Engine Bay Cleanliness

[jwo]

Do people's engine bays look oily dirty around engine block at all? Looking at the tractor yesterday and quite a dark oily/greasy mess on lower half of engine on lhs (whilst sat in car). Is this just age and miles taking it's toll? Car is 03 and has 62k on clock (tdi 130 a4). Coolant and oil are both fine (no contamination etc.). Any thoughts or comparisons appreciated! Cheers

[Avus_Bub]

No problems here, but I'm sure the cam cover gasket is 'misting' a bit at the front. Will keep an eye on it.

Otherwise my engine bay looks like new.

[j1mmy]

Mine is the same. Audi said that it has a slight oil leak but I have not seen that the oil level has dropped. They siad that it's not worth repairing as there is no oil on the ground and not sure they could find it without takling alot of time and money. This is all good and well, but the leak had been noted by them when it was under warrenty and put on the service sheet, they did not attempt to fix it then, and the previous owner did not push (probably due to the same reason they gave to me). I have had a look and it could be leaking from one of the rocker covers (so easy job). Do I kick up a fuss and state that as it was noted when under warrety (i have evidence) and not fixed they should fix it now without charge, or buy a new rocker cover gaskit and DIY?

[j1mmy]

sorry, mines a late 52 plate with 47k and 2.5 TDI

[damocles03]

After my last service in the warranty period, I was advised that I had a leaking rocker cover gasket. I didn't notice anything until I took the plastic engine cover off and then I could see a light film of oil in the area of the cylinder heads. The stealer did it all under warranty and all seems fine now. If it was noted while under warranty then I think they should fix it as it was a pre-existing condition before the warranty ended. Good luck.

[coddy]

I would watch what you do when cleaning the engines. Maybe not so bad with a Diesel but here is what happened to my S4. I have owned countless Escort cosworths, type r Hondas and a glutton of Scooby Doos, all whos engines i cleaned regularly. So. Deciding to clean the engine bay of my S4 i cleaned the engine with gunk, then rinse off with a hose (not a powerwasher). I went for a drive and 15 miles later i could feel the engine running off a cylinder and the engine warning light came on. I had owned the car 2 days, and here it was being taken away on the back off a car transporter. Luckily i removed and dried out all the coil packs and got all the moisture from the plugs. The car had all 8 coilpacks replaced under warrenty. This as i said was a quick rinse with a normal garden hose. I have not ventured to repeat this process since and wont as long as i have Audi's.