Zumkopf

My car ('98Q, 100k) was giving off smoke at the right front wheel well upon stopping, and a distinct burning oil smell while driving. I replaced the valve cover gaskets, but that did not solve the problem. Now I'm thinking it's the rear camshaft seal (what else could it be, oil leaking right there at the front right corner of the motor?).

Several posters have stated that this is an easy job (here [https://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/164025.phtml], and here [https://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/115445.phtml]). I can't see a way to replace the cam seals without pulling the timing belt, which doesn't seem like an easy job at all. Is it just a matter of having different definitions of "easy", or is there a way to do the job that does not require dismantling everything?

What really drives me nuts is that I paid many Deutschmarks to have the TB replaced less than two years ago, and the mechanic was supposed to have taken care of all that associated stuff. It should NOT be leaking. But it is.

Marty
'98 A8Q/S8 susp. 100k

MrGoodbytes

<img src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/indischrot/audi/0151.jpg">

skiracer

<ul><li><a href="http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/enginemechanical/tbreplace0.html">http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/enginemechanical/tbreplace0.html</a</li></ul>

KYNZ

I initially had a growing oil leak over a few week span. Then one day on my commute to work, I too faced the smoke from the RF wheel well and as I pulled into work my oil pressure light went on. I took it to my indy and they had to replace both cam seals...which entailed removing the timing belt cover to reach the seals...not an easy task. Then we put it back together and it still leaked! turns out it was actually a plate behind one of the tension pulleys that had a crack in it, causing it to leak from one of the bolt holes. This plate is VERY expensive ($360) and its accompanying gasket is also not cheap ($75). In the process of this oil leak, oil got onto my newly installed timing belt, leading to IT having to be replaced as well. All in all, I believe it ran me over $1100 to get everything done, and I didnt even get charged labor for the second removal and reinstall of the Timing belt and front end. Good luck. Hope its just your oil cooler and not that plate.

mAgnum8

Did you say front right corner of motor?
My cam cover seals are toward the rear by the firewall.
If this is where your leak and smell is, you might want to check your breather hoses.
Hose number 2 has a tendency to rot and turn to S&amp;#T.<ul><li><a href="http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/enginemechanical/breatherhose.html">http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/enginemechanical/breatherhose.html</a</li></ul>

ricoblanco

the front ones, however, suck. The timing belt will have to be removed to replace them. One other notorious place these cars leak is from the <a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/157034.phtml">switch on the oil cooler.</a> You may want to take a look there as it is far easier (and cheaper) to fix.

FadeA8

Did you replace the whole unit or is there a seal that needs to be replaced? Dammit, the entire right half of the underbody is covered in oil!

TIA

JimR

spade coming out of the sender.

It's a really easy job, and the part is, or was, &lt;$20.

Zumkopf

The leak is at the upper right corner of the motor, tucked beneath and behind the right cam cover. I can't actually see the leak, but I can see the fresh oil streak down from there, just forward of the valve cover.

CalG

Check the engine parts list available on Audi Pages or do a search here. http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?siteid=215021

Regards

Cal