2021-2024 Audi Q5 Cylinder Head Cover Oil Leak TSB 2072716/7

Symptoms

Owners of 2021-2024 Audi Q5 vehicles equipped with the 2.0-liter TFSI engine (engine code DPVA) may notice visible "oil residue on the cylinder head cover." This residue is often an indicator of an underlying leak. Technicians investigating such complaints have identified that the "cylinder head cover leaking" occurs specifically in the area around the threaded connections of one or more bolts.

Technical Background

According to Audi, the root cause of the "Audi Q5 cylinder head cover oil leak" is that the cylinder head cover bolts may become loose over time. This loosening allows oil to seep out around the threaded connections, leading to the observed oil residue and leaks. This TSB, identified as Transaction No. 2072716/7, provides a detailed procedure for addressing this specific issue.

Revision History

Technical Service Bulletin 2072716/7 has undergone several revisions to refine the repair procedure and associated information. Revision 7 updated the production solution with an adjusted VIN break. Revision 6, dated April 10, 2025, revised the service instructions by updating the caution section. Earlier, Revision 5, dated September 17, 2024, included updated photos and work instructions for the service procedure, and also revised the warranty information, specifically the labor operations.

Production Solution

Audi implemented a production solution to address the loose cylinder head cover bolts. This solution applies to vehicles with the production VIN WA1GAAFY0R2127891 and a production date of August 2024 or later. Vehicles produced after this date are expected to have the updated components or assembly process to prevent the "Audi Q5 cylinder head cover oil leak."

Diagnosis

To accurately diagnose the "Audi Q5 cylinder head cover oil leak," technicians are instructed to first reproduce the customer complaint. This ensures that the described issue aligns with the conditions outlined in TSB 2072716/7. The repair procedure should only be performed if all specified criteria, including vehicle model, engine type (DPVA), chassis number, engine/motor, gearbox code, PR number(s), part number, software version, and other relevant identifiers, are met. Failure to adhere strictly to these criteria could result in the problem persisting and potential rejection of warranty claims.

Repair Procedure Summary

The repair for the "Audi Q5 cylinder head cover oil leak" involves a precise sequence of steps to address the loose cylinder head cover bolts. This procedure is detailed in Technical Service Bulletin 2072716/7.

1. Initial Inspection: Technicians must thoroughly check all 22 cylinder head cover bolts for any signs of looseness or oil residue around their threaded connections. This visual inspection helps identify the specific bolts contributing to the leak.
2. Oil Separator Removal: To gain proper access to the cylinder head cover bolts, the oil separator component must be carefully removed. The TSB specifies that the oil separator gasket should be reused if it is not damaged. It should only be replaced if damage is evident after its removal, contrary to some general information in ELSA.
3. Bolt Tightening and Replacement: Any loose bolts identified during the initial inspection must be replaced. New bolts are to be tightened to a torque of 8 Nm plus an additional 90-degree turn. Existing bolts that are not loose but are part of the affected area should be tightened to a torque of 14 Nm.
4. Specific Tightening Sequence: The tightening process must follow a specific order as illustrated in Figure 1 of the TSB. This figure, titled "Sequence of checking bolts," visually guides technicians through the correct order for checking and tightening the cylinder head cover bolts to ensure even pressure and prevent future loosening.
5. Handling Multiple Loose Bolts: A critical instruction is that if several bolts are found to be loose, technicians must not loosen them all simultaneously. Instead, each affected bolt should be removed, replaced, and then tightened individually, strictly following the sequence shown in Figure 1. This prevents potential warping or damage to the cylinder head cover.

Figure 2 in the TSB visually highlights the "Oil on the threaded connection," providing a clear visual reference for technicians to identify the leak source.

Important Warnings

Audi emphasizes several critical points for technicians regarding this repair, which also serve as important information for owners:

• Warranty Claim Rejection: "Try to reproduce the customer complaint (based on the description/cause of the issue), so that it can be clearly assigned to this TSB. The following repair must only be carried out if all the criteria (model/type, chassis number, engine/motor, gearbox code, PR number(s), part number, software version, code, etc.) apply exactly. Otherwise, this solution will not eliminate the problem and repeat repairs may be necessary. In such a case, the warranty claim may be rejected, and the cost of the parts may be charged back."
• Torque Wrench Caution: "If the torque wrench does not click after a quarter turn (90°) when checking the bolts are tightened to 14Nm, the affected bolt must be replaced."
• New Bolt Tightening: "When replacing the new bolt, it must be tightened to a torque of 8 Nm + 90°."
• Multiple Loose Bolts: "If several bolts are affected, do not loosen them at the same time (i.e. several at once). Please remove, replace, