Valve cover gasket replacement

[roarf]

I have a slight oil leak from one of my valve cover gaskets and so I am planning to replace those soon. Looks like it should be pretty straightforward, but I just wanted to ask a few questions before I order parts.

-Is there anything else I should think about replacing while I'm in there? Anything that will be easily accessible with the valve covers off.. sensors, etc.
-Are there any spots that need RTV?
-Is there a specific tightening sequence for the valve cover screws? Any torque spec or just snug them down?
-Any other tips I should be aware of?

Any help is appreciated.

[VinnysS4]

Buy the absolute smallest ratchet you can to get the rear valve cover bolts out. Audi actually developed a ratchet just for this. I have a cheap knock off that works great. Without it... it's dooable....but you'll hate yourself. Lol.
If you can find replacement valve cover bolts, spring for the set. They tend to leak over time.
Black RTV around the half moon seals front and back
Spark plugs, coil packs.... they have to come of anyways. If they are due, take advantage of it.
I've seen the tightening sequence - torque spec online. Forget where. You basically start in the middle and work your way to the outside of each coveroom. Same as any other basic valve cover iirc.
Good luck :)

[ven0m]

OP, are you having a slight leak on the driver side close to the firewall? The driver side cover was completely updated so might as well get the updated valve cover if you don't have it already + the new gasket that comes with it.

Side-question: what is RTV?

Here is a side-by-side comparison made by koolade9; look at the far right of both covers and you'll see the difference at the last spark-plug o-ring.

[roarf]

ven0m - the leak is actually from the bank 1 cover, in the area circled in the pic below. There is also light weeping around the perimeter of the valve cover in general. I believe since my car is a 09/07 build it already has the updated bank 2 valve cover, but the part number is hard to see without removing it, so I couldn't confirm. No leakage at all from that area though. RTV is a paste that dries rubbery and fills in any tiny gaps where a gasket seats. Useful for valve covers if there is a seam between cylinder head and timing chain cover, for example.

Vinny - It looks like the frontmost and rearmost lower screws on the passenger side cover will be the toughest to get at. I'll see if I can scrounge up a tiny ratchet for those. I will get new bolts since they have an integral seal. I replaced my coils and plugs about a year and a half ago, so I should be good there. Tightening sequence sounds about right, my other car is the same way.

Thanks guys.

[ven0m]

Ah ok, that's a completely different location.

Regarding the screws, maybe get a sunk-ratchet like Wera offers. I got this when I was doing the carbon clean to reach the bolts at the back of the engine in-between the firewall.

[roarf]

Well now it looks like the oil might be seeping out around the HPFP. It was noticeable immediately after going for a spirited drive. Looking at the ETKA I see there is an o-ring that seals the HPFP to the cylinder head that could be replaced. Looks like it's just 3 bolts but the whole high pressure fuel thing concerns me a little. Is there a DIY for HPFP removal out there? Not sure if I could just unbolt it and lift it up enough to swap the o-ring out, or if I'd have to mess with the fuel lines going into it...