Valve cover gasket replacement

2009 AUDI S8
105,000 MILES • V10 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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Just saw some smoke and an oil smell, pretty sure it's from the valve cover gasket on passenger side. I need instructions on how to replace that side if you have it.
Oct 30, 2021 at 12:11 PM
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SQM
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Hello,

See attached for the valve cover removal and installation procedures.

Please let me know of any questions.
Thank you.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-valve-cover-gasket
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Oct 30, 2021 at 2:28 PM
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This looks too easy to be true. lol
Oct 30, 2021 at 2:53 PM
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SQM
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That is right. Lot easier than what it appears at a first glance. Definitely not like doing a timing belt, haha.
Oct 30, 2021 at 2:57 PM
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Can you tell me if these have a chain or belt and whether it is in the back and not the front? and I heard people talking about camshaft ladder do you know what that is? which some say can leak from the back.
Oct 30, 2021 at 2:58 PM
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Hopefully there isn't a back cover that could be causing the leak which i would misdiagnose as the valve cover gasket. The check engine light was also on and had lean codes, turned out one of the PCV hoses on top of the cover for that side was disconnected. I am afraid if the PCV is bad, it is what caused the valve cover to start to leak and if i replace it and the PCV is still bad that it would blow off the gasket again.
Oct 30, 2021 at 5:01 PM
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SQM
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These V10s have timing chain. I have not seen one to fail. But then again there are not too many of these.
The back cover will require dropping the engine, if I remember correctly. What part do you see the leak coming from? Towards the back or front?
Oct 31, 2021 at 12:48 PM
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Smoke and some of the oil is towards the back left corner, but when i saw it, which is first time that i do i saw one of the PCV hoses disconnected, so i connected it back.
Oct 31, 2021 at 1:09 PM
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It is so hard to inspect on this engine, given the limited room. Even when it's on a lift, it is difficult to inspect. Best way is to use an inspection camera and use of dye.
Oct 31, 2021 at 6:49 PM
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I have a camera I will check. thanks
Oct 31, 2021 at 9:25 PM
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Let me know how it turns out.
Nov 1, 2021 at 7:34 AM
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Even with the camera you can barely see it, but i think it is the cover. Pulled wheel off and then plastic fender cover and put a screwdriver through the heat shield, made a hole and saw it, not bad enough to cause a smoke but i guess it's because it drops on top of the exhaust.
Nov 1, 2021 at 4:57 PM
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Just about anytime those engines leak from the cover the oil will find its way to the exhaust manifold.
Nov 1, 2021 at 10:04 PM