Head gasket

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Oh no I agree - I've seen plenty HGF's but never two on the same engine in the same way at the same time!

[Batfinnk]

Plus without sounding over confident how often do you hear of any of these V8's with blown headgaskets?

[jamieboy18]

I'm not sure what gasket was replaced at the inlet manifold, this is one i need to ask about, but it seems it was a gasket in the centre of the V.

The oil was being topped up around a litre or two every 1000 miles. I know this is not excessive for this engine, but i had a couple of extra drips on the driveway each morning when i got into the car. And the underside was kind of caked.

Is there anyway to check the leak is definitely the head gaskets before i give them the go ahead to change at 3600GBP - yep you read that right.

[Batfinnk]

Are you sure it was engine oil under the car on the floor? That consumption sounds about normal tbh. I would get a second opinion before letting them touch a thing on it again. Is MRC or Unit20 anywhere near you. Might be worth giving either of them a call and have a chat with them.

[jamieboy18]

i really want a second opinion and have booked it in at a great independent that i should have used in the first place. Thing is i am in to this dealer for 1100 for the initial gasket change and i really don't think i should pay it because they haven't fixed the problem, in fact i think they replaced something that was absolutely fine. They have offered to knock this labour charge off the head gasket change, but it would still be another 2600 quid!!

[jamieboy18]

if it wasn't engine oil what would it be? transmission fluid?? surely that would be low by now if if was the case?

[Batfinnk]

Let us know what the inde says as to what it could be. I'm sure the Audi dealer will argue that although the parts fitted did not completely repair the leak there is no way of proving they were not required anyway.

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Let us know what the inde says as to what it could be. I'm sure the Audi dealer will argue that although the parts fitted did not completely repair the leak there is no way of proving they were not required anyway.

Apart from the fact that they replaced a gasket not in any way whatsoever connected with the oil system to repair an apparent oil leak.

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i really want a second opinion and have booked it in at a great independent that i should have used in the first place. Thing is i am in to this dealer for 1100 for the initial gasket change and i really don't think i should pay it because they haven't fixed the problem, in fact i think they replaced something that was absolutely fine. They have offered to knock this labour charge off the head gasket change, but it would still be another 2600 quid!!

Need to get a print out of the invoice and the part numbers used.

[Batfinnk]

Let us know what the inde says as to what it could be. I'm sure the Audi dealer will argue that although the parts fitted did not completely repair the leak there is no way of proving they were not required anyway.

Apart from the fact that they replaced a gasket not in any way whatsoever connected with the oil system to repair an apparent oil leak.

I forgot about that one. I was referring more to the rocker gaskets.

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If you are getting drips and the underside is caked I'd be really tempted to check the oil cooler lines.

Take the undertray off and let the engine run and see what happens.
One to two litres in 1000 miles is quite high.

[Batfinnk]

Does the S suffer the same as the RS for the oil cooler problem? I though it had a less problematic and simpler layout ads?

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An good point - I forget that. I don't think it has a front mounted cooler where most of the problems are.

[Batfinnk]

Phew. I started to worry a bit then. Was convinced mine was just a small length of pipe runnng in front of the rads.

[jamieboy18]

great info, many thanks. I have been looking at images of the engine and i think the first gasket they may have changed would be for the cover for the top of the engine block - underneath the inlet manifold. I never realised there was a cover there until i googled images of the engine. If they have replaced the inlet manifold gaskets to repair an oil leak i will be extremely concerned!

Have you ever heard of a leak from this top block cover? I imagine the oil under there is low pressure - its directly above the crank. I am thinking maybe oil was collecting in the V and the technician assumed it must be the gasket for this cover, but now this hasn't fixed it he is saying its the headgaskets as that's the next nearest gasket. I am not convinced at all.

Anyway going into the dealer this morning and will let you know more when i do. Even though the valve cover gaskets have been replaced i still have a feeling that is the source - would oil collect in the V if these gaskets were to blame? I always assumed it would be the outside edges where you would get a leak.