AUA camcover oil leak.

[Crikeymikey]

As the title suggests, this is a 1.4 petrol query. Specifically the AUA.
I have a leaky rocker cover/cam cover problem, with oil getting into the sparkplug 2 and 3 area. Cylinder 3 is worse, about quarter of a teaspoon every 100 miles, I'd say. I am currently using kitchen towel rolled into a tube shape to swab out the oil every week or so. Not a long term solution.
Somewhat annoyingly, VAG have engineered the AUA cam cover to also act as the camshaft retention system, the cover being sealed by sealant between the mating surfaces rather than a gasket. This is very unusual, from an engineering point of view.
This makes the job of fixing an oil leak a bit of a faff.
The independent former Audi Master Tech I have used for lesser work has said flatly that he won't attempt to fix the leak because of the risk getting the re-assembly process wrong. He claims to have sought advice from other techs, who have discouraged him from doing this job.
Does anyone else have experience of this problem, or are able to corroborate the Tech's story?
On the basis that oil leaks always get worse, not better, I can't keep swabbing out the sparkplug holes for ever.

 

[steve_c]

I think that this is the appropriate section of the workshop manual

Audi Workshop Service and Repair Manuals > A2 > Power unit | 4-cylinder petrol injection engine (1.4 ltr.), mechanics | Engine cylinder head, valve gear | Cylinder head | Cylinder head - exploded view

A2 > Audi Workshop Service and Repair Manuals > Power unit | 4-cylinder petrol injection engine (1.4 ltr.), mechanics | Engine cylinder head, valve gear | Cylinder head | Cylinder head - exploded view

workshop-manuals.com

Just scroll through the pages until you find exactly what you want.

 

[Crikeymikey]

I think that this is the appropriate section of the workshop manual

Audi Workshop Service and Repair Manuals > A2 > Power unit | 4-cylinder petrol injection engine (1.4 ltr.), mechanics | Engine cylinder head, valve gear | Cylinder head | Cylinder head - exploded view

A2 > Audi Workshop Service and Repair Manuals > Power unit | 4-cylinder petrol injection engine (1.4 ltr.), mechanics | Engine cylinder head, valve gear | Cylinder head | Cylinder head - exploded view

workshop-manuals.com

Just scroll through the pages until you find exactly what you want.

Hi Steve. Thanks. I found the same information myself, but couldn't confirm that this relates specifically to an AUA. If it does then the drawing supports the Tech's assertion that there is no gasket but it is still unclear about his claim that the cams are held captive by the rocker cover and, as such, camcover removal is a major (and onerous) job.
I have a copy of the VAG Elsawin system on a laptop, that I am running through an emulator. The exploded drawing differs from the above but definitely relates to the AUA. Still inconclusive about captive cams however. I'd upload the drawing but the screenshot is still too large for this forum.

 

[Crikeymikey]

My engine is an AUA and has traditional plug caps, not coilpacks.
I'm trying to positively identify whether or not the cams are held captive by the camcover.
If they are, then I can appreciate why the independent Master Tech didn't want to do the job as camcover removal would disturb the whole valve train assembly. He said he spoke with a former colleague who warned him off doing this work because they had a bad experience themselves and trashed a motor doing this job, resulting in the customer having a brand new engine installed!
I'm not a motor mechanic but I do have an engineering background so I'm not clueless either. I've successfully worked on my own cars and motorbikes for years. To engineer the camcover to do 2 jobs in this way is idiotic and I've never come across such an arrangement before.
VAG does have a habit of trying to re-invent the wheel (5 valve BAM,VR6, W8, Twincharger, etc) so I wouldn't put this past them.
The bolts holding the camcover in place look a lot more substantial than one would usually see, which does suggest something more is going on with the cover than the usual task of "stop oil from spraying all over the engine bay" that most camcovers perform.
Thanks to anyone who can be bothered to read my nonesense!

 

[steve_c]

Hi Steve. Thanks. I found the same information myself, but couldn't confirm that this relates specifically to an AUA.

That section of the workshop manual quite specifically relates to the AUA and BBY engines.

Yes, it's a bit of a faff removing and refitting the camcover, but given how common these engines have been across the VAG range, I really would expect an Audi Master Tech to be happy to take the job on.

I'm sure that someone will be along at some point who has actually done this, and can advise from personal experience.

 

[Crikeymikey]

That section of the workshop manual quite specifically relates to the AUA and BBY engines.

Yes, it's a bit of a faff removing and refitting the camcover, but given how common these engines have been across the VAG range, I really would expect an Audi Master Tech to be happy to take the job on.

I'm sure that someone will be along at some point who has actually done this, and can advise from personal experience.

Thanks for your persistance, Steve!
I can appreciate that some technicians do shy away from working on older cars because the job can easily spiral out of control due to previously bodged repairs, corroded bolts and screws, and it must make workshop planning a bit of a lottery.
The nearest "proper" independent service center, used by some members here, is an hours drive away on Clydebank, Glasgow. It all seems a bit too much effort for a camcover oil leak but that's the way of things sometimes.
Thanks again.

 

[Crikeymikey]

By way of an update...
As I mentioned previously, my local independent decided he was not prepared to do the work. I ended up driving the hour up to Glasgow and having it dealt with by AforAudi on Clydebank. £800 (which included cambelt, tensioner and water pump) and 2 days wait. Very highly recommended. While they had the car they also dealt with some other oil leaks that had been bodged by previous owners/mechanics, had a new cv boot on the NS and an oil change.
I have now spent £3500 in the last 6 months on overdue servicing and rectification and, honestly, I don't really begrudge it.
I've been talking with Tom (Timmus) about a few upgrades but my own cottage restoration looks like it's going to claim any available cash for a while!
Still love the little fella though, and it has been officially named "Tigger" on account of the ride quality.

 

[steve_c]

I ended up driving the hour up to Glasgow and having it dealt with by AforAudi on Clydebank. £800 (which included cambelt, tensioner and water pump) and 2 days wait. Very highly recommended. While they had the car they also dealt with some other oil leaks that had been bodged by previous owners/mechanics, had a new cv boot on the NS and an oil change.

Thanks for the update, and of course I'm really pleased that it all went well and everything has been sorted. It's good to know that A for Audi can be relied on to look after an A2 properly, and I would imagine that, despite the distance, you'll probably be using them again when you require professional servicing.

Audi Servicing Glasgow | Car Repairs | Audi Service Centre

A for Audi Ltd are Audi trained technicians providing car repairs and servicing based in Clydebank, Glasgow. Scotlands leading independent Audi specialist service and repair centre

www.a4audi.co.uk

 

[Crikeymikey]

Thanks for the update, and of course I'm really pleased that it all went well and everything has been sorted. It's good to know that A for Audi can be relied on to look after an A2 properly, and I would imagine that, despite the distance, you'll probably be using them again when you require professional servicing.

Audi Servicing Glasgow | Car Repairs | Audi Service Centre

A for Audi Ltd are Audi trained technicians providing car repairs and servicing based in Clydebank, Glasgow. Scotlands leading independent Audi specialist service and repair centre

www.a4audi.co.uk

Indeed, Steve. They were fantastic, and even provided a loan vehicle at short notice.