2.5tdi oil leak around alternator

[white.akita]

Hi everyone, yesterday I bought a 2003 a4 2.5tdi quattro with a oil leak that seems to be coming from behind or above the alternator which is covered in oil.
anyone know where the leak is likely to be coming from ?

 

[AudiLeon]

Probably the rocker covers.

 

[white.akita]

They look dry as a bone but its hard to see 100%

 

[white.akita]

Any advice on being able to stop the leak or finding it without taking the front end of the car off ?
Might try some of that engine stop leak fluid.

 

[AudiLeon]

Nooo don't use that.

 

[white.akita]

after some more reading it seems it could be the cam seal leaking

 

[quattrojames]

You mean rocker covers? Mine weeped slightly and the oil went everywhere!

 

[white.akita]

no, I have read that it could be a camshaft seal when the alternator is covered in oil.

 

[AlexGSi2000]

Yeah, more than likely your cam seal - mines doing the same.

 

[Turkster]

why not use the stop oil leak stuff ?

 

[AlexGSi2000]

why not use the stop oil leak stuff ?

I would never dream of using it to be honest. From what I have heard it can block small oil channels, clog oil pick-ups.etc
Which can lead to bigger problems.

 

[S4_dan]

I would never dream of using it to be honest. From what I have heard it can block small oil channels, clog oil pick-ups.etc
Which can lead to bigger problems.

As above, it's great in a cheap old banger but not in a Audi. It can cause blockages. All it does is thicken up the oil and soften the seals. It's not a permanent repair.

Same with Radweld.....fix the leak properly rather than boding it!

 

[white.akita]

How would it block ?
All the ones I have seen are just like water.

 

[white.akita]

How would it block ?
All the ones I have seen are just like water.

 

[AlexGSi2000]

How would it block ?
All the ones I have seen are just like water.

Yeah, but when mixed with oil it thickens up.

There are loads of very small oil channels - especially around the hydraulic lifters, if oil flow is reduced even slightly below spec it can cause accelerated wear.

As Dan said, its fine for a banger you don't care much about, but modern engines run low tolerances - so even thickening the oil slightly could be devastating.

My cam oil seal is weeping oil too - as I have exactly the same symptoms - im holding off til the cambelt needs doing again, unless it kills another alternator.

 

[t3pkd]

I had a bit of a leak on mine oil everywhere underneath turned out to be oil filter seal leaked into v and went everywhere replaced cleaned no more leak

 

[wesmaster]

I had the oil filter I ring leak too, new filter and oil change of course, all done!