audilvr

Before I tackle the job myself, I thought I'd find out what my time was worth-- or maybe what it might cost me to have someone else do it. Anyone have a price or experience (good or bad) to tell about getting this repair done in the Chicago area? Stealer wanted $1500 to do oil cooler and oil pan gasket (whew!-- musta been wearing a stolen Rolex that day!).

PaulW

Are you loosing coolant? When do you need to do the timing belt? 40 or 32 valve?

audilvr

Hey Paul!
Belt was done by previous owner (car has only 75K on it, but he did it). Too bad he did not do the cooler, huh? I have no coolant leak-- just that lousy oil leak on the pass side that makes my garage look like a Jiffy Lube. I've got an independant who takes good instruction (so far) from Audipages procedures, and he just did the prop shaft (rear) for $190. BTW-- it is a 32V 1997 4.2 A8 Quattro hot/cold car.

I am hoping he comes in reasonably for the oil cooler, because that job is kind of messy. Boy these cars leak alot from so many places, but it seems once you fix 'em they are great cars!

I hope you had fun at Grattan, Paul. That was the first track I ever drove on (1985!). I still remember the jump, land brake and turn at 4-5-- there used to be a log laying across the end of the landing zone!

PaulW

I don't think the oil cooler leaks....I just changed my oil for Grattan last weekend and it's coming from the front of the engine.....

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

I'm almost certain that it's the gasket behind the plate labeled "idler pulley".....at least a guy on tyresmoke.net just had the same problem and that cured it and I think that fixed it for Jack also.

audilvr

God I hope that is not it! That would stink big time, particularly knowing that the belt was done already. THe stealer had the pan off and told me the cooler was leaking (it is not a big leak-- just a few drops on the floor every day) and he also said the pan gasket was leaking.