Re-Seal Valve Cover & Replace Upper Timing Cover HELP please.

[Lu12is]

Shop is quoting me $1475.33 +tax to reseal cam cover and replace upper-timing cover on my 2015 s3. Is this reasonable and are these leaks something that I need to replace right now? Can it wait a thousand miles? Pictures of leaks included.

.cam and uppertiming cover leaks.jpegcam and uppertiming cover leaks 3.jpegcam and uppertiming cover leaks 2.jpeg

[Grey3]

My upper timing cover is also showing a little seepage. Don’t think it’s quite as much as yours yet but my mechanic said down the road it will need to be replaced. Common failure point on these cars. If the car still runs and drives fine another 1k miles or so should be fine. Just be anal about checking your oil level. Im no expert either, but definitely get it done sooner than later.


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[MikTip]

Shop is quoting me $1475.33 +tax to reseal cam cover and replace upper-timing cover on my 2015 s3. Is this reasonable and are these leaks something that I need to replace right now? Can it wait a thousand miles? Pictures of leaks included.

As a mechanic myself...there are different types of leaks. What you see on the valve cover is called seeping. Its not a running leak or a drip.

My 2015 Audi S3 with 150,000 miles has the same identical issue.

The problem fixing it is the upper valve cover which has no gasket per say...its sealed with sealant at the factory. To remove the valve cover, which also hold down the cam shafts which are held by the timing chain...involves first releasing timing chain tension so when the valve cover is unbolted and the valve springs push the 2 cams up, it wont damage the timing chain. This is why it costs so much.

If the leak is not dripping or pouring out oil...I would say its fine. How many miles on the car?

[Lu12is]

As a mechanic myself...there are different types of leaks. What you see on the valve cover is called seeping. Its not a running leak or a drip.

My 2015 Audi S3 with 150,000 miles has the same identical issue.

The problem fixing it is the upper valve cover which has no gasket per say...its sealed with sealant at the factory. To remove the valve cover, which also hold down the cam shafts which are held by the timing chain...involves first releasing timing chain tension so when the valve cover is unbolted and the valve springs push the 2 cams up, it wont damage the timing chain. This is why it costs so much.

If the leak is not dripping or pouring out oil...I would say its fine. How many miles on the car?

I have around 61000 miles. I burnt through about 1 liter of oil in the last 1600 miles.

[BKozS3]

Shop is quoting me $1475.33 +tax to reseal cam cover and replace upper-timing cover on my 2015 s3. Is this reasonable and are these leaks something that I need to replace right now? Can it wait a thousand miles? Pictures of leaks included.

.cam and uppertiming cover leaks.jpegcam and uppertiming cover leaks 3.jpegcam and uppertiming cover leaks 2.jpeg

The cost sounds about right. I just picked up an S3 from Carvana and found the valve cover leaking when I changed the spark plugs. Thankfully the Carvana warranty covered the repair, I think the Audi dealer that did it charged 2250 in all IIRC. Like someone else said it is a really involved process since it's also the integrated upper cam girdle.

[rodacollier]

I would ask how much more to replace timing belt, seems like an awful lot of time and money to just stops leak and not perform maintenance.


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[BKozS3]

I would ask how much more to replace timing belt, seems like an awful lot of time and money to just stops leak and not perform maintenance.


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I could be wrong, but I believe the timing chain is a lifetime item. Similar to when I had the thermostat housing and water pump replace, I asked about the water pump belt and there is no service interval.

[Cairo94507]

I just had this done on my '16 S3 with 73K on it. They did spark plugs, transmission service, coil packs and then the valve cover leak. I provided the parts and it cost me $900 for all the work.

[Grey3]

I could be wrong, but I believe the timing chain is a lifetime item. Similar to when I had the thermostat housing and water pump replace, I asked about the water pump belt and there is no service interval.

It is a timing chain. Which can possibly stretch. I’ll have mine inspected when my mechanic actually does the upper timing cover. Considered a wear item, could be lifetime, maybe not 108k on my A3


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[MikTip]

I have around 61000 miles. I burnt through about 1 liter of oil in the last 1600 miles.

Yes. Your pvc/ oil separator is probably bad...which is also another known issue with thr E888.3

[MikTip]

Timing chain on E888.3 is lifetime. But Audi has a inspection for checking stretch...

[Lu12is]

Timing chain on E888.3 is lifetime. But Audi has a inspection for checking stretch...

Thanks for all the advice, looking into getting these things replaced/serviced. Would love to learn to do all this myself but really starting from 0 here.

[MikTip]

Thanks for all the advice, looking into getting these things replaced/serviced. Would love to learn to do all this myself but really starting from 0 here.

It helps to have the factory repair manuals😁

[ralphie_43]

It helps to have the factory repair manuals

You have one?


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