Rolf

So I know the valve covers (both) are leaking like a bastard from almost all the way around the entire cover .. but they've deposited so much oil all over the god damn place that I cant tell if anything else is leaking. heres pics

is this a rear main seal leak? or is it just oil dripping down from the valve covers?
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/86936/dsc01559.jpg">

heres a close-up
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/86936/dsc01560.jpg">

pan leak, or again just oil dripping from the valve covers? drivers side of motor by drain plug:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/86936/dsc01561.jpg">\

here is a pic of the valve cover above the two previous pictures
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/86936/dsc01564.jpg">

same valve cover
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/86936/dsc01562.jpg">

passenger valve cover
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/86936/dsc01558.jpg">

I'm assuming this oil on the passenger side near the cam sprocket is from the valve cover as well? or is it from the cam seal?
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/86936/dsc01555.jpg">

I loosened the metal cover behind the cam sprocket to get a pic of in between that cover and the head
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/86936/dsc01557.jpg">

another shot of the corner of that valve cover that sits against the metal cover behind the cam sprocket
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/86936/dsc01556.jpg">

what is that rubber plug? I assume its some sort of seal for the cam? is that leaking or again just oil dripping from the valve cover?
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/86936/dsc01563.jpg">

sorry for the long post .. but besides the obvious (valve covers), what else should I replace? is that a rear main seal leak? oil pan gaskets (upper and lower)? help!

SupraTL

they're basically regular maintenance. I'm not sure about the RMS, the lower oil pan has no gasket, that's easy enough to take off and reseal, and the upper, I've never had experience with so someone else is going to have to chime in.

Rolf

ya I was definately going to do the valve covers .. I had read about the lower pan being just a silicone gasket seal so I'll do that too. I hadnt planned on doing the cam seals but your right I may as well

2000s4biturbo::Uli

super

Rolf

thank you for the helpful post uli - I can always count on you

Christian (Stage Ow)

Yeah - if you have the motor out, you may as well do an overhaul on the seals.

2000s4biturbo::Uli

urmom goes to college

Rolf

is that just oil leaking down from the valve covers? The reason I tend to think that is because there is only oil in the bottom left and right corners .. which happens to be right below each leaking valve cover.

S4gasm (LoTR)

how many miles on the motor?

Rolf

About 82K