Oil leak continues

[steve2003rs6]

Lander many thanks for the detailed p m. And photos.
Unless grizz tells me otherwise.
Will discuss with unit 20 today.
Replacing the cam cover seals and the plastic plugs at the rear of the covers seems to be the next course of action.
Will attempt to get it booked in ASAP.

Might have the cam belt done during this visit.

Was out in the car all day yesterday. In stationary traffic such as traffic lights , I did notice a weird whiff every now and again. Have had this before. But I have dismissed this and put it down to fumes from the exhaust of the vehicle in front of me. Usually when a diesel vehicle has been in front and the traffic is bumper to bumper.
Only happens In stationary or very slow moving traffic.
So I really do think you are on the right track with my problem
Many thanks again for your advice.

[Lander91]

No worries Steve, fingers crossed because they're easy fixes.

[steve2003rs6]

Lander. If I have the cam cover gaskets replaced I presume the plastic plugs can be done while the covers are off.
Eg much easier access if the plastic plugs are located on the cover.
Thanks again mate.

[Shoppinit]

Was out in the car all day yesterday. In stationary traffic such as traffic lights , I did notice a weird whiff every now and again. Have had this before. But I have dismissed this and put it down to fumes from the exhaust of the vehicle in front of me. Usually when a diesel vehicle has been in front and the traffic is bumper to bumper.

Maybe your air quality sensor isn't working. They only have a relatively short life span.

[steve2003rs6]

Hi Ben. I replaced that sensor a few months ago.
Also replaced the plastic filter surround and seal as the sensor holder was broken and the filter retaining clasp was broken.
This was done while the windscreen was out as there is a bitch of a hidden bolt at the rear.

Had a hvac error code on auto scan. Cleared after replacing the sensor. And still clear.

[steve2003rs6]

I do think I have been very unlucky and obtained several leaks at the same time.
Just got to work through them one at a time.
It’s been made more difficult as on test and in the air everything was dry
Was ok for 5 days then started again.
So the leak is taking its time to accumulate followed by a slow drip.
Suz. As you said. It’s a sneaky bastard.

[steve2003rs6]

Spoke to grizz.
Discussed all the above scenarios with him.
He says no to all of them.
Thinking that it will be the near side turbo oil feed pipe on the top of the turbo.
He is going to look and see if this can be done in situ.
Otherwise it’s a engine out job.
Will contact me later to advise the outcome of his findings.
Fingers crossed.

[Lander91]

Steve, yes easier to replace with the vc off but not by much. To make life easier when removing the vc the SAI valve can come off, not hard. This in turn is what allows for better access, though I found it necessary to also unbolt the SAI pipe that feeds into the head, this pipe stays loose as I couldn't remove it with removing the bastard coolant pipe. There are gaskets at each end of this pipe that can be loose/free once it's unbolted, I dropped one while taking out the last allen bolt, never to be seen again, they're still available luckily.
All this guff is bloody fiddly, working by feel, tongue stuck out the side of the mouth work. Not good for the back either.
To get the cam plugs out they're punctuated (carefully) with a flat head and levered out, new ones are pryed back in (as per ELSA).

[steve2003rs6]

Hi lander. See my message just above yours.
Keeping my fingers crossed for access to the nearside turbo oil feed pipe.
However with my luck just lately I fear it will be engine out.
Apparently the o rings on pipe are suspect for my problem.
Makes sense due to the location of the leak.
Oil then runs down the turbo oil drain pipe.
I Suggested cam cover seals and Cam cover plugs.
I have been informed that these were inspected at my last visit. Grizz has ruled them out of the equation.
Saga continues.

On the positive side. No leaks on the offside. So the oil filter sandwich plate seal was a success.

[steve2003rs6]

Spoke to grizz yesterday. Looks like nearside turbo oil feed pipe is the best guess. But won’t know for certain until a whole bunch of stuff is removed. Hopefully not engine out job.
But will need the car for at least 2 days.

With all the recent expense. Will have to wait a while. Although it isn’t a bad leak, it needs sorting now I know it’s there.
Just checked my oil levels this morning. Levels still at maximum.
Also did auto scan yesterday with my new Ross tech cable. All as expected.
My original (as new) cable “disappeared” after my other half has been tidying the cupboards????????
Hopefully it will turn up sometime.

[Shoppinit]

Why don't you get a cheap endoscope to snake up and find the leak source? At the very least, it'll keep you from strangling your wife for a couple of hours.

[steve2003rs6]

Good info Ben. Worth a try. Srichards mentioned this a while back. Thought it would be too expensive for hardly ever using it.
Any idea of cost for a reasonable quality one ?

[srichards]

The draper one I got was under £35. Got it from toolstation.

[Shoppinit]

There are 3 types:

- built in screen
- USB connection to PC or android phone
- Wifi connection for phone which requires an app

The USB ones can be very cheap. There are some on Amazon for less than £10. I've got one of these. Used it recently to find a blockage in my sewage pipe.

I've also got a Snap-On system with built-in screen. That was pricey.

This seems like a good price for a proper brand:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bosch-Universa ... B073S65LRP

Only 1m long but that should be plenty for use on a car. Don't think my Snap-On is longer than that, thinking about it.

I don't like the idea of the ones where you require an app. If they pull the app from the store then you're camera is junk.

[steve2003rs6]

Just ordered one on Amazon. Arrives Monday.
Thank you.
Will have a good look all over the 6.