3.0 oil leak not valve cover gasket...

**Avantist** · 03-22-2009 10:52 AM

Hey guys, I had an oil leak which was dripping on to the exhaust/CC. I replaced the valve cover gasket (passenger side only as driver's side is fine) with the help from members on this forum.

It didn't stop the leak. Any ideas on where it could be leaking?

I have read about a half-moon seal/metal gasket for the cam chain tensioner on the 1.8t but not sure it applies to the 3.0 v6.

Any insight would be appreciated.

**AudiA4_20T** · 03-22-2009 11:08 AM

yes the half moon applies to 3.0 heads as well

**bofa deez** · 03-22-2009 11:10 AM

yep like you suspected. its gauranteed to be the cam adjuster seals like you said. half moon and metal gasket. these things go bad all the time... on passenger side these are a pain in the ass the get the seals in and out. drivers side is a lot easier cause its on the front of the engine, not the back. also inorder to access the seals you have to compress the chain tensioner with a special tool that threads into the head.

**Avantist** · 03-22-2009 11:51 AM

Thanks guys, I will order the parts and the tensioner tool tomorrow.

Where exactly is this seal anyway? Took a quick look but could not see it.

**AudiA4_20T** · 03-22-2009 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by Avantist

Thanks guys, I will order the parts and the tensioner tool tomorrow.

Where exactly is this seal anyway? Took a quick look but could not see it.

under the cam tensioner at the back of the head

**KJIV** · 03-22-2009 12:07 PM

Not to question anyone's knowledge, but I don't know if these tensioners exist on the 3.0 head. I think they do on the older 2.8's and 2.7's. But the 3.0 actually has 4 cam gears that are all driven directly on the timing belt.

It could be the cam seals that sit behind the cam gears, those are known to leak as well.

**Avantist** · 03-22-2009 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by KJIV

Not to question anyone's knowledge, but I don't know if these tensioners exist on the 3.0 head. I think they do on the older 2.8's and 2.7's. But the 3.0 actually has 4 cam gears that are all driven directly on the timing belt.

It could be the cam seals that sit behind the cam gears, those are known to leak as well.

Is this true? Should I not order the half-moon seal/metal gasket/tool ?

I plan on ordering a Bentley dvd but in the meantime can anybody advise on what to do? Thanks.

**absolutegtr** · 03-22-2009 07:05 PM

The 3.0 heads utilize the same halfmoon gasket

**02silverb6** · 03-22-2009 07:16 PM

I had a bad oil leak and it definately was the cam adjuster seals..i would replace those first before anything else.

**MSUaudi** · 10-07-2015 07:08 PM

OK, my 3.0 is leaking pretty badly and smoking when i park it seems to be on the passage side pretty bad and the drivers side a little bit. what parts other than the valve cover gasket should i get ? i want to make sure the problem is 100% fixed when i do the work and don't mind doing extra

**diagnosticator** · 10-07-2015 11:07 PM

Originally Posted by MSUaudi

OK, my 3.0 is leaking pretty badly and smoking when i park it seems to be on the passage side pretty bad and the drivers side a little bit. what parts other than the valve cover gasket should i get ? i want to make sure the problem is 100% fixed when i do the work and don't mind doing extra

The valve cover gaskets are the most common parts that age and leak oil like that. Very often, simply re-tightening the valve cover screws will stop any leaking of oil occurring. When the cover gasket ages, is relaxes under the valve cover and the cover screws get loose. Try re-tightening the cover screws before replacing the gaskets.

**john_gonzo** · 10-08-2015 06:36 PM

What he said ^

Also, quick test: With engine running, remove oil fill cap from driver's side valve cover. Is there a slight vacuum present when you are lifting the cap out? There should be. If there is pressure (instead of vacuum), your PCV system may be plugged or damaged. This pressure forces oil past the valve cover seals.

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