Audi Oil leaks – Inspections and Solutions

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Engine oil leaks can come in many different forms. Some can be extremely catastrophic yet easy to diagnose, while others can be very difficult to inspect. Overall, whenever there is an oil leak, you will have to go through more digging than simply just looking underneath the car.

Whether you drive a 2 liter Audi, or any other type of car, oil leaks are usually left unintended and unidentified. However, it is important to address them as early as possible before they begin to get worse.

Common Audi Problems which cause Oil Leakages

Audi cars, especially ones that come with a 2-liter engine such as the Audi A4 are susceptible to having some common problems that lead to oil leakages. Audi A4 2 liter motor is a reliable machine. However, oil paint and gasket are commonly leaking points on the engine. Audi A4 owners have also experienced coolant-related issues under the intake manifold that often tend to leak.

Oil Filter Housing Failure

You can find the oil filter housing located below the intake manifold. On top of the oil filter housing, you will find an oil cooler that is mounted on top of it. This part inside the 2-liter motor is prone to having a gasket failure, which eventually leads to an oil leak. Not only that, but the oil filter housing can also undergo wear damages and begin cracking.

The oil filter cracks mostly because it is made of plastic, which causes the oil to leak. If you notice a pool of oil that is collecting right below the oil filter housing, then it is highly likely that the gasket has failed. Taking on the task of solving this problem will require you to remove and replace the oil cooler gasket.

Valve Cover Gasket Failure

The valve cover gasket is responsible for keeping the oil inside the cylinder head. This gasket is vulnerable to common wear and tear, which could result in environmental damages. Over time, the gasket starts to crack and become brittle due to prolonged exposure to heat. A leaky gasket ultimately means oil leakage, and if you do not address the problem on time, the car will run low on oil.

Driving the car while it is low on oil can cause major engine damages and sometimes the oil leaking from the valve cover gaskets can also drop down to the spark plug tubes. This can lead to a cylinder misfire. To stay on the safe side, you can take your car to the mechanic for a gasket replacement, considering that you have hinted at signs of failure.

Determine that you have an Oil Leak

The reason why oil leak issues often go unnoticed by car owners is that the oil tends to leak very slowly. This is usually due to the belly pan underneath the car, or the oil is getting caught in the subframe, along with the well on the transmission or engine.

Just because you cannot spot these leaks, does not mean that you should ignore them. Failing to repair oil leaks in time will often trickle down into other issues. For instance, the oil can puddle underneath your car, cause coolant leaks, damage wires, and more. This is why you must address even the most minor oil leaks.

Visual Inspection

The first step to addressing an oil leak involves a simple visual inspection. You should inspect from the top side of the engine to the bottom. This is usually because it is the easiest place to start. When looking over the top, look for any signs of wetness around the engine.

Signs of staining on the engine could also indicate leakage. You can find staining usually on the top side of the valve cover. You also need to be looking for any puddles of engine oil in and around the engine and motor. It is also worth mentioning that you must have a technician address other common issues with the car before you add the motor oil die.

Overall, even engine compartments that are covered in residue can be a sure sign of an oil leak. If you look between the valve cover and cylinder head and identify wetness, this indicates an oil leakage somewhere in the valve cover space. Finding the exact point of leakage will, however, involve professional expertise.

Once you are done with a topside inspection, you can move towards the bottom view and find out more about the oil leaks. Diagnosing an oil leak from the bottom side of the engine can be tricky depending on the severity of the leak, along with the duration. Only using this method may translate to a difficult time.

Finding Oil Leaks

Visual inspections alone are mostly not enough when it comes to spotting an oil leak. Other ways include sliding cardboard underneath the car so that even the smallest of oil drops become more visible. However, you need to first remove the belly pan or shielding from under the car.

Another thing you can use for an initial oil leak inspection is your nose. Many times an oil leakage will emit a smell after falling onto a hot surface, and you may even be able to see the smoke that it produces. This is why it is always a good option to pop open the Audi hood and observe unusual smoke or smell when the engine is hot.

Once you complete your initial inspections, you can move forward to pinpointing where the leakage is coming from. There are plenty of methods that you can use when doing this. Technicians and professionals possess the necessary material and tools to execute a sophisticated inspection, which is critical for solving the leakage issue.

Bring Your Car Over to Koala Motorsport!

We are a repair and maintenance service that is equipped with the best expertise and technologies to handle a wide range of car issues. We have a long line of experience with cars of all makes and models, especially Audi, BMW, MINI, and Porsche. With Koala Motorsport by your side, you have a cost-effective and quick solution to all repairs and replacements of car components.

Sources

https://sbautowerks.com/common-causes-of-oil-leaks-in-audis/

https://www.blauparts.com/blog/audi-a4-oil-leaks.html

https://www.beachhouseimports.com/is-your-audi-leaking-oil-here-are-3-possible-explanations/