okay, so I put my new-to-me '01 A4 2.8 up on a lift for the 1st time today. I noticed that oil was leaking slowly down both sides of the engine; I took the plastic engine covers off... valve cover gaskets are fine; oil pan gasket was fine, and it looks like the oil was running down both exhaust manifold heat shields on the bottom side- the drips go all the way back both sides of the car, although it looks a little worse on the driver's side. Is this the Cam seal leaking? I think this is what everybody is saying is the weak point on this engine... any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

front cam seals tend to leak down the cam belt so ending up at the front crank on the timing belt area and pushed back via the wind ( remove the covers and check ) or stem clean and watch for leaks

 

It is from the seals in both sides exactly behind the valve covers it is very small space to see it because there is not much room, but if you use a mirror youcan see them, do it from the top, also if you put like a white sox on your hand and sweep back there you will be able to touch the plactic seals. I got a 2.8l quettro and I just cleaned them very well and use clear RTV and let it dry for 1 day and 3 years now still OK.

 

It could be the suction pump plugged. It is supposed to drawthe fumes off of the valve covers and reintroduce it back into the intake. I had this problem with my daughters 98 2.8 30v and replacing it kept the valve covers from being pressurized and ozzing.I found a how-to-do here: http://www.audiworld.com/tech/eng.html look for the suction pump replacement in the A4 section. Not a bad job and the part was about $25

 

suction jet pump should always be checked when oil leaks occur. if stopped up replacement is necessary. alothough just replacing the suction jet pump will not stop leakage. I always replace the suction jet pump when I install cam tensioner seals or valve cover gaskets

 

Sounds just like the cam seals...
I have to do mine, but I am waiting until I do my timming belt, water pump...