egp320i

the plastic cover that goes over the intake plenum....should there be alot of oil in there?
when i took it off enough to peek, it had enough to not look normal. if oil is getting down there, valve cover gasket leaking?

grnmtnquattro

you mean the plastic cover that say's V6? Shouldn't be any oil under there!

zeems

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/44526/plenumgasket_002.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/44526/plenumgasket_003.jpg">

If this is what you're talking about, it's normal.

repeater

As the engine gets older, more oil from blow-by collects down there. This plagues Ford and Chevy Idle Air Control valves that are right near the thottle body. Luckily The Audi V6 isn't. If you're getting alot of oil just keep cleaning it out. I'd take it off and clean it on every oil change. You might want to consider running a good ring sealer or Lucas treatment in conjunction with your oil - might cut it down a bit. Valve seals too - have they ever been done?

egp320i

yeah, that gasket...i need (should) replace it. it has 109k on it and i think its been giving my car hiccups for awhile now but worse now its cold.

egp320i

i've only had the car 6 months...everything that is came with the car.....
I can say the guy before me sunk tons of cash into this car, but he didnt get around to everything it seems.
though i did read that lubromoly mos2 can help cut oil consumption and blow by.
now if i could only get the two breather hoses off that connect onto each bank without breaking them off.

egp320i

all that oil is normal? so this seal if its old wont have any effect on idle, or stalling?

zeems

This rubber "gasket" doesn't really need to be replaced. What you can do is cut an 11" piece of RJ-11 phone wire and shove it into the space in the gasket. It makes for a much tighter seal. If you do a search for it, you should be able to find the instructions. Definitely do this if you haven't already.

egp320i

i did read that...does it really work?
i assume you mean taking the gasket off and doing the cord trick in the groove, then placing the gasket back over creating a raised ridge...thus making it tighter.

quattro.pilot

yes, what Azeem has pictured is exactly what we were talking about before.

In my experiences, there should be very little oil actually in the bottom of that plenun. And CERTAINLY not gobs of it running of the rubber gasket! (as in Azeem's pic)

Typically you will find lots of oil in there if you've over filled the crankcase (with oil, obviously.) I discovered this because I did it (about 1L too much!! yikes. was blowin' blue for quite some time...)

So, do as everyone else suggests. Give it a good cleaning. Poke into all the holes and reem them out as best you can. Make every effort to remove the CC breather hoses and in turn give them a thorough cleaning too. If I were you I'd buy a new rubber gasket instead of mickey mousing it with the RJ-11 trick. The gasket is only like $10-15 anyways and it should last for a good long time, provided you keep that area oil-free.

So yea, that's the lowdown about the TB intake plenum. I think you've had MORE than an adequate responce, and should be able to make informed decisions from here on in.

check yah later