Figured it out finally---leaking valve cover
03-29-2016, 11:32 AM
#12
AudiWorld Senior Member
I have seen people make their own gaskets out of thicker material to get more crush out of warped parts, but I don't know if you can get the same type of material as the OEM gaskets.
03-29-2016, 11:42 AM
#13
AudiWorld Super User
Its definitely plastic and there is no machining of plastic that I am aware of. I am resigned that this one is borderline ruined due to the amount of heat that is generated under the hood and on the block. All the other ends/sides are straight and yes you would think the bolt/screw would flatten it out and seal the corner and it does, but not all the way. Once its tightened down it all appears to be good but clearly its not because enough seeps out to drip onto the exhaust and continue to smoke.
So, here is the open question to the team: I have some Permatex black that I can use to attempt to seal it just a little bit more. Clearly i want the new gasket to sit flush on the block but what would be the best way to make use of the permatex? The only way that I can see that it would be effective would be to run a thin bead inside the small gasket valley that the gasket sits inside and while its still wet, to go ahead and place it back onto the block and cinch it down. I'd let it dry for 24 hours before starting the engine and raise it to operating temp. Am I on the right path here?
So, here is the open question to the team: I have some Permatex black that I can use to attempt to seal it just a little bit more. Clearly i want the new gasket to sit flush on the block but what would be the best way to make use of the permatex? The only way that I can see that it would be effective would be to run a thin bead inside the small gasket valley that the gasket sits inside and while its still wet, to go ahead and place it back onto the block and cinch it down. I'd let it dry for 24 hours before starting the engine and raise it to operating temp. Am I on the right path here?
Yes the Permatex. New gasket again so you can cinch it down and have more "springiness"/resiliency in the material before it starts to take its own heat set. After a while though, may be little choice but to replace cover. BTDT on other types of equipment with seals under stress, like pool pumps and filters and such. Sometimes just no band aiding or just an incremental seal or other patches.
BTW, on the "stress" theme and as mentioned before, make sure motor isn't pressurizing, especially with your prior history of painful oil leaks in critical areas. That is going to defeat your best efforts and just cause the next weakest link to go in turn.
03-29-2016, 01:57 PM
#14
AudiWorld Super User
As you may know I can't check it on my A8, but from the picture here it definitely looks like send cast aluminum (may be magnesium). How and why would plastic have that rough surface?
03-29-2016, 02:07 PM
#15
AudiWorld Senior Member
03-29-2016, 02:58 PM
#16
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Guys,
I rarely ask people to trust me, but TRUST ME.........this thing is as plastic as plastic gets. It has a finish that makes it look magnesium or aluminum, but once you have it in your hands, you know its plastic. It is almost translucent once you have it off. Bout to go seal it with permatex and see what happens tomorrow.
I rarely ask people to trust me, but TRUST ME.........this thing is as plastic as plastic gets. It has a finish that makes it look magnesium or aluminum, but once you have it in your hands, you know its plastic. It is almost translucent once you have it off. Bout to go seal it with permatex and see what happens tomorrow.
03-30-2016, 08:29 PM
#17
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So the results are in and they are mixed. After laying a small bead down in the valley where the gasket fits (at the back bottom corner) it seems that I have slowed the leak to a minimum. After getting the motor to operating temperature and driving it around for 20 minutes, there is a very small amount (much much less than before) of smoke emanating from somewhere along the exhaust manifold. At this point its something I can live with until I decide that a 400 dollar valve cover is in the budget.
03-31-2016, 06:12 AM
#19
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Jack88,
I hope that maybe that's what I am seeing, but I just cannot tell yet.......
The easiest way to see if its smoking is actually at night when the headlights are on and you can see if any smoke whisps in front of the headlight. I am guessing at this point but I still think there may be a leak, but as stated previously its tolerable at this point.
I hope that maybe that's what I am seeing, but I just cannot tell yet.......
The easiest way to see if its smoking is actually at night when the headlights are on and you can see if any smoke whisps in front of the headlight. I am guessing at this point but I still think there may be a leak, but as stated previously its tolerable at this point.
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