Most common 3.2 B7 oil leak culprits

[SLCMtnB7_3.2]

So I've recently purchased a 06 3.2 B7 tip (love it!) And I am compiling and prioritizing my to do's. 116k miles, have a slight cold start hesitation (going to clean intake carbon), replace cam follower (if needed) and replace a couple gaskets to get rid of wherever I have a small oil leak. Ft student and married father, haven't had time to really dig Into it and chase it down. Input on likely suspects and gaskets prone to leaking so I can fix and tighten up my engine? There's no 3.2 love here lol, anything I should pay extra attention to? Thanks!

[SLCMtnB7_3.2]

Really? Nobody has a 3.2 experience?.. I have read through hours and hours of the audizine forums, i have searched and never found a definitive answer. specifically I wanted input from who actually drives/ owned a 3.2 fsi. I imagine it will have different tendancies and weak spots than the 2.0 and I'd like a couple pointers before I really just get into it.

[Lb113]

Oh I do! My 2005.5 b7 avant has a small timing chain gasket leak! Went to Audi themselves because all other places recommend that they do cause they're too scared (I dont blame them). Its going to cost me about $4-500. It has a small drip and you need to top it off at least once a month. If you experience smoke coming from your engine bay after a hot day and find oil in your belly pan near the cats thats what it'll be! Hope you don't find any!

[asimaudi]

Rear timing covers , valve covers, power steering hoses, coolant hoses near clamps , oil filter housing gasket to the block.


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[asimaudi]

Anyone have a DIY for the replacement of the oil filter housing ?


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[asimaudi]

?


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[Ryanjayx]

After reading for some time about oil leaks, I was sure that I was going to have to pull my rear covers and reseal them. I spoke to a friend that works at an indie shop here, and he says the 3.2 are even more notorious for leaking at the oil filter housing, where it mates to the block. I ended up pulling my transmission to replace my torque converter, sure enough, it was just the housing gasket. $8 from ECS. Easy when the transmission is pulled, a little more difficult from the top of the engine, but still doable. Hardest part is keeping all the wiring out of your way while you are removing the housing.

[asimaudi]

After reading for some time about oil leaks, I was sure that I was going to have to pull my rear covers and reseal them. I spoke to a friend that works at an indie shop here, and he says the 3.2 are even more notorious for leaking at the oil filter housing, where it mates to the block. I ended up pulling my transmission to replace my torque converter, sure enough, it was just the housing gasket. $8 from ECS. Easy when the transmission is pulled, a little more difficult from the top of the engine, but still doable. Hardest part is keeping all the wiring out of your way while you are removing the housing.

Any pics or related pics with a DIY?


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[Lb113]

Update from three years ago lol, so far Ive replaced all the o-rings (camshaft solenoid, camshaft position sensors) Upper timing chain cover gasket, lower timing chain cover gasket, valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, and resealed the bottom of my rear main (took some high heat silicone gasket maker and shoved her in there real good after cleaning the surface really well) Also my power steering hose leaks, and coolant transfer pipe on bank 1 had the seal go bad and leaked coolant, destroyed the bottom connecting hose and coated the front of my engine in grime. I have 240,000 miles on it and I'm still sinking money into it. These are great cars! and its for sale hmu

[jwmwu]

Update from three years ago lol, so far Ive replaced all the o-rings (camshaft solenoid, camshaft position sensors) Upper timing chain cover gasket, lower timing chain cover gasket, valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, and resealed the bottom of my rear main (took some high heat silicone gasket maker and shoved her in there real good after cleaning the surface really well) Also my power steering hose leaks, and coolant transfer pipe on bank 1 had the seal go bad and leaked coolant, destroyed the bottom connecting hose and coated the front of my engine in grime. I have 240,000 miles on it and I'm still sinking money into it. These are great cars! and its for sale hmu

Hi LB113...

My 06' B7 3.2L Avant (130K mi) is having oil leak from the lower timing cover gasket which is sealed by RTV adhesive from the factory. My local Audi dealer is quoting a $10K and I have an Indi shop here quoting about $2K.
Appreciate if you can help...

1. Is the repair estimate within ball park?
2. This requires dropping the engine...so should I also service the transmission and all other gaskets at the same time?
3. Should I replace the timing chain and the guides since those guides are plastics and have been soaked in oil over the last 12 yrs...? It will be around $4K total if replacing the guides and chain.
4. You mentioned putting RTV silicon adhesive around the RMS (rear main seal). My Indy recommends to change out the RMS gasket but your option is viable if there's no lead from RMS but at this point, we don't know for sure other than the lower Timing cover gasket which is right behind the RMS.

I agree the B7 3.2L is an excellent driver car and I would not sell it unless there's a 3.0T S4 engine in Avant body (UNICORN)...then I may contemplate.

LMK.
Thanks much.

joe

[beefski]

Oh I do! My 2005.5 b7 avant has a small timing chain gasket leak! Went to Audi themselves because all other places recommend that they do cause they're too scared (I dont blame them). Its going to cost me about $4-500. It has a small drip and you need to top it off at least once a month. If you experience smoke coming from your engine bay after a hot day and find oil in your belly pan near the cats thats what it'll be! Hope you don't find any!

I have exactly that issue currently. Did valve cover gaskets, now the timing covers leaking. So having it done along with oil filter housing too. Now all common leaking areas will be done.


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[Lb113]

Hi LB113...

My 06' B7 3.2L Avant (130K mi) is having oil leak from the lower timing cover gasket which is sealed by RTV adhesive from the factory. My local Audi dealer is quoting a $10K and I have an Indi shop here quoting about $2K.
Appreciate if you can help...

1. Is the repair estimate within ball park?
2. This requires dropping the engine...so should I also service the transmission and all other gaskets at the same time?
3. Should I replace the timing chain and the guides since those guides are plastics and have been soaked in oil over the last 12 yrs...? It will be around $4K total if replacing the guides and chain.
4. You mentioned putting RTV silicon adhesive around the RMS (rear main seal). My Indy recommends to change out the RMS gasket but your option is viable if there's no lead from RMS but at this point, we don't know for sure other than the lower Timing cover gasket which is right behind the RMS.

I agree the B7 3.2L is an excellent driver car and I would not sell it unless there's a 3.0T S4 engine in Avant body (UNICORN)...then I may contemplate.

LMK.
Thanks much.

joe

Hey sorry this is a year late let me know how it went. To answer your questions: 1. yea $2,000 to remove the transmission, get behind the upper covers, and remove the large lower cover requires a good amount of labor. Dealership probably wants to replace every nut and bolt, possibly do a timing chain service while they are in there.
2. This does not require dropping the engine, but it's so much easier to do it if you do drop the engine. 3. If the engine has over 100,000 miles, yes replace chain, tensioners, idler gears. 4. If the RMS has oil seepage coming from it when they removed the transmission, change it.

[jonlawniczak]

I would like to add the vacuum pump. I have already replaced the gaskets once and it did not stop the leak so another gasket is on the way. At least it is “easy” to get to.