Inside Valve Cover Paint?

[calebtbay]

2004 S4 Base 150k

I finally got my engine out. Its burning oil like a mother and I just can’t have that. Not a little. A lot. A whole lot. There is black stuff in my cylinders and I am not sure if they are scored yet.

Today my goal was to separate engine and trans and get it on the stand. Since I got done early I decided to take a valve cover off and have a look. Timing has definitely been done. It had a cold start rattle, so maybe I just need to replace the tensioners. The cams and cam lobes look great. No sludge. It actually looks pretty good.

I flip the valve cover over and there’s something flaking off the inside of it. Could that make it to the intake via the PCV? I find it hard to believe that’s a factory coating. I think maybe the dumbass painted both the outside and inside of the valve cover. Have you ever seen this before?







My Cats are good. Thats a relief!

[Rol-co]

Yes
Actually there is an audi service bulletin about the valve cover inside paint coming off and polluting the oil.
Also the valley pan gasket can do this, the black sealant stuff is coming off either and can give problems, the main reason why you must keep the oil clean/fresh.

Start rattle can be checkvalves and even adjusters worn, last is more a clacking. Intake manifold can make some nasty noise too.

Enough to investigate

[calebtbay]

Hey thanks for the additional things to investigate. I guess Ill take the head apart and do the valve seals as well.

Why on earth would they paint the inside of the valve cover? That is so stupid. Nobody sees it. It only causes problems. It serves no purpose. It cost more money. Thats really kind of sad news. That means what hasn’t already come off is going to be a pain to remove since factory put it on there.

It looks like FCP doesn’t have the rings. ECS sucks. Where should I buy parts? Ill go dealer if I need to but Shirley there is a better option.

If anyone has a spare Bentley manual I will buy it.

I do change the oil. I have only got 10k miles. I figured I could solve the oil leaks but after I did I found out it was burning most of what it was losing. If I drive it I will ruin the cats among other things, if it just sits it goes to hell. I have owned it 6+ years haven’t driven it much. Im excited to be able to finally enjoy it. I also can’t sell it in that state.

[Rol-co]

Hey thanks for the additional things to investigate. I guess Ill take the head apart and do the valve seals as well.

Why on earth would they paint the inside of the valve cover? That is so stupid. Nobody sees it. It only causes problems. It serves no purpose. It cost more money. Thats really kind of sad news. That means what hasn’t already come off is going to be a pain to remove since factory put it on there.

They do it because of condensation the cover will be corroded after a while.
Just sandblast it and paint again (outside) , i did the same and leave the inside without anything, we'll see how long this will last.




Gasket set (with rings)

I do change the oil. I have only got 10k miles. I figured I could solve the oil leaks but after I did I found out it was burning most of what it was losing. If I drive it I will ruin the cats among other things, if it just sits it goes to hell. I have owned it 6+ years haven’t driven it much. Im excited to be able to finally enjoy it. I also can’t sell it in that state.

Oil change should be more frequent, i do every 10k km (about 7k miles)