1) I'm pretty new to the DIY area, so this may sound like a stupid question- but, there seems to be coolant puddled around the valley pan. I'm not sure, but there was some fuel that spilled out of the fuel rail when I took it off, but I don't think that much fuel spilled down there... so it must be coolant, right? The fluid doesn't really smell like anything to me, and it's so filthy that any fluid i draw up is just dark.

2) Also, looking at the head, it looks like my head gaskets are leaking too, right? Unless that's from the valley pan coolant somehow cooking up onto there... I read somewhere that coolant leaking into the engine would make the exhaust smoke- could this be why my exhaust is so thick?

3) Lastly, does anyone else think my power steering pump is leaking? I think all of that oily grime that made it down to my oil pan probably came from the pump and not the valley pan or the head gasket leaks, right? I saw that my valve cover gaskets were positively leaking, but I don't think that would have made it down to the front of the engine...

1997 12v 2.8L quattro


The thing is, last time I checked, my coolant reservoir was just about topped to the fill line- and there weren't any fluid puddles under my car. I thought maybe my upper oil pan gasket was leaking, but I didn't notice a change in my oil levels either. Could this be a really slow leak that I can't notice from looking at the reservoirs? Thanks ahead.

 

I would start by replacing all your gaskets. But, if it's smoking badly out the back, you probably have a head gasket leak somewhere., but it could be something else as well. My power steering pump leaks as well, it's the hose that goes from the pump down and up infront of the engine, I'll replace it one day ;-) but not yet, it's an expensive part.

Coolant leak could also mean water pump, thermostat etc...if you're going to go into this, it's a huge learning curve, german engineering, etc... I would start with the gasgets, see if that helps, if it is yoru water pump leaking, or anything else, remember the fan blows fluids around, so you might not be looking where the leak is exactly. Your engine is pretty dirty, so it's REALLY hard to say.....do you have any codes at all off the VAG?

Do the gaskets, then you can get a timing belt kit which includes everything, including timing belt, water pump, thermostats gaskets etc...just make sure you have the RIGHT tools, or you'll blow your motor starting it back up.

 

Honestly it looks like oil. Sorry man, can't help cause the engine is pretty dirty. Get some engine degreaser and put it all together and spray your motor down w/ engine degreaser, then wash it off. You have a leak of some kind because the motor should stay fairly clean. Besides normal dust. Because your motor is so dirty I can't tell if it were Coolant cause most of the time Coolant will turn white after it drys.

 

What do you mean by the RIGHT TOOLS? I have changed 3 timing belts on other vehicles but not any Audi's. But from all the DIY I see that it is just like all the other vehicle I have done!

 

the tool that holds the cams in the front. Audi's are different. you can still do it, but you'll have to redo the timing...just like the thermostat in a 2.8 is actually behind the timing belt....and waterpump....so might as well do it all at once....just saying, the right tools make everythign a whole lot easier...I've done over 10 audi 2.8 timing belts, and they are NOT the same as others...

 

Maybe you're right Russ, its definately not a job for an amateur, I just have always done it the right way, the easy way, bought all the audi tools to do it, so it's easier...here's a good write up on how to do it on a 98 quattro...in your own garage....

http://www.audiworld.com/tech/eng31.shtml

 

Hey Mark thanks for the insight. So I'm assuming the link for these tools are needed to do a timing kit for a 90 Quatttro? I have the same issue and need a new belt and was planning to do the job myself with the standard tools I have..