Hello all, again we're talking about a 1998 A4 Quattro 2.8L 30V.

I changed the valve cover gasket, cam tensioner seals, half moon plugs and cam plug seals. Looks like it fixed the leak on the drivers side, but I still have a small leak on the passenger side. The oil was dripping (only a couple of drops after drive test.) from the passenger side onto the Cat. then onto the ground. I used an inspection mirror and couldn't find any oil on the cam tensioner but did see what looked like oil leaking from the cam plug seal.

My question or idea to fix, loosen the valve cover gasket just enough, then loosen the cam cap over the plug pull it out, clean it, RTV it, shove it back in and tighten it back down. Should I use RTV on this or just press it in and make sure it's fully seated? From what I've read here the cam plug should come out fairly easily. The cam plug being stationary and hard plastic the RTV shouldn't hurt it. Any thought or opinions are greatly appreciated.

 

Don't use RTV on the cam plugs. Just pop them out and install new ones. They get brittle and shrink so new ones should do the trick.

 

Thanks but, this is a new one straight out of the plastic, so should I just try and turn and reseat???

 

Are you sure that's the source of the leak? It's not a leaky area usually. Go ahead and try to rotate it a tad and see if it seats any better. I would lean more towards the lower rear corner of the valve cover gasket.

 

I'll look again, that's where it was leaking but I'm pretty sure I got that fixed up, if not I'll probably have to order a new gasket. I will say I did not like the way the one I got fit, it seemed a little large.

 

I have had gaskets that seemed a tad large as well. Just make sure you use black RTV on the corners, per the instructions, and let it cure overnight and you'll be all set.

 

Yep, did that. RTV on the bottom and top of all 4 corners, let it stand for just over 24 hours. Still drip drip, but I had my son go out and clean the bottom under carriage off, hosed it down real good, he drove it to school yesterday and then to lunch, then home about 10 miles all together and there were no leaks evident when he parked it in the driveway yesterday, so we'll see if it was all just residual or if they start again.

I'm hoping for residual!!!!!