Camberley Service and Warranty work - Oil Leak

[dch1n]

Hi,

Just thought I'd share and maybe get some opinions on my current situation.

After the last service, looks like there's a oil leak from the "rear main oil seal area". I still have warranty on the car but in order to see if the warranty covers it, they say they will have to lift the engine and gearbox out. If it's the Rear Main Seal or the Bell Housing Bolt, then I'm covered by the warranty and I just pay the £250 excess. If not, then it's a £4k+ price tag (30 hour job).

I had a similar issue with the electrics where if it's the loom, then I'm covered, if not, then I have to pay the full whack... which I had to do as the car stays immobile otherwise but in the end, it was the loom and warranty covered it. This time, it's just a small leak and could possibly wait as I potentially wanted to get some work done to it as soon as the warranty runs out and can do it then.

I did a search and can see that these leaks are common but I was wondering, has anyone experienced this before and was it anything but the above 2 problems? I'm willing to take a punt if no one's experienced anything other that the 2 covered items.

Appreciate it.

Dan

(Car's going in this week either way so will let you know how it goes)

[Mɐʇʇ]

How many miles? Original gearbox & turbos?

[gars7]

Dan, if this is the seal on the oil pan, I had that issue on my 2004 S4 Avant at 106k miles.

[mik15]

i had a very slight leak on my previous C5 exactly from the same area, between the engine and gearbox and by the smell and looks of it it seemed to be coming from the rear main seal and not from the gearbox, however it was so little that i would never find any spots under the car and it would only get a bit worse if the car remained parked for weeks, if driven regularly it would be bone dry, as i said, i wasn't too bothered about it, the car had 150k miles and that particular gasket had been replaced by the Audi dealer at around 100k miles...

[dch1n]

100k+ and with original turbos and gearbox iirc but all was on warranty, so if there were any problems, it would have been sorted.

I spoke to the Warranty guys and said that this is procedure, they charge for a diagnostic check to source the problem, then if covered by warranty, then fine, otherwise cost out of my pocket, although he did say it's only the seal and bolt that are the issues for that leak down there, anything else (gaskets etc) would usually be higher up and could be found without lifting everything out... I'm going to have a word with Audi when I bring it in. So much for this peace of mind warranty, should have put the money into my peace of mind slush fund

... but thanks for the feedback so far

[Nobby]

Can they not stick a borescope up through the bellhousing to see if the oil is coming out from behind the flex plate?

[dch1n]

Ok, the car went in on 07/05/15 for a weeks worth of work, that was for the oil leak (under warranty) and engine mounts. The day before I was to pick it up, I call them to confirm that it's ready but they tell that there's no way as the engine is still out. Lucky I called?

They tell me that as they took the engine out, the Gearbox Flange Oil seal (£387, + VAT on top), Cam Cover Gasket (£138) and Gearbox Sump gaskets (£363) needed replacing. While it's out, they advice the cam to be done (£882), iirc, there's another 20k left of it before it needs to be be looked at.

All in all, they're quoting me £3k+ (inc VAT). They said that these items are not under warranty (which I didn't think that the were) but eitherway, it's steep for something that was only going in for £600 odd (the engine mounts). The car's been well maintained and not had any issues esp. while Rob at Camberley was still around. Has any one had any issues there recently? I've also had issues with them on several occasions regarding the courtesy car but that's another story (and this is not a rant, I just need some more info with these problems before I decide what to do).

I've asked for photos to show the wear on the items to be replaced. I mean, if they show considerable wear, then fine but if not, then why do they need to be done now and not advised when it was in for service (which was done during Christmas). I'm no mechanic, so it's difficult for me to let go of £3k without knowing more.

I've attached the quote and some pics:

http://www.viewdocsonline.com/document/v0g2zi

https://flic.kr/p/tkpC36

https://flic.kr/p/sow2mv

Any advice or experiences would be hugely appreciated.

Dan

[Mr V10]

Just take it to Jack Barclay Audi in Wandsworth, speak to the master tech Adam or service manager, Chris. No messing about, they'll get it sorted.

