Oil leak from under car ...!

[andrewd]

Just noticed this evening that my urS4 is dripping a bit of oil from just above where the catalytic converters are (directly below the gearstick area). Haven't had a chance to have a proper look but just wondering if anyone has any suggestions? I'm getting nervous ...!

[Corey]

Have a look and report your findings, it's easier for you, you have the car!!!

[andrewd]

Very sensible advice! I guess the internet is no substitute for going out there and getting my hands dirty.

Will post back tonight once I've had a crawl around ...

[iain1067]

I had the same thing on my old Urs4, turned out to be a seal on the back of the gearbox where the prop bolts on, quite a common thing according to the guy who replaced it for me (master tech at Audi). If it is that then it's exhaust off and prop shaft, there really isn't much else in that area that leaks oil unless you got a lot of engine oil down there, burning box oil smells quite different to nuring engine oil.

Iain

[andrewd]

Cheers Iain. I perused a few parts diagrams online over lunch time and independently identified that seal between the propshaft and gearbox as being a suspect. It's certainly in the right place.

It doesn't smell like burning engine oil, more like hot/burning plastic or rubber. And as you say, it's a long way back for engine oil to travel, and the level hasn't dropped at all.

I've booked it into QRSPort on Monday for a service, and have asked them to take a look at this too (in addition to the lack of boost!).

Will still have a poke around tonight just for my own curiousity ...

[iain1067]

You got the smell about right, i doubt you will see anything unless you have a ramp. What does your car boost too on the in dash digital gauge??? I know it's not that accurate but it will give us a guide. You should see around 2.0 bar max boost. If you don't then it's most likely a boost leak.


Iain

[andrewd]

Thanks for confirming the burning gearbox oil smell Iain!

As for the boost isue; when I picked the car up 4 weeks ago I was seeing no higher than 1.6 bar held, with a one-time-only spike of 1.9 bar(!). Since then I haven't seen anything higher that 1.4 bar and the car really does feel like it's holding back. It's had a constant diet of super unleaded in that time.

I had a poke around some of the more accessible parts of the boost pipework but didn't see anything that was obviously loose or leaking. Guess it could be anything from a boost leak to a faulty diverter valve to a dodgy sensor. I do seem to remember reading that the engine management will reign it back to ~0.4 bar of boost (1.4 on the guage) when faults are present?

Hoping that it can be restored to full health on Monday without too much expense ...!

[iain1067]

I am sure you will let us know how you get on, hope you get the probs sorted and driving how it should.


Iain

[Olle]

another suggestion

i have anoter suggestion - had the same looking prob, come out as as leaking hydr hose to gear box. are you sure it is oil? it was tought to find the leak in my case, only after the leak become too obvious and the hose needed to be replaced. same leak look from the buttom of the car, may be the case.

[Markarina]

Crazy thing about this is the replacement seal is about £1.50 but the labour is a good couple of ours

[iain1067]

I would agree with that

Iain

[andrewd]

QRSport had the car on Monday, and as suspected it has a leak from the rear(?) diff. They reckon it may have been there for a while and the diff has just been kept well topped up!

Unfortunately they couldn't fix it there and then so I'm back over on Saturday to have that seal replaced. They reckon about 2 hours(!) labour.

Seems like the expense of S-car ownership has started already ....

[iain1067]

So how does the oil from the rear diff get onto the cats??? Or does he mean the back of the gearbox???? Might be worth steaming the rear diff off (if it is that) then you will see if it's leaking or not, my bet is if it is the rear diff then it's on the drivers side. Common failure. Might as well change the rear diff oil whilst he is in there.

Iain

[s2driveruk]

...if you can get both fill and drain caps off in the first place, took dialynx an age, 2 people and along breaker bar before they managed to undo mine

[andrewd]

He must have meant the rear of the gearbox then (is that where the Torsen sits?) as that's directly above the cats. Thinking about it, I presume the rear diff must be between the rear wheels! I'll get him to point out exactly where they reckon the leak is before any work commences ...

So if it's the seal at the back of the 'box that'd mean a gearbox oil change then? Might cure my notchy changes!