my97A8

Changed the breather hose that goes from the oil filler cap (drivers side valve cover)to the passengers side valve cover. The hose upon close inspection was completely cooked. This hose was very soft and was even braking apart!!! I thought I started to notice some (fresh) oil smell within the cabin lately, I hope this was the culprit and not the vale cover gaskets. My 8 has 57206 miles on it.

Has anyone attemped to change the other 2 breather hoses: one being under the throttle body and the other being close to the driver's side valve cover by the fire wall?

skiracer

I haven't gone there yet. I know I'm only postponing the inevitable, but like going to the dentist, I tend to put it off untill I can't ignore it any longer. No real benefit in changing it before it really needs it.

my97A8

My beleif with our 8's are to be preemptive and ahead of the curve with maintanence with these vehicles.

The drive's side breather hose has a notch on the hose that slides down into a slot on the actual valve cover then goes further down between the engine and the firewall. I would this a large amount of heat is generated in this area and that the inside of this hose gets cooked.

Opinion: I think it would be much easier to get to it from the bottom since the same spring clamp is holding the hose inplace down low? Any thoughts? The other breather hose under the throttle body IMO needs the entire throttle body assembly to be removed?

skiracer

All other maintenance items should be performed on or before the Audi recommended intervals. However, these breather hoses on the back of the engine are not critical to the function of the engine, are not included in any scheduled maintenance (for replacement anyway), and will not cause irreprable damage to the vehicle if they leak. If you ignore the tranny filter, it will cost you big time, if you let the timing belt/waterpump/etc. go too long, same thing. But these hoses, if they leak, will only cause a stench and muck up the outside of the engine. If I were back there doing another job, I wouldn't hesitate to replace these hoses pre-emptively, but failing that, I'll get to it when I have to. If anyone has any info about the function of these hoses that would indicate they are critical to the function of the engine, please let me know! My assumption is that they only serve to equalize the pressures inside the block and valve covers, and to vent any excess gases to the emissions control system.

barryl

Hey,

I changed the front myself. The rear was split. I took it to
my mechanic and had him change it. The throttle body
has to come off, and I didn't want to mess with it.

Barry