[chunky79]

Just take it to Jack Barclay Audi

Just the engine or the whole car?

[Daveperc]

I'm afraid moans about Camberley are on the increase, and are probably well founded. Two things I think have happened - first is the departure of Rob and Stuart who really understood the cars, and secondly the volume of C5's there has fallen markedly so the newer techs don't get much practice. They are also now part of a bigger more hard nosed group - for example all my loyalty programme benefits seem to have disappeared.

With regard to the specifics on your list below: TBH seals and gaskets on a 10+ year old engine were probably ripe for a change, and doing the cambelt whilst the engine is out seems sensible as it won't add much to the bill. I'd check back on here for some of the more recent "engine out" threads to see if there is anything else recommended.

The error was taking it to an Audi dealer with labour around £120/hour rather than one of the specialists at something like 2/3 that rate - for a big job you're best off with the specialists these days.

Dave

[Mɐʇʇ]

The cam cover gaskets are 36.93+VAT per side - so they're quoting you half an hour to remove, clean everything up & refit them. Seems fair.

Gearbox - if it's leaking, that is drain, sump off, cleanup, new filter, new gasket, refit, and then refill. Just the refill takes an hour - the oil aint cheap either and it'll need between 5 and 9 litres of it.

Cambelt (I assume you meant the cambelt, not the actual camshafts?). Just a belt from audi is 67.77+VAT I think, ignoring all the pulleys & the water pump - and it's lock carrier at least in service position to do it (quoted as a 9 hour job end to end if the car is all together, I think). So if it's most of the way through it's service life, it's as well to do it now because it'll be at twice that once the cars back together.

So what they're quoting for parts and time seems reasonable IMVHO, and the pics back up their recommendations - just a question of paying main dealer labour price, which feels a bit rich, but shouldn't be a surprise (I buy all my parts from them and FWIW, the parts department service is always first class). I don't see much cause to complain - in fact, I'd say they've been pretty diligent in advising you of items worth doing while it's apart. e.g. RHS Rocker cover gasket is a right fkkn ballache to do with the motor in - the official guide says it's motor out, but it's "just" possible with it in. You'd be peeved if they put the motor back in and left the oil leaks as they are without consulting with you first.

Gearbox flange - no idea if even possible with the motor in, but it'll be a bitch to do - you'd at least want to drop the arse end of the subframe down. But if it's original box with over 60K on it, you'll be having it all back out in about 30K.

If it were me, I'd "at least" do the rocker cover gaskets now and take a view on the rest of it. Gearbox sump is no more difficult engine in vs out.
Cambelt - 50/50 call.

Just my humble opinion.

[R1RS4]

I have used Camberley about 5 or 6 times over the 19 months I have had my car and have found them pretty good at what they have done and fair

I again have lost the discount Colbornes offered to Audi customers now they are part of the Lookers group

But since the change I put my car in for a red light fault with the TPMS system that would not reset with vcd's they gave me a A6 for the day which I did 450 miles in, they changed me £50 for the job including VAT

This week I called in to chance my arm on the Audi warranty for corrosion to the front door blades, leave it with us this was Friday and we will call you next week with an answer

They called me this Monday ie 1 working day later, said Audi UK would not cover it because it's not part of the body work, so Camberley offered to put 50% to the cost of replacement of both front door blades and painted, result and fair

My car is 8 years old so bits will need doing, I suppose it's trying to keep on top of things before these big jobs mount up

[dch1n]

Thanks for all your replies, they were a great help.

I spoke to Chris @ JB and was a great help. He seemed to know his stuff and very knowledgeable. He's going to check the quote over and see what he could have done, what he would have claimed from the warranty and what he would have charged me.

I also spoke to Dave @ Audi Warranty. He said that the items I'm being charged for were not approved/ reimbursed by them as they were not required for the engine removal. So looks like they are charging me for repairs that they're advising. None of these items were on my December service notes.

I will see what Chris says.

Thanks again.

[bilko1]

The gearbox output seal is quite a simple job with the engine in, been there done that. There is a modified flange and seal though which will bump the price up.