It turns out my valve cover gaskets are shot, and I want to do them myself to save the money on labor. I have a few questions before I start ordering stuff, I've searched but didn't find much for the 2.8 engine, so sorry if this is a repost:
1. On a scale of 1-10, how technically difficult is the replacement?
2. A mechanic said my camshaft seals and cam tensioner gasket were also no good. Is the replacement of the valve cover gasket in any way related to these two things? Should I wait to do the VC gaskets until I have the parts to do these things?
3. Does anyone know where the is a good DIY or is it as simple as unbolting the cover and installing a new gasket?

Any other information is appreciated
Thanks

 

The valve cover gaskets on a 2.8L engine is really easy, probably a 2 out of 10 on the difficulty scale.
But yes you would have to do the cam adjuster seals while you have the valve covers off so wait until you get those to perform the repair.
The cam seals can be a pain in the butt......depending if you know what your doing.

 

What about the camshaft seals themselves? The mechanic said it would be an 8 hour job for him, is it that bad? Could I do cam tensioner gaskets and VC gaskets one day and then wait a while for the camshaft seals or is that all part of it too? Also the car has 103k miles on it, I just got it, and I don't know if the timing belt has ever been replaced. i suppose I should use this opportunity to replace that too? Is there anyway to tell if it's been replaced before?

 

The tech is saying it would take him 8 hours because it pays 8 hours. He could probably do it in an hour or so. (If he's good)
All of that stuff is easy, including the timing belt, you need the cam lock bar if you wanna do the timing belt yourself. Check on audiworld for a DIY.

 

I'm experiencing a burning oil smell in my car, too, and after taking a look, my valve cover gaskets need to be replaced.

Everyone seems to think it's a piece of cake on the 2.8, but is that true IF and only IF you do not have to change the cam seals and camshaft tensioner gasket? In this video, they are replacing those, too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYmYBvuX6Lc

So, if I only want to replace the valve cover gaskets alone, can I get at those without removing the bumper and putting the vehicle into "service mode"?

 

Yes, if you only want to change the valve cover gaskets, then you do NOT need to remove the bumper/timing belt.

 

jdahlen24 thx man

 

Im doing the valve cover gaskets also since i have a leak...i dont know if i should get the camshaft seals and the crankshaft seals also? how many do i need of each?

 

Here's the kit that I used.

http://www.blauparts.com/audi/audi_v...sket_kit.shtml

I didn't do the cam seals and end caps yet, but I think now that the valve cover gaskets and cam chain tensioner seals have been changed, the cam seals and end caps are still leaking. So, I may need to do the rest of them.