I had some problems with my engine last year (1.8t quatro on a 2004 A4 sedan), and ended up getting the coils, pcv hoses/tube/valve, plugs, o2 sensor, crankcase vent valve replaced. Basically I was losing pressure and the engine was running really rough.

Soon after, I noticed an oil leak - it was about 1qt every 3k miles, but it seems to have accelerated lately. I had a garage take a look at it and they saw the oil leaking from underneath the timing cover, so they suspect it's the head gasket.

I was out of warranty and I didn't have the $ at the time to fix it, so I just lived with the oil drip for awhile, and checked the oil every couple weeks.

It's getting to the point now where I have some $ and the oil leak is getting worse, so I need to get it fixed.

So, in y'all's opinion, where should I take my car to get fixed? I figure it's going to be expensive no matter what, if the oil was leaking from under the timing cover. Is this something that might be covered under a recall or service bulletin? Is this something I should trust to a non-dealer garage? Or should I just bend over and have the dealer service it?

 

where are you located?

 

I'm in the Dayton/Cincy Ohio area.

 

Talked with the dealer service and they mentioned it's probably the valve cover gasket or the cam adjuster shield. Based on the location of the oil leak (mostly on the passenger side) they think it's the cam adjuster seal, which would be $1200 to fix.

 

That should also include a new timing belt...which isn't all that bad.

 

I wasn't able to pull off the timing cover completely, but I was able to unlatch it and peer inside a bit.

Pictures with notes here

Also, is this sludge?

 

Csm seal...?