Valley pan gasket question

[luvsspeed]

Out of curiosity how do most determine if their valley pan gasket need to be replaced?

[pwest15]

Out of curiosity how do most determine if their valley pan gasket need to be replaced?

At least in my case, I couldn't really tell until I pulled it off. I assume some see some oil leaked around the valley pan. Perhaps around where the intake manifold meets the heads. My gasket wasn't in the best shape at all and I was already going to install the ECS check valve service kit which includes a valley pan gasket. It's a fairly good idea to do it even if it's just preventative maintenance. It's one of the cheapest maintenance items you can check off the list, and the new check valves will keep your motor healthy and oiled. Also, it shouldn't take more than a sunday afternoon to complete.

https://www.ecstuning.com/News/Audi_...005/ES2765724/

And here's a link to the ECS DIY guide with pictures. You only need to read until the valves are reinstalled. The rest is a guide for the service position which you don't need for this. It may be a good idea to look over to decide how and when you'd like to do the service if you want to do it yourself.

http://bd8ba3c866c8cbc330ab-7b26c6f3...llation_R1.pdf

[luvsspeed]

At least in my case, I couldn't really tell until I pulled it off. I assume some see some oil leaked around the valley pan. Perhaps around where the intake manifold meets the heads. My gasket wasn't in the best shape at all and I was already going to install the ECS check valve service kit which includes a valley pan gasket. It's a fairly good idea to do it even if it's just preventative maintenance. It's one of the cheapest maintenance items you can check off the list, and the new check valves will keep your motor healthy and oiled. Also, it shouldn't take more than a sunday afternoon to complete.

https://www.ecstuning.com/News/Audi_...005/ES2765724/

And here's a link to the ECS DIY guide with pictures. You only need to read until the valves are reinstalled. The rest is a guide for the service position which you don't need for this. It may be a good idea to look over to decide how and when you'd like to do the service if you want to do it yourself.

http://bd8ba3c866c8cbc330ab-7b26c6f3...llation_R1.pdf

I was thinking about doing the check valve kit just as preventative maintenance, with my valve cover gaskets. Its cheap so why not. I read the diys before and its super simple. I had just been curious about valley gasket for awhile and how most figure out when it needs to be replaced.

[BCsniper]

Just before I bought my recent S4 it had to have the valley pan gasket replaced. Apparently there was oil dripping down the front of the motor from under the Intake Manifold. I made the PO get it replaced before I got the car delivered

[emilio]

if you're going to have the IM off and you have the parts budget, a new valley pan gasket and check valves are some good preventative maintenance. i replaced mine recently and the work wasn't too bad (the gasket was hosed, with crumbling coating around the edges).

i had oil leaking from the valley down the front of the engine, so at first i thought it was the front main seal and replaced that. oil still kept getting around, though, so i used a small mirror to inspect the IM and noticed oil pooling in the sides of the valley. also, if you stand right over the engine and peer down the back of the IM, around where the PCV return goes on one side and where the oil filter housing and SAI vacuum lines are on the other, you might be able to see oil pooling at the rear of the IM.

- emilio

[gautam]

If you're going through the trouble of installing the ECS oil check valve service kit, it may be a good idea to install the JHM intake spacer kit for a few more bucks. It even comes with a video that guides you through the entire process.

[pandapod]

^ what this guy said. I had planned on doing the IM spacers when this whole valley pan gasket / check valve thing came up so i just made it one big job. The how to video from JM was huge.

[Terry.Reese]

I am doing my radiator, check valve kit and spacers all in one big job, wish me luck!

[codyfisher]

Like many others, I did mine with my JHM intake manifold spacers. Not too bad of a job but pull the core support forward first. I did mine without doing that and it sucked when it came to connectors on the manifold. I'm not a mechanic but I can follow a DIY.

[Terry.Reese]

quick question, will the spacers affect placement of the back engine cover?

[badger.]

quick question, will the spacers affect placement of the back engine cover?

no, but you won't be able to reinstall the rear engine lift eyelet bracket thingy

[Terry.Reese]

no, but you won't be able to reinstall the rear engine lift eyelet bracket thingy

not tracking you badger, so in essence you can still not put the engine cover back on?

[gautam]

no, but you won't be able to reinstall the rear engine lift eyelet bracket thingy

The what?

[924Carrera]

The what?

The rear engine lift eye. Used when supporting or removing the engine.

[BCsniper]

This was never an issue for me. I have IM spacers and my lift hook is still in place.

Maybe yours is just bent and needs to be straightened out

[luvsspeed]

If you're going through the trouble of installing the ECS oil check valve service kit, it may be a good idea to install the JHM intake spacer kit for a few more bucks. It even comes with a video that guides you through the entire process.

I didn't even think about that. Can any benefits be seen from the spacers?

[jakeoboy67]

I didn't even think about that. Can any benefits be seen from the spacers?

I can now touch my intake manifold without burning my hand :)

[gautam]

I can now touch my intake manifold without burning my hand :)

@luvsspeed apart from that, it should give a small boost in horse power because it reduces inefficiency within the combustion cycle. Also, my intake manifold cover chipped some paint and I think it was due to mild overheating on a long distance trip, I am hoping to work on my car next weekend and I will be installing the oil check valve kit, intake spacers and switching out the intake manifold cover for a re-painted one.

[gautam]

It may also be a good idea to have a look at this thread, and do the fix if it applies to you. I may not get time to do it all in one day but my intake manifold flap is sticky and squiddy has a good fix for it that does not involve taking the intake manifold out. My symptoms are a noticeable drop in acceleration under 3000 rpm and a faint whooshing noise when I gas it under 2500 rpm, almost like a tiny turbo sitting somewhere in the engine.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...?highlight=diy

[jakeoboy67]

@luvsspeed apart from that, it should give a small boost in horse power because it reduces inefficiency within the combustion cycle. Also, my intake manifold cover chipped some paint and I think it was due to mild overheating on a long distance trip, I am hoping to work on my car next weekend and I will be installing the oil check valve kit, intake spacers and switching out the intake manifold cover for a re-painted one.

lol I meant colder intake air temps , obviously

[gautam]

lol I meant colder intake air temps , obviously

lol my bad!