97 A4 with 2.8 12V v6... alow oil leak seems to be coming from behind that oil cooler thing..
- I ordered an oil cooler o-ring gasket, is that the likely problem?
- to replace, I have to disconnect coolant lines to the cooler?

 

You have an older engine, you only have an orang in there... Just remove the filter and unscrue the oil filter feed line( the pipe filter is scrued on) and you don't have to take the coolant pipes out... Just make sure to clean very good all around the cooler so when you take it out nothing gets inside...

 

I have the same car as you. Same problem except I had the dealership replace the seal-I don't have the time. Part was like 6 bucks, labor raped me. Total bill, 160. But it solved the problem.

 

Thanks, just did an oil change. I removed the filter, and the large nut that was on the shaft.. The oil cooler came loose, but it seems that the coolant hoses are too short to allow me to remove it... I didn't have time to mess with that now, but I guess next time I have to plan to disconnect the coolant lines. Hopefully I won't lose too much coolant in the process.. What a hassle for a stupid o-ring.

 

Yeah i never dripped oil until i went to have my oil changed. Apparently that was enough to agitate the old dried up ring and cause the leak.

 

You really don't have to disconnect those coolant lines. Trust me, I've done that job on the 12v 2.8. Next time you pull the oil filter off, take off the big nut you see there. Then you can unscrew that pipe...mine was finger loose once that nut was off. With that pipe out of the way, you can pull the cooler away with the coolant hoses attached and swap the O ring.

It will add all of 10 minutes to your next oil change. Send me the $160 bordum128 paid to the dealer, and you'll still save the time driving there and drinking their stale coffee.

 

x2 you have to take the pipe out... the newer once come with a little plastic bracket that make this job more complicated as the bracket is inserted into the cooler, but yours is a piece of cake...

 

Ahh.. I removed the nut and the cooler was loose, I did not try to remove the pipe itself... How tight is that pipe? Just have to be careful not to bugger the threads on it, I do have some funky robo-something pliers with pads that slip over the teeth...

 

Not.

Mine was finger loose once I removed the nut.

 

Any big differences in this job between the 12v and the 30v?