Valve cover gasket?

[Ordie]

Need to do a valve cover gasket change on the driver side. Are there any DIYs on it. I know it should be simple but just don't want to run into any surprises.

Also trying to order from ECS but not sure which one to order. It says left or right. Is it from looking at the engine or if as you were sitting in the car?

[whiped]

The left side is the driver's side.

Looks pretty straight forward, here is the torquing order:



All bolts go to 9 Nm

[ShelbyM3]

Same boat, driver's side leak. I ordered both gaskets from RockAuto a while ago for like $7, but needed torque diagram. Thanks Whiped!

Anyone know if hardware needs to be replaced, as well?


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[whiped]

1. Cylinder Head Gasket
􀁺 Removing and installing, refer to CYLINDER HEADS
􀁺 Installed position: the part number faces the cylinder head
􀁺 Change the coolant and engine oil after replacing
2. Cylinder Head
􀁺 Removing and installing, refer to CYLINDER HEADS
􀁺 Check for distortion, refer to Fig. 8
􀁺 Reworking dimension, refer to Fig. 9
􀁺 Change the coolant and engine oil after replacing
3. Bolt
􀁺 Tightening specification, refer to Special Tools
4. Vacuum Pump
􀁺 Removing and installing, refer to Removal and Installation
5. O-ring
􀁺 Replace
6. Camshaft Position Sensor
􀁺 Cylinder bank 1 (right) Camshaft Position (CMP) sensor -G40-
􀁺 Cylinder bank 2 (left) Camshaft Position (CMP) sensor 2 -G163-
7. Bolt
􀁺 Tightening specification, refer to Specifications
8. Bolt
􀁺 Replace
􀁺 Follow the sequence when loosening Fig. 106
􀁺 Tightening specification and sequence, refer to Fig. 7
9. Ignition Coil
􀁺 Removing and installing, refer to Removal and Installation
10. Cylinder Head Cover
􀁺 Removing and installing: left, refer to LEFT CYLINDER HEAD COVER, right refer to RIGHT CYLINDER HEAD COVER
11. Gasket
􀁺 Replace if damaged or leaking
12. Cover
13. Bolt
􀁺 Replace if the seal is damaged
􀁺 Tightening specification and sequence: left cylinder head cover, refer to Fig. 5, right cylinder head cover, refer to Fig. 6
14. Bolt
􀁺 Tightening specification, refer to Specifications
15. Connector Strip
􀁺 For the ignition coils
16. Cylinder Head Cover Gasket
􀁺 Replace if damaged or leaking
17. Camshaft Adjustment Solenoid Valve
􀁺 Cylinder bank 1 (right) camshaft adjustment valve 1 -N205-
􀁺 Cylinder bank 2 (left) camshaft adjustment valve 2 -N208-
18. Bolt
􀁺 5 Nm
19. O-ring
􀁺 Replace

[mjwolff35]

Just had both sides done at my local shop, they charged 1.5 hrs. Would've done this if I had the universals and tools to get into the tight spaces.


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[Hofahome]

I'm curious. Are you just replacing because of oil leak around the gasket or are you having symptoms of something?


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[Ordie]

Oil leak.

Thank for the help.

[ninsei]

Hi. Have a valve cover leak as well: the pics don't work in this thread anymore. Anybody know the bolt tightening sequence?

[Works2shoot]

Hi. Have a valve cover leak as well: the pics don't work in this thread anymore. Anybody know the bolt tightening sequence?

Download the extension for chrome to make the pictures work.

[dls11b8]

Just an FYI, had my valve covers off last week.. I found the lower rear bolt on both sides was only able to be accessed with a T30 Allen style wrench, and even with that I could only get about a quarter turn at a time.... It was a PITA.


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[KimmoL]

Hi. Have a valve cover leak as well: the pics don't work in this thread anymore. Anybody know the bolt tightening sequence?

[Jonny5oh]

Hi all,

I have a quick question. I've done VC gaskets on my previous B5 A4 and B7 S4 and always used sealant in the corners where the gasket transitions for one plane to another and over the half moons etc.

I'm about to the the gaskets on my 2010 s43.0T this weekend and i've noticed that there are no corners to speak of so do you use sealant or not?

If you do use it where? the whole surface? Both sides of the gasket?

I noticed that ECS sells a kit that comes with sealant.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

Jon

[$nooze]

in for input as requested from previous post.

noticing oil around the bolts and want to change mine as well

[Jonny5oh]

in for input as requested from previous post.

noticing oil around the bolts and want to change mine as well

I haven't done mine yet due to the weather but the primary leak location for me is also the bolts.

Each bolt has its own integrated rubber seal so you might as well replace them all...each bolt is about $7 x 24 bolts = :(

[ninsei]

About to change out both VC gaskets as well. This thread is helpful. Thanks. So what's the verdict on sealant? Do we use any sealant anywhere?

[JimmyJamesS4]

Just changed mine, no sealant used, got elrings gaskets off fcp euro, watched BDT's YouTube video Audi S4 valve cover gasket install. Got a performance tool 1/4 inch drive with a scale at the top that reads in NM from O'Reilly. Biggest PIA is the back bottom bolts on each side.

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[higsy98]

Just changed mine, no sealant used, got elrings gaskets off fcp euro, watched BDT's YouTube video Audi S4 valve cover gasket install. Got a performance tool 1/4 inch drive with a scale at the top that reads in NM from O'Reilly. Biggest PIA is the back bottom bolts on each side.

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How can I tell if they need changing? Cause I know my car has a really slow leak somewhere under the engine or around there but I never see any active dripping

[JimmyJamesS4]

Age, milage

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[TC_S4]

Just changed mine, no sealant used, got elrings gaskets off fcp euro, watched BDT's YouTube video Audi S4 valve cover gasket install. Got a performance tool 1/4 inch drive with a scale at the top that reads in NM from O'Reilly. Biggest PIA is the back bottom bolts on each side.

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I have everything ready to tackle the job, got a torque wrench, a micro flex bit driver and both cover gaskets of the dealer.
My only question, how do you torque to 9Nm the back bottom bolts on each side? Don’t think I can fit my torque wrench in the reach of back bolts.

[JimmyJamesS4]

I have everything ready to tackle the job, got a torque wrench, a micro flex bit driver and both cover gaskets of the dealer.
My only question, how do you torque to 9Nm the back bottom bolts on each side? Don’t think I can fit my torque wrench in the reach of back bolts.

By feel, you'll get a sense of what 9 nm feels like from the other bolts.

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[higsy98]

Age, milage

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year: 2010 just over 109891kms

[Quattro_Gang]

By feel, you'll get a sense of what 9 nm feels like from the other bolts.

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The best way to do it is to get low profile bits. I will have a DIY when I get mine for Black friday

[fastboatster]

The bolts near the strut towers can’t really be torqued even with low profile bits, will have to go by feel anyway.
P.S. maybe undoing the engine mount bolt and jacking the engine up on the side you are trying to tighten that bolt near the strut tower might give some extra clearance. Worth trying if you really want to have it torqued with torque wrench.

[james3183]

This how to video is key https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJGhqYvp4pA

I'm a nurse not a mechanic ha but tackled this job with the help of the video. Did crack the pcv hose a bit but nothing JB weld couldn't handle. My tip is that T30 swivel socket is essential before taking this on, the back nuts on either side are horrendous to get to. I ordered one out of spite after finishing the job.