Oil leak from up behind filter

[naiku]

Last weekend while changing the oil I noticed that some oil had leaked out and over the filter, cleaned things up, changed the oil and left things. Today was the first day I really drove the car, so when I got home I put the hood up and took a look. Sure enough, oil is leaking, but from where?

It looks like it is leaking from somewhere above and behind where the filter screws onto the block. I can't see the source of the oil either from above, or below the car. Any ideas on what it could be? it looks like fixing anything in that area is going to be a pain in the ass due to the amount of stuff in the way.

Thanks.

[V2Rider]

Last weekend while changing the oil I noticed that some oil had leaked out and over the filter, cleaned things up, changed the oil and left things. Today was the first day I really drove the car, so when I got home I put the hood up and took a look. Sure enough, oil is leaking, but from where?

It looks like it is leaking from somewhere above and behind where the filter screws onto the block. I can't see the source of the oil either from above, or below the car. Any ideas on what it could be? it looks like fixing anything in that area is going to be a pain in the ass due to the amount of stuff in the way.

Thanks.

Valve Cover Gasket
Just a thought

[sa_seahawker]

I think the oil pressure sensor screws in around there. Check for oil pressure leaks.

[naiku]

Valve Cover Gasket
Just a thought

From what I can see, the oil is leaking out from lower than the valve cover gasket, could be wrong though.

I think the oil pressure sensor screws in around there. Check for oil pressure leaks.

Any pictures on where the sensor is located?

[AKO]

Check to see its not from the nipple on the bottom of the filter housing

[sa_seahawker]

I think on the 2.0 motors it screws into the top of the oil filter adapter. I know on the 1.8s it screws into the side from the rear. Look for a piece screwed in with an electrical connector on the end.

If you get a chance to test the oil pressure, it should be about 15 at idle and peak at 51-65 when motor is at 3k rpm.

[naiku]

Took a quick look/feel last night and I think it is coming from the oil cooler area. Running my hand along the bottom of the cooler I can feel fresh oil.

Having a tough time finding replacement instructions though if that is the culprit.

[mcbuck]

There are 2 gaskets - one where the oil cooler mounts to the oil filter housing and one where the oil filter housing mounts to the block. The gaskets are cheap but the actual replacement was one of the few things I have done that I did not enjoy. I looked for quite a while and you are right, there is very little out there in the way of DIY- I prob should have done one as I did replaced both last weekend.

Best I can tell you, just start removing things until you have enough out of the way to get to it. An extendable mirror is a must.

[Axis]

Gaskets of the oil filter adapter, if so change the whole thing. Its a Pita btw

[Mike@PureMS]

I've seen on a couple of occasions where the actual housing is cracked as well. While you can change just the gaskets to it, if you can't obviously point to where the leak is coming from, you may want to change the entire housing. It isn't a job you want to have to do twice.

[naiku]

Gaskets of the oil filter adapter, if so change the whole thing. Its a Pita btw

Have you changed one out before? any ideas on where to start? I am going to try and check the oil pressure today, and get it up on ramps to see if I can at least figure out where the oil is coming from. From the sounds of things this job will suck either way, at least its not leaking much (never dripped any on the floor). I may end up taking it to a shop to replace the part if its as annoying as it appears to be.

Found this video for removal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qip4_UYldrQ

Not yet watched the replacement video though, but just watching this, it looks like one of those annoying jobs.

[Khaotic]

If you are comfortable with taking the manifold off, it will give you plenty more space and might aswell do some carbon cleaning at the same time!
I also noticed a very small leak from the same place, changed only my filter housing before it went into winter storage so I havent checked if that stopped the leak.. Otherwise Im also doing this very soon.

[naiku]

If you are comfortable with taking the manifold off, it will give you plenty more space and might aswell do some carbon cleaning at the same time!
I also noticed a very small leak from the same place, changed only my filter housing before it went into winter storage so I havent checked if that stopped the leak.. Otherwise Im also doing this very soon.

Carbon cleaning at the same time is not a bad idea... I took it to my wife's uncle earlier to take a look (far more mechanically minded than I am, and likely with all the tools we would need and more), and he thinks we should be able to change it out without too many problems. I am leaning towards replacing the entire housing, although I am sure it probably costs a small fortune given that the oil filter housing itself is $100 for the little plastic piece the filter sits in.

[Axis]

Carbon cleaning at the same time is not a bad idea... I took it to my wife's uncle earlier to take a look (far more mechanically minded than I am, and likely with all the tools we would need and more), and he thinks we should be able to change it out without too many problems. I am leaning towards replacing the entire housing, although I am sure it probably costs a small fortune given that the oil filter housing itself is $100 for the little plastic piece the filter sits in.

