rushrx

I had a TB service done for 1500$ in October. Now my garage says they need to charge $500 because my camshaft chain tensioner seal needs to be replaced as it is leaking. Additionally they said the valve cover gasket needs to be replaced due to a leak. Should this have already been done as part of the TB service? Please help. I don't know much about engines and don't want to spend money I don't have to. Thanks.

PaulW

What year car?

rushrx

Sorry. 1999.

PaulW

But what part are they referring to?

<img src="http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/enginemechanical/tbp71.JPG">

rushrx

The first is coming from the camshaft chain tensioner and the second is the valve cover gasket. They said the camshaft chain tesnioner is underneath the valve cover gasket on the top side of the engine near the back. The timing belt is on the front and is unrelated. They are saying they are unrelated and it would be a NEW repair. True or not?

My timing belt service bill says they replaced the camshaft seal, but they are saying that is different.

PaulW

Then try the cam covers....they need new o-rings. They are a common leak source.

There is no such thing as a 32 valve motor that doesn't leak a small amount of oil.

Is it noticable?

<img src="http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/enginemechanical/tbp72.JPG">

rushrx

after a 20-30 minute car ride. No spots on the garage floor however. Should I look somewhere else?

So is it your opinion that this is different than the "camshaft seal" they replaced on the timing belt service? Sorry to sound so skeptical about the mechanic, I just have not used them very long and want to make sure I am not getting hosed.

My timing belt invoice states the following as part of what they replaced in October:
"026103085D Camshaft Seal-N KAC 3@ $5.38 =16.14"

I just don't want to pay for this twice. Thanks.

my97A8

my 97 has been running smoothly except after warming up it sounds like a deisel engine. was told it was the same thing located under the valve cover?
I am due for another TB job and may have it all done at once

Audiheavy

I have a '99 as well and fairly recently did the whole TB/tensioner/water pump R&amp;R. The TB tensioner is a sealed system and doesn't rely on engine oil pressure to make it work, more like a main spring in a clock. Don't know why your wrench is telling you it's a "camshaft chain tensioner". The valve cover seals wouldn't normally be changed as part of the TB service unless you told them to. Personally, I think the problem is that there aren't enough of these cars around so typical mechanics don't have much experience with them... particularly when diagnosing problems. I reputable dealer in my area told me the "whining" noise on cold start-up was the TB about to fail wherein it would launch itself through the front grill, when in reality it was the dreaded trans/TQ converter-noise so well documented in this forum. Bottom line rushrx... better get used to getting a little dirty and reading this forum, or resign yourself to putting your mechanic's kids through Stanford.