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If you think you have a valve cover leaking in your Audi, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled a breakdown and explanation of the most common signs that you may have a leak in your valve cover. The leak could be from a seal or from a crack in the valve cover. Both can be determined by a trained technician and can result in one or more of the following signs and symptoms. If you find yourself with one or more of the below problems, contact your trusted Audi specialist right away.

Common Symptoms of a Valve Cover Oil Leak

Oh, the Smell!

The most telltale sign that you have a leaking valve cover is the smell of burning oil. It is one of those smells that you will almost instantly recognize once you have identified the odor. When a valve cover has a leak, the oil is thrown from the engine as it runs. Oil can get all over your entire engine. This often results in the smell of burning oil. If the leaking oil makes its way to the exhaust manifold, a fire can occur.

Where there’s Smoke, There’s a Leak

One visible sign is smoke coming from the engine department. This is the result of the burning oil that was mentioned above. The smoke may not be visible upon first starting the engine. However, as the engine heats up, the motor oil will become thinner and more can escape through the leaking valve cover. Smoking is usually more visible when you stop after your engine has had time to heat up.

Visible Oil

Pop the hood and take a close look. If your valve cover is leaking, you will likely see a buildup of dirty, thick oil on the valve cover. In some cases, the underneath side of the hood will also have oil stains that are visible. As the oil escapes, it is thrown against the hood and lands back on the top of the valve cover.

Rough Engine

Audis are smooth luxury vehicles. When they start to run rough, it is a sure sign that something is amiss. One of those possibilities is a reduction in the oil pressure caused by a leaking valve cover. In some cases, your Audi may even begin to misfire if oil comes into contact with the spark plugs.

Low Oil

If you check your engine oil to find that you Audi is low, you may have a leaking valve cover. Although you will also have some or all of the above-mentioned signs, a sudden drop in oil level is a clear sign there is a problem.

Causes of a Valve Cover Leak

Over time and with normal use, a valve cover can crack or leak, due to no fault of the driver. In some cases, when an Audi is driven in extreme temperature variances, it can cause fluctuations in the seals of the valve cover, leading to a leak.

Another common cause of a valve cover leak is after an engine has overheated. There are several issues that can cause an engine to overheat. In all instances, you should have your car inspected to ensure that no damage has occurred. One of the components that could be affected is the valve cover.

How Autowerks Can Help

Our family-owned service technicians say Autowerks have been providing owners of Audi and other European vehicles top-quality service since 1975. We now have locations to serve you located in and around Brenham, Bryan, Caldwell, Madisonville, Navasota, or College Station, Texas.

At Autowerks, we pride ourselves on offering the best service at competitive prices. Our entire staff is dedicated to providing prompt, courteous, and a personal touch to all of our transactions. At Autowerks, you are not just a customer, you are a member of the family.

Our ASE certified technicians are specially trained to deal with the complex and unique design found only in the best high-performance automobiles, such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Rolls Royce, and more. We can provide you with all of your service needs from routine maintenance, including oil changes and tune-ups, to more serious repairs, such as HVAC repairs and engine replacement. Whatever your needs, we are here to serve you. Call us today.