The part was 200$ iirc. I had it done because I didnt have access to a garage at that point, but I passed it on a third party insurance and paid the deductible which was 200$ (As if I would of paid for the part but had the labor and oil change for free)

I spoke with a friend who only replaced the gaskets but ended up having to do it again because it was still leaking. IMO you<re better off changing adapter and gaskets.

[naiku]

Definitely planning no replacing the whole thing, $175 from GAP, and it includes all the seals, new filter housing etc. Sometime next weekend I will get it up on ramps and check if it is coming from the sensor, but I am leaning towards it being the gasket. Thankfully it really is leaking pretty minimally, and I typically only drive it 3 times a week, as I won't have any time until after Easter to really do much with it.

[xander3zero]

Definitely planning no replacing the whole thing, $175 from GAP, and it includes all the seals, new filter housing etc. Sometime next weekend I will get it up on ramps and check if it is coming from the sensor, but I am leaning towards it being the gasket. Thankfully it really is leaking pretty minimally, and I typically only drive it 3 times a week, as I won't have any time until after Easter to really do much with it.

did you ever get around to this, or are you still waiting till after easter? or did you at least order the part from GAP yet? i see the part on ECS tuning for like 220 with the new seals, and also on Europa for about 200, and then on GAP for 171, but im curious if GAP includes the new gaskets or not since they dont have a part description at all...

[naiku]

did you ever get around to this, or are you still waiting till after easter? or did you at least order the part from GAP yet? i see the part on ECS tuning for like 220 with the new seals, and also on Europa for about 200, and then on GAP for 171, but im curious if GAP includes the new gaskets or not since they dont have a part description at all...

Not done anything yet, and randomly not noticing any oil leaking any more. It's odd as there was oil there the day I changed the oil, wiped it off, and the next day saw oil there again, wiped it off and in a week of driving not seen any additional oil. Going to keep an eye on it and decide what to do if it leaks any oil again.

If you look on GAP though, underneath the listing for the oil filter housing itself, it lists the seals and says "PARTS: Part included with filter case" It's item 25 and all the parts included here:

"http://genuineaudiparts.com/parts/2006/Audi/A4%20Quattro/Avant?siteid=214407&vehicleid=187332&diagram=13982 95&diagramCallOut=29

[xander3zero]

Not done anything yet, and randomly not noticing any oil leaking any more. It's odd as there was oil there the day I changed the oil, wiped it off, and the next day saw oil there again, wiped it off and in a week of driving not seen any additional oil. Going to keep an eye on it and decide what to do if it leaks any oil again.

If you look on GAP though, underneath the listing for the oil filter housing itself, it lists the seals and says "PARTS: Part included with filter case" It's item 25 and all the parts included here:

"http://genuineaudiparts.com/parts/2006/Audi/A4%20Quattro/Avant?siteid=214407&vehicleid=187332&diagram=13982 95&diagramCallOut=29

Thanks for pointing that out

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[aluthman]

I just noticed an oil leak with my car. It is coming from the housing area, but I'm not sure on the exact location. I just did an oil change about a week ago, so I'm hoping it is just a pinched seal or something. I'm going to take the filter housing off and look around to see if I can see anything out of place. Hopefully I don't have to drain too much oil to do it.

[xander3zero]

I just noticed an oil leak with my car. It is coming from the housing area, but I'm not sure on the exact location. I just did an oil change about a week ago, so I'm hoping it is just a pinched seal or something. I'm going to take the filter housing off and look around to see if I can see anything out of place. Hopefully I don't have to drain too much oil to do it.

im chasing a similar oil leak...noticed oil on my skidplate (not alot but after a little while it was clear to see) so i did an oil change and hoped i had a pinched seal as well...then noticed during that oil change that my filter housing's drain valve at the bottom wasnt sealing well and was leaking...so ordered ECS aluminum housing and drained just the filter oil (not alot is drained during this so you wont have to top up much at all). now still noticed some oil leakage around the main filter housing so im started to think i should buy the full assembly from GAP for $175 bucks and make the swap

[AKO]

im chasing a similar oil leak...noticed oil on my skidplate (not alot but after a little while it was clear to see) so i did an oil change and hoped i had a pinched seal as well...then noticed during that oil change that my filter housing's drain valve at the bottom wasnt sealing well and was leaking...so ordered ECS aluminum housing and drained just the filter oil (not alot is drained during this so you wont have to top up much at all). now still noticed some oil leakage around the main filter housing so im started to think i should buy the full assembly from GAP for $175 bucks and make the swap

My issue was completely solved with the ECS housing. You would be surprised but when you start your car, that valve leaks like a river. No joke

[aluthman]

My leak is coming from the threaded portion of the housing or the adapter itself. The drain valve isn't an issue on mine.

[naiku]

My leak is coming from the threaded portion of the housing or the adapter itself. The drain valve isn't an issue on mine.

