to be unnecessary. Before you tear it down, index cylinder 3 (not #1 as is typical) to TDC on the compression stroke. Also use Pentosin G12 coolant (pink) -order two 1.5L bottles. If you have something other than G12 now, flush the whole system and block fully before adding G12 or you'll have huge problems later.

As for the oil leak, it could be a head gasket but they aren't all that common a failure on these cars. Clean the area very well and then check again after driving a few days to better see the location of the leak and that'll help pinpoint the problem area.

 

it is prob a valve cover gasket and yes it is a timing belt car

 

Thanks!

The valve cover gasket makes sense, oil is mostly on both sides of the tranny.

The front oil pan also has lots of oil top and bottom of it.

Mycorrado

 

how much would this be to replace the valve cover gasket?

 

the gasket itself isnt more then $15-20, one for each head. it takes about half an hour and a socket wrench to take off the dozen nuts, replace it, and put them back on. if you can change your oil you can do this job.

 

Yep. ECS sells them for $25/head. Use a 1/4" drive ratchet and have an extension and swivel handy. Nuts are 8mm if I remember right. Easy job and a dealer will stick it up your *** big time (one guy on here came from CT to my house for us to do it because he was quoted a huge cost - like $700 - for them to do it). It's easy. One thing - before you start, look in the lower front left corner of the bay below the driver headlight. You'll see an evap canister with a brittle vacuum line coming out the top and running near the valve cover. Get replacement line to fix that because you WILL break it during the job - take that to the bank. That's usually the only snag in the job so be prepared for it before starting.

 

Good write ups, Im having the same issue here and am thinking of doing the same. I have a 96 A4 w/ the 2.8 12v (non quattro, sucks but what can ya do). But looking through some of the other threads here, it has been suggested to change the PCV breather hoses and "suction pump"? as well? or more like do that first before the gaskets becasue they may be the 1st line culprit?
Well, since I want to change my gaskets anyway (and get that vaccum hose as, no pun, "the devil" suggested) want to ask a couple of things:
1. where can I get these parts?
2. are they the same as years as 97-99?
3. I saw a write up on it and cant find it now?!?!

Help?

Thanks