So my wife just got an 05 Audi A4 3.2 from a friend two weeks ago and I only just got a chance to go under the hood and see if everything looks good, and I saw oil around the heads on the driver side. It did look old although there were a couple spots that looked fresh. I am far from a mechanic and I have never owned an Audi (I'm a Mustang owner) but to me it looks like a head gasket leak. Can anyone here give me a little help and let me know what I am up against. I would appreciate the help. Thanks.

Mike

 

Here are a few pics for reference that I took.

 

from my little experience, it doesnt look that bad. looks pretty clean considering its an '05. that seems like normal dirt and grime build up. if youre worried about a head gasket, i would look for more oil (pools in low spots), oil spraying when running, smoking, or possibly coolant leaking/spraying or extreme oil/coolant consumption.

 

At first glance it looked worse to me, but I have been messing around in there today and I think it's possible that someone spilled oil in there, or something along those lines because it does look a bit older. My wife checked the oil when she first got it and said it was good and I checked it today and it was at the same level, so it doesn't seem that it is burning any oil.

I was really concerned because the other side is SPOTLESS! Yet that's the only part of under the hood that is. I opened up the air filter and there was leaves and sand inside there. Makes me want to punch my wife's friend who sold her the car. I was not around for the transaction, wish I was. After I put it back together I promptly threw a CEL, but I believe I didn't get the clamp back on perfectly cause I was having trouble with it. Nothing seems easy with this car so far.

Thanks for the response, you are the first person on this forum to respond back to me. Tough crowd so far.

Mike

 

no problem, but you do realize is the 4th of july?
the forum is generally quiet but there is a lot of knowledge here.

im not sure about the 3.2, i have the 2.0T, but does the intake have a pre-filter? like a fine mesh screen that sits in the intake track before the paper air filter. mine has one and i love it, lol, ive found so many bugs and leaves in it and it makes the air filter last longer. you can easily blow it off and throw it back in, i check mine monthly. if your car doesnt have one, check to see if one is available.

these cars can be complicated but they are a lot of fun (see my post about a brake job). ecstuning.com is a great place for parts, although they can be pricey.

 

p.s. if you like doing your own oil changes, go to walmart for your oil. they have mobil 1 0w-40 for about $25 for a 5qt jug. it meets audi/vw standards and i love it for my turbo. obviously, if your engine and region require different viscosity, go with that but def. check out walmart and mobil 1

 

Yea I did kinda forget its 4th of July. I didn't get as drunk as I thought I was going to either, but I posted a question the other day and all I've gotten so far is crickets. I guess I'm just used to people being up my *** when I post a question on some of the Mustang forums I frequent.

I did not see any pre-filter and I think this model takes 5W-40. Maybe someone who has the same engine as me can chime in. I would refer to the owners manual but apparently that was misplaced by the previous owner. I have driven the car twice so far and really liked it. Still trying to figure out what all the buttons do.

Maybe you can help me, in my other post I was asking about the airbag light being on. It simply says Air Bag. No picture, just the words. I'm stumped. I'm trying to do as much as I can on the car before making the dreaded trip to the dealer so any help I can get is appreciated.

 

Lol me too. Just a few beers and fireworks. Sucks you don't have an owners manual, if you call the dealer with the vin you should be able to get some free info over the phone.

Sorry I dont know about the airbag, I've never had an issue with mine. Another good resource is audizine.com.

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of German Engineering.It's NOTHING like domestic.And since Audi's aren't owned by the masses,there really is ALOT less traffic at our site.
Have to agree with imaudi5000,the oil looks like a little spillage from pouring,
seeing as the cap is right there.Keep as eye on it the next couple hundred miles for any new seepage.If anything,it looks like a valve cover gasket thou.
Good Luck and THANK YOU for your service!!!!

 

Neal4007, thanks for the information. I am pretty sure it is spillage, but I bought some degreaser to clean the area and keep an eye on it.

imAudi5000, I just joined that forum too and have been reading some posts on there to spin myself up on the wide world of Audi's. As Neal said they are nothing like domestics, not even the stupid metal clamps that go on the intake.....really Audi. I feel like I need to be the Hulk to get that thing back on.