slight oil leaks and powersteering

[niavasha]

hi all

just been down to my local non-audi garage as I've had a bit of a smell of smoke coming from the engine for a while.

it looks as though it's coming from the rocker cover gaskets, however, the mechanic also said it looks like there is a slight leak from and this is how he described it "clip below the rocker cover, about egg cup size, got a plastic pipe going into it, maybe it's a rubber o-ring that needs replacing. looks like an oil breather" does that ring bells with anyone ?

also, he mentioned that my power steering pipe coming from below the electric pump had a slight bit of oil on the pipe, althought it had not got
worse or the power steering fluid level lowered since i had it in a couple of weeks ago.

could this be associated with a fair amount of whine at full lock ? it's not that much of a whine, the normal level if there is one, but i've not had a car that's made a whine for a while.. also at a certain position lock when going slowly there is a deep moaning coming from the front. this happens in forward or reverse.

any ideas! ?
Thanks

[oneye]

hi , have posted a similar prob this week and rocker cover gasket was suggested , car with audi as i write this so will let you know if there was anything involving the clip you mention or other bits in general when they get back to me.
regarding the power steering my car is the same (whines alot on full lock) asked audi who said its quite normal . they suggested a new pump may help but that there would still be some noise. can't say i get the moaning sound though. sure someone else will be able to help.
carl

[niavasha]

hi carl,

thanks a lot, i saw your post earlier aswell and that lead me on the right path. very interested to hear when you hear back from audi.

thanks for the reassurance with the full lock whine, I guess i'm just used to quiet ones now
Thanks

[gavsteryoung]

Powersteering whine is normal, and changing the pump can sometime have no effect..... Its pretty common, most people on here will say the same.

Infact mine has had a high pitch wine since I had the car... nothing gone wrong yet!

Rocker cover gaskets seem to be common, I have burning oil smell to and increased consuption but dont really see where the oil is coming from. Nothing seems to make it too the bottom of the tray!

[KayGee]

I concur, mine whines on full lock. Doesn't loose fluid, fliud is right level, so always ignored it.

[niavasha]

thanks a lot all. Does any one recognise the deep moaning (almost deep rubbing) noise at a certain lock ? the mechanic said it maybe something to do with the suspension, but not sure if i see that at the mo.

Thanks
Harry.

[oneye]

hi , picked my car up last night . was a straight forward rocker cover gasket replacement , they couldn't really help on the clip subject . although i only got to speak to the service manager not the guy working on my car. there was a fair amount of oil leaked around the area of the gasket and dripping down which may give the impression that something else was leaking so maybe start with having the gasket changed and take it from there.
hope you get it sorted out !
regards
carl

[niavasha]

Glad to hear it was just that and that it's all fixed up. I've got the parts on order now and hopefully get them fitted next week. Will let you know how i get on

Cheers
Harry