Bad Oil Leak - Forum Help

[topcat_92]

Was surprised to see a significant puddle of oil in the driveway early last week where the RS6 usually parks. Called the wife to check the oil, and it barely made it to the dipstick. It's her daily driver. Went to her office and it took almost 2 quarts. Checked again the next day, 1/2 quart, and again the next. WTF?!?

University Audi was great to take it in late Friday, and get me an Allroad loaner. The call came this morning that they've isolated the leak to above one of the turbo's (not sure which side), but can't pinpoint where it is coming from without digging deeper and pulling the engine. $5k+.

Going to get it back to the house and park it until I can figure out my next step.

Help from the Forum: what are the potential leak points for this type of issue and what kind of hours am I looking at for a private shop or myself to get to and fix? Could this be a cracked block or something? The trans needs to be swapped, so I anticipate both will need to be pulled.

The wife loves RS, to the point that fixing it or getting another RS is in my future.

Thanks for any input, suggestions, and comments.

Scott

[DHall1]

Let the pac NW owners chime but whats the name of the tuner up there? AMD?

Do a oil dye test before pulling anything! Find the source before taking it apart at all costs.

[topcat_92]

Let the pac NW owners chime but whats the name of the tuner up there? AMD?

Do a oil dye test before pulling anything! Find the source before taking it apart at all costs.

Thanks DHall.

Yep, AMD: Addict Motorsport Design. (425) 424-2165. Already have a voicemail into them.

Other suggestions/people appreciated.

[DHall1]

Good

run away fast from that dealer

[Bigglezworth]

Too much oil loss in too short of a time for a valve cover leak. The turbos are oil fed, so it's plausible a feeder or return line is failing. A rear seal wouldn't leak that much either. A dye test will help you a host in narrowing down where the leak is. Keep us posted.

[mgmarsh39]

Intercoolers? Mine would pool oil under the nose. Check the pressure lines going into the intercoolers too. They seem to get cruddy real quick and could be leaking.

[Bigglezworth]

Intercoolers? Mine would pool oil under the nose. Check the pressure lines going into the intercoolers too. They seem to get cruddy real quick and could be leaking.Won't be intercoolers with the volumes described. Intercoolers only collect oil if, a) PCV system isn't scavenging combustion blow-by well enough and it is then condensing at the low point of the charge line, or thr seals on a turbo are worn out and allowing blow-by in to the intake system. It is normal for a bit if oil to leak out when you remove the lower intercooler hose due to oil ladden vapour in thr intake tract, but leaking on on the ground is not normal and suggests worn turbo.

From what the OP described, it sounds like back if engine are and not front.

[kismetcapitan]

dye tests are invaluable. I had an oil leak that was so slow you could only *smell* it - it wasn't leaking enough to leave visible traces anywhere. Valve cover gaskets of course, but it did also lead to the cam tensioner, that was in danger of potentially failing - apparently part of it is plastic, and my tech found small cracks in the plastic.

[SteveKen]

Some usual suspects are easy to check:

-You could have a leaking turbo oil return line and those are easy to check.
-The oil cooler lines and filter are also fairly easy to look at.

Supply line is a bit more difficult to get a visual on.

[lswing]

but it did also lead to the cam tensioner, that was in danger of potentially failing - apparently part of it is plastic, and my tech found small cracks in the plastic

Sounds like the cam tensioner seal, common I think, been replaced every time my engine was out. Yes, the feet/pads of the cam adjuster unit are plastic, and cost about $40. The units themselves are $750 a piece. I would not think they would be leaking oil as they're a self contained solenoid driven unit.

Make sure the pads are replaced on both sides, top and bottom! Common failure issue around 100k miles.

And yes, the VC gaskets love to leak down onto the exhaust manifold...smells like an Audi!

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd385/silverd22/Camadjuster.jpg

[hahnmgh63]

What Bigglezworth said...also check the tensioner seal. Not an RS6 problem per se but an Audi/VW issue. Someone with a little time and a good video inspection camera should be able to find that issue quickly, the dye would really help too. Wish I was around but enjoying the hospitality of our far far eastern brothers in Afghanistan right now. Besides my RS6 is still sitting on the lift at home.

[kismetcapitan]

Sounds like the cam tensioner seal, common I think, been replaced every time my engine was out. Yes, the feet/pads of the cam adjuster unit are plastic, and cost about $40. The units themselves are $750 a piece. I would not think they would be leaking oil as they're a self contained solenoid driven unit.

Make sure the pads are replaced on both sides, top and bottom! Common failure issue around 100k miles.

And yes, the VC gaskets love to leak down onto the exhaust manifold...smells like an Audi!


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd385/silverd22/Camadjuster.jpg

well poop, I had the entire unit replaced and yep, it cost $750. That, plus the valve cover gaskets, took care of all oil leakage issues. Now I just have to deal with the damned output shaft seal, which has another slow leak.

[lswing]

well poop, I had the entire unit replaced and yep, it cost $750. That, plus the valve cover gaskets, took care of all oil leakage issues. Now I just have to deal with the damned output shaft seal, which has another slow leak.

I replaced the whole units just to get it done while in there, $1500 parts. So was only one side fixed? Get ready for the other side to fail, pads at least.

Rear output shaft out the back of the trans is a known issue, there is an upgraded seal. Was put into mine during last rebuild, not sure about the repair when in car.

[topcat_92]

Thanks for the input everyone. Great Forum.

With oil leak nearing Exxon Valdez levels, took the RS to Addict to finally take care of the transmission, oil leak, new intercoolers, O2's, timing belt, and misc. maintenance, along with installing the breaks/pads, MTM TCU chip, and Eurocharged ECU tune I've had stashed away for a while.