Same here, just weird that it has apparently stopped leaking. I drove 120+ miles yesterday, so going to check again later today and see if any dripped down.

Edit: Just went and checked, wiped all around underneath with a paper towel and nothing. The only place I could get any noticeable amount of oil, was up from where it appeared to be leaking at the top of the filter, even that was barely anything though. I may switch to the ECS housing, but for now will just keep an eye on it, and if it keeps leaking look at replacing the housing.

[aluthman]

I wiped mine clean and after a 30 minute drive, it was wet with oil again. I've lost about half a quart in roughly a week. I just noticed it after the last oil change, so I'm hoping that unscrewing and reseating the housing fixes it.

[chris@fifteen52]

I just replaced the plastic filter canister. After 200k the nipple finally had no spring left. I always kept a spare around because if that plastic piece ever broke during an oil change the car is stuck until you get a new one.

[AKO]

I wiped mine clean and after a 30 minute drive, it was wet with oil again. I've lost about half a quart in roughly a week. I just noticed it after the last oil change, so I'm hoping that unscrewing and reseating the housing fixes it.

Maybe you over tightened it and it cracked?!?!

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[vvenom800tt]

This is why i bought the ecs aluminum filter housing

[xander3zero]

i had leaking oil from the valve nipple...the ECS aluminum housing solved that...but now i am still feeling fresh from under the housing and im thinking its coming from where the housing mounts to the block but its so hard to tell...so annoyed with this oil leak even though its so small i havent even had to top up on oil much at all. i feel like the threading on the top part of my housing isnt sealing well because the ECS aluminum housing is still leaking from the threaded portion even though i seated the new oil filter seal correctly and torqued it properly...might be replacing the whole housing

[vvenom800tt]

Cant you convert to the old style the B6 had with the normal style filter.

[saizero]

You could use a dye and a black light to find the source, but I'm sure you're leaking from either between the block and the oil housing or the oil housing and the oil cooler. It seem everyone is either having a coolant flange leak or a oil leak, and then there is me who has both...

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[aluthman]

Maybe you over tightened it and it cracked?!?!

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This is certainly a possibility. I'll find out this weekend when I take it off and look.

[Spridle]

Looks like I'm having the same issues. I'm in there to do the timing belt and there is a puddle on the block below the housing. The filter housing looks pretty soaked too so it may be leaking multiple places. Fun Fun.

[vvenom800tt]

If you have to get a new housing you might as well get the ECS aluminum one, its cheaper than the stock one.

[Spridle]

It looks like the BP oil spill in there. I need to clean it all up first and see where it's coming from. As much of a pain as it is I'm still likely to try a seal kit first for the housing to the block. As for filter can itself I'm still not really understanding what the cap on the bottom is for or what the nipple being referred to is. Again, I've only had the car two weeks so I'm still coming up to speed on this one.

I've got a spray pattern on the passenger side as well and a small leak around the intake cam in the timing belt area.

[vvenom800tt]

the cap is for the specialty oil drain tool. you can get it online.

[yeoj112689]

I didn't read all of the posts but I had something similar and it ended up being my intake hose popped off the side intercooler there but it was not a ton of oil so suppose it depends on how much you are saying. I do not think this is your issue but I suppose it would not hurt anything if you looked into it.

[Spridle]

I didn't read all of the posts but I had something similar and it ended up being my intake hose popped off the side intercooler there but it was not a ton of oil so suppose it depends on how much you are saying. I do not think this is your issue but I suppose it would not hurt anything if you looked into it.

I'm always sort of terrified by the amount of oil that comes out when you open up the inter cooler hose. I'm not sure what normal is but my B5 always had a ton of oil in there and 180K chipped was still pulling strong.

[yeoj112689]

I'm always sort of terrified by the amount of oil that comes out when you open up the inter cooler hose. I'm not sure what normal is but my B5 always had a ton of oil in there and 180K chipped was still pulling strong.

I suppose it depends on how much you consider a lot. My old car didn't have a ton in there but once in a while it would gather (had a FMIC) but this car seems to have a bit more. I would say about 1/8th of a cup when I pulled it and that was the first time I pulled it but who knows how much truly was in there because it was leaking out due to my clip coming lose off of the intercooler.

The reason i brought it up was because the way it was leaking it was all over and around the oil filter housing but not high up near the valve cover. The first thing i thought when i saw the oil was shit, my valve cover or the oil filter housing just as the people in the this thread suggested but I was lucky and i hope you are as well! lol let us know

[Spridle]

Ah. no that hose was dry and tight, until I undid it that is. I'm going to put a web cam on the Toughbook later to get a closer look at some of these things.

[mcbuck]

Had the same problem with the oil leak and it being damn near impossible to pinpoint other than the filter housing/oil cooler area. Replaced both gaskets and its dry as a bone 10k miles later.