A7 C7 3.0t 2012 oil leak

[AudiA7C73.0t]

Hello guys, my first post here.
I have been fighthing an oil lrak on my c7 a7.
It was pretty obvious the main source of the leak was the oil filter housing, i changed that and fully cleanned my engine bay.
It was dry for months. No oil drips
This morning i had the little drops of oil on my parking spot.
I still didnt had a chance to lift the car and fully inspect the bottom of the car, but the top of my engine bay is pretty clean and dry.
Would love to hear from other users what are the most comum causes of oil leak on c7 3.0t engines and what to attack next.
I will try to get an oil change tomorrow and ask then to perform a visual inspection for leaks. I will update here.
Thanks.

[Bk808a6]

Rear main seal?

[Botbasher]

Rear main seal?

RMS, upper timing covers (outer corners) and lower timing cover (lots of orings) are all suspect. There's a lot of possibilities. If your belly pans are in place it could be traveling as well leading you to look at the wrong suspects.

You can buy some Rhino Ramps and crawl under and do regular inspections after cleanings rather than trust someone else's eyes. Leave the belly pans off for a drive and then recheck.

Cheers!

KS

[AudiA7C73.0t]

Rear main seal?

Yeah i will do this next.

[AudiA7C73.0t]

RMS, upper timing covers (outer corners) and lower timing cover (lots of orings) are all suspect. There's a lot of possibilities. If your belly pans are in place it could be traveling as well leading you to look at the wrong suspects.

You can buy some Rhino Ramps and crawl under and do regular inspections after cleanings rather than trust someone else's eyes. Leave the belly pans off for a drive and then recheck.

Cheers!

KS

Thanks. I live in a condo. No garage, just a parking spot. I will take it for a wash and see if i can find the leak with the ramps. Thanks for the tips.

[sepheroth86]

Oil cooler and vacuum pump were both leaking on my 3.0t.

Replaced the vacuum pump + gasket eliminated that one and a new oil cooler gasket + new screws (factory are 1 use aluminum and tend to snap off) remedied my oil leaks.

[Botbasher]

Oil cooler and vacuum pump were both leaking on my 3.0t.

Replaced the vacuum pump + gasket eliminated that one and a new oil cooler gasket + new screws (factory are 1 use aluminum and tend to snap off) remedied my oil leaks.

Vac pump is up high on the front of the motor and the oil cooler is down low on the drivers side. That trail should be easy to see if it's either of those.

But while you check the oil cooler, inspect the hi/low oil pressure valve, just to the rear of the oil cooler. The oring on it is another insidious leaker and VERY difficult to access.

All 3 of these are towards the from of the motor and should leave copious evidence on the belly plates!

Cheers,

KS

[Erikbecker]

Oil leaks on C7 3.0t engines often happen because of valve cover gaskets, oil pan gaskets, or oil cooler seals. Look for oil around the turbocharger oil lines too. Check the PCV valve and hoses, as they can also cause leaks. And inspect the valve cover gaskets.