BBK valve cover gasket replacement

[mjhamilton]

So on installing my K&N I noticed the line at the bottom of the valve cover was a little moist with oil - at 80k I am assuming the notorious valve covers will need refreshing and I am using slightly more oil with no apparent burning or other issues

I have found the instructions to do this and all looks pretty straight forward, I would just need to take care with the lower back screws and use the right bit
LH - https://skydrive.live.com/view.aspx?cid=EA53332AB160D6FC&resid=EA53332AB160D6FC%213679&app=WordPdf&wdo=1
RH - https://skydrive.live.com/view.aspx?cid=EA53332AB160D6FC&resid=EA53332AB160D6FC%213678&app=WordPdf&wdo=1

I have a few questions before I commence on this journey

1 - At no point does the process mention any requirement for a sealant to be used - is this correct are these things self seal?
2 - Is the best place to get the kits Audi or are there better 3rd party ones out there, there are companies in the US who claim to make more robust kits which I can get when I go there in Feb?
3 - My valve covers look like they are peeling so I guess the insides will be a little grim, do you think I will get away with stripping and spraying myself?

Answers on a postcard please

[mjhamilton]

Ideas anyone?? If not I will just get the gasket sets from audi next week

[mjhamilton]

:(

[mjhamilton]

Ok so I confused the guy at audi who couldn't work out what bits I needed for this job - the system is very confusing and each page contradicts the next

I am off to the US in February on business and can pick up some victor reinz gasket kits for $70+tax all in - this is for the gaskets and all the other seals and parts

The audi kit looks like it is going to be this in ££ so basically twice the price

Anyone had any experience with the reinz kits?? Are they good and a worthy alternative??

[mjhamilton]

So the parts guy came up with a number of £96 for all the bits

Was just arranging to have the Reinz kits delivered to a friend in the US for £45 so I would collect when I get there and then someone told me audi to kits


I specifically asked the parts guy if there was a kit and he went away to check and then said no


Turns out the kits from audi are £60 delivered so will be ordering tomorrow

Go figure


Socialist wants £245 to so the job inc parts so I will have a hash at it myself ;)

Still unsure about whether I need any sealant - the workshop instructions do not mention it at all

[mjhamilton]

so today the Terraclean process clearly showed my oil leak on the drivers side cylinder bank - oil seeping out and smoking off the manifold - have the bits and just need to find the time and inclination :)

[patsyno1]

Hi any update on doing the work ? I need to do the same on my car , do you have the parts list so I can order them from Audi? Cheers

[mjhamilton]

I have had all the parts in the garage for nearly 8 months and moved house - not got around to doing it yet

[mjhamilton]

So finally did this yesterday and no more leaks - very pleased - was a real ball ache, the lower back torx bolts are in a stupid position and required a lot of patience and swatting to remove and install without rounding off - if you round off its game over so the stakes are high

Today I replaced my oil check valves and installed JHM spacers

Took a long time in both jobs but broke nothing and got it all done

My chain rattle is now gone / didn't believe the check valves work work but they have so very happy indeed - I had a few seconds on every start and now have none at all - night and day - all caused by some sticky check valves??? Times will tell

Intake is a good 20 degrees cooler which helps as well with heatsoak

2 good days and enjoyed getting my knuckles scraped

Independent quoted me 5 to 6 hours labour which would have come in at near £500 so well worth having a go myself

Most of the time was spent cleaning - oil leaks everywhere and big build ups needed cleaning off

Changed the plugs as well as I had it all apart - old ones had a perfect colour - looked inside the inlets whilst the manifold was off and everything looked great

Very pleased to see the engine is looking good on the inside at 85k miles

[mjhamilton]

Well after 2 weeks all I have done it nip up the intake bolts as the thermal gasket has settled - nothing has exploded and everything is running sweet

Left the car for 4 day and did a totally cold start and zero chain rattle

I am still amazed and surprised that this had had suck a dramatic effect - a lot cheaper than a chain job

The Bentley manual actually states that the check valves should be replaced at any sign of engine chain rattle so it is curious as to why Audi never followed suit




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[mjhamilton]

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