How long would it take to need to add a quart (miles)?
Up until a few months ago, I’ve never had to add any oil between changes (5k interval). I added a 1/2 qt a couple weeks ago, and it’s been ~2000mi since the last change. This could still fall into the ‘normal’ category if I’m indeed going through a qt every 5k, but the smoking has increased the last few months as well, so I need more data. I’ll be keeping an eye on it.
Audi normal…as in audi warranty says it doesn’t need addressing…is anything less than a quart per 700 miles.
Really?!? (shakes head)
yup. Miraculously lots of people manage to burn that much on OCT and get a free motor.
Blake I think your process of elimination is perfect. I don’t think it is your bottem end either, I think my siutation was unique and rare.
I bet it is your valve seals/guides.
You also mentioned two things that make me think this is definitely it:
increased in past few months - it is winter, cooler temps, items shrink. Allows for more to pass by. (I know you are in AZ but it does get to freezing temps at night in the desert. My mom lives in Tucson.)
1/2 quart - that is in comparison, nothing compared to what I was experiencing. You also said you noticed in the morning. On cold start? Some seepage over night as things reduce in size and settle?
While I also hope that your first two items listed are indeed the culprit, I think the valves seals and guides are the weak point in our motors. I also think JHM recognizes this and is looking into potential solutions.
Thanks for the updates and please keep them coming, I’m sure others will appreciate your feedback and findings.
It’s been awhile since I followed up on this. I’ve been knee-deep in my 190e and haven’t touched the RS in months. Finally got around to swapping the valve cover and gaskets. Fun pics:
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w2/koolade9/Ibis%20RS4/IMG_4686_zps0333abe8.jpg
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w2/koolade9/Ibis%20RS4/IMG_4682_zps56e45943.jpg
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w2/koolade9/Ibis%20RS4/IMG_4681_zps3d2d329c.jpg
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w2/koolade9/Ibis%20RS4/IMG_4680_zps58116f41.jpg
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w2/koolade9/Ibis%20RS4/IMG_4679_zpsda499e2d.jpg
I was quite surprised at how clean the heads were…no marring/scoring on the cam lobes, I was quite happy to see this.
I haven’t seen anyone post these yet, but here’s a side-by-side comparison of the two valve cover variants…I’m guessing you can tell which one is the old one:
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w2/koolade9/Ibis%20RS4/IMG_4685_zps45b52545.jpg
A couple things to note: the crankcase air has to travel through the opening (bottom left of the cover) through the length of the cover and from the top to the bottom and back to flow out through the PCV outlet. I don’t see any real differences in the passages. The primary difference between the two is how the gasket is routed. On the old cover, the last spark plug seal doesn’t go a full 360deg. The new design resolves this. After further inspection, I was leaking oil here that creeped down the side of the head and out the back side of the timing cover, making it look a bit deceiving. I’m willing to bet this is a common problem on RS4s with this early VC design.
As an update over-all, I did a 600mile road-trip/canyon run a couple months ago, and it didn’t smoke at all during that trip, and has smoked only once briefly since then. If I really had a bottom end issue, that should’ve exasperated the issue. If anything, I’m guessing the PCV started working properly again. I’ve replaced the PCV while changing the VC & gaskets, and cleaned the oil residue from around the back of the head, so we’ll see if A. it’s still leaking at all. B. if the new PCV keeps the smoking at bay from here on out. If it happens again, I’ll re-visit this thread. The next step is a catch-can. Not for the sake of stopping oil vapor, but to open up the breathing capacity of the PCV system.
So glad you made an update! Definitely going to be following along, I do plan on revamping the pcv and updating the VC on my car, and see if I have any other issues.
Good luck in the search! Looking forward to more updates!
Very good news! You must be relieved to know that the bottom end is just fine, and the top end sparkles. ;D
(and thanks for the side-by-side pics of the valve covers.)
The RS4s never came with aluminum or whatever metallic valve covers like some of the B6s, did they? If so, did they “coat” the plastic ones with some sort of layering paint/film as well?
I just completed my gasket seals for the B6 Valve Covers and noted “paint” flaking off the underside. I wasn’t sure if this was normal so I searched the AZ section and have read that some members back in 2010/2011 getting new plastic valve covers.
I guess Audi saw this as a problem and corrected it.
The b6 flaking was common… And a bit disturbing lol. You can powder coat them
I’d wager some of the flaking on the S4s was due to that terrible casting they used, very rough surface
nice, is there an update for the driver side and passenger side? or just one side?
Bank 2 (driver’s side) only. The passenger side is already designed to surround all the spark plugs.
Are you 100% positive? I could of recalled its the passenger side.
Please refer to the picture above where I have actually done this already.
but he could of sweared!
Ok is there a certain way to install it? As in which bolts you tighten first? At what torque specs. Etc
Please refer to the picture above where I have actually done this already.
but he could of sweared!