Tracking down oil leaks while engine is out for stage 3...

**jibberjive** · 09-22-2008 11:57 PM

So I decided to keep my car and go stage 3

Anywho, when I was under it the other day I noticed a light coat of dirty oil on some parts underneath (tranny and a couple other places). I assume this is normal seepage for the the Audi cause I had my mechanic look over the entire car and questioned him specifically about the oil and he wasn't concerned at all (really good indy).

I'm going to have the engine out to go stage 3 pretty soon and I was thinking that maybe I should clean the crap out of everything underneath and above the best I can and drive like 1k mi before pulling it so that when I pull everything I can possibly see where the newer oil is coming from.

Another thought is to wait until everything is out so it's easier to clean very thoroughly, then after a few thousand miles with it in look for the leak (but then I'd have to possibly replace something that would have been way easier with the engine out, on the other hand there might not even be a noticable leak after a few thousand because I don't even know if there's anything really wrong).

I've also heard about putting dye in the oil or other fluids so that you can track down the leak. Should I do that along with one of the above, or is that just overkill when nothing is likely wrong? And what fluids would I want to put the dye into?

**AMC** · 09-23-2008 01:09 AM

i just waited till i pulled the motor and found out where i was leaking, my rear crank seal was leaking (something you cant see). idk it depends, take some brake parts cleaner, clean the bottom wher u see oil and rive it for a day or so and check to see where its comming from if u cant determin where its from just pull the motor and find out since your doing k04's anyways. goodluck man and good to hear your not selling the s!

**highPSI-S4** · 09-23-2008 04:39 AM

Funny how this came up cause i'm looking to go stage 3 around the new year and i saw some places where it seems to be leaking oil also.

I was going to wait till i pull the motor and see where/what it might be if i can. That way i can fix it before i put it together and it will be nice and clean after the install.

**KompMan420** · 09-23-2008 06:25 AM

You should do both. Clean it the best you can before AND clean it really good while it's out. Don't forget to pressure wash the engine bay once it's emptied.