No word back yet on where they found the oil leak yet, but once I hear I'll post to the thread.

Can't wait to get the RS back.

[lswing]

Thanks for the input everyone. Great Forum.

With oil leak nearing Exxon Valdez levels, took the RS to Addict to finally take care of the transmission, oil leak, new intercoolers, O2's, timing belt, and misc. maintenance, along with installing the breaks/pads, MTM TCU chip, and Eurocharged ECU tune I've had stashed away for a while.

No word back yet on where they found the oil leak yet, but once I hear I'll post to the thread.

Can't wait to get the RS back.

That's a full refresh, should be golden when done. Make sure they replace the pads on your cam adjust tensioners, most seem to fail around 100-150k miles.

Assume you have the Bufkin oil cooler pipe done also?

Edit; what kind of trans replacement is going in?

Maintenance list here...looks like I need to add cam adjust info...http://audirssix.com/index.php/overview/maintenance
(http://audirssix.com/index.php/overview/maintenance)

[SteveKen]

Thanks for the input everyone. Great Forum.

With oil leak nearing Exxon Valdez levels, took the RS to Addict to finally take care of the transmission, oil leak, new intercoolers, O2's, timing belt, and misc. maintenance, along with installing the breaks/pads, MTM TCU chip, and Eurocharged ECU tune I've had stashed away for a while.

No word back yet on where they found the oil leak yet, but once I hear I'll post to the thread.

Can't wait to get the RS back.

You're definitely in good hands with AMD.

[lswing]

Your RMS part just showed up in the FS section if you need it...http://www.rs6.com/showthread.php/33021-New-in-Package-OEM-RS6-rear-main-seal-w-flange-077103171N-NEW-(full-assembly)-RMS

[topcat_92]

Update to Post:
Hey RS6.com, finally getting a chance to post an update on this tread. The oil leak was from a cracked oil line from one of the turbos.

While at Addict, I exercised my check book a little (turned my head and coughed) and took care of a ton of stuff: trans rebuild, torque converter upgrade, replace inter coolers/cracked oil line, timing belt, Addict's ECU tune, MTM TCU chip, control arms, install new disks/pad I had on the shelf, plus an assortment of other 'while it's apart let's replace common wear' items. Assuming I am relatively good for the next 60-75k miles (6+ years at my pace), money well spent.

Through reading posts on this forum for years, most RS6 owners have or will have the debate/decision to make about investing in their RS6 vs. going another path that I did. For me, it started with 'what all-wheel drive can I get for $30k that would be equivalent to my RS after putting +-$10k into it?'. Considered the prior style S6 and S8, but not equivalent. The current S6's $ are too high. BMW x-drives?, just not the same. Too emotionally attached, maybe. Call me crazy, or Crazy Train, but the toothy grin I had hitting the freeway on-ramp was priceless.

[Aronis]

10kPlus, sounds about right.....happy motoring....:)

Mike

[lswing]

I did the $10k refurb a few years back, very happy. Unfortunately I keep doing a $2-5k one every few years after...

[DHall1]

That's great news!

i agree with your thoughts on other potential vehicles. A good well serviced RS6 always wins.



Update to Post:
Hey RS6.com, finally getting a chance to post an update on this tread. The oil leak was from a cracked oil line from one of the turbos.

While at Addict, I exercised my check book a little (turned my head and coughed) and took care of a ton of stuff: trans rebuild, torque converter upgrade, replace inter coolers/cracked oil line, timing belt, Addict's ECU tune, MTM TCU chip, control arms, install new disks/pad I had on the shelf, plus an assortment of other 'while it's apart let's replace common wear' items. Assuming I am relatively good for the next 60-75k miles (6+ years at my pace), money well spent.

Through reading posts on this forum for years, most RS6 owners have or will have the debate/decision to make about investing in their RS6 vs. going another path that I did. For me, it started with 'what all-wheel drive can I get for $30k that would be equivalent to my RS after putting +-$10k into it?'. Considered the prior style S6 and S8, but not equivalent. The current S6's $ are too high. BMW x-drives?, just not the same. Too emotionally attached, maybe. Call me crazy, or Crazy Train, but the toothy grin I had hitting the freeway on-ramp was priceless.

[Aronis]

Mine makes me smile EVERY time I drive it.....the RAW POWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mike

(and no fake sound piped into the cabin it's quiet when I want quiet, unlike my M2 which has a drone......stupid BMW fake sound, much like the Fake News, it's just stupid)

[lswing]

Mine makes me smile EVERY time I drive it.....the RAW POWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mike

(and no fake sound piped into the cabin it's quiet when I want quiet, unlike my M2 which has a drone......stupid BMW fake sound, much like the Fake News, it's just stupid)

Easily worth a few $$$ per year, exactly!!! Plus the quality looks, just a great all around car, comfort, ah.....the rumbling exhaust, turbo boost, dang I need another one of these!

[Aronis]

Worth it....LOL relative ....I am getting new summer tires soon and need to install my new A/C compressor...I have a spreadsheet to track my expenses...yikes the total is crazy....should have gotten a 2003 Civic, it would have still been running, on the original tires and cost me $15,000 total, never require an oil change or new brakes. sure...."Its a Honda!". LOL

Mike

[papadoc]

Yup, driving the RS6 this morning in a downpour in the Bay area, I was thinking about how much $$ I'll have to sink into this in the future. But with the 034 tune, smiles continue. My S6 has all I could ask for in a current ride, but I'll try to get to 200K miles on the beast and love every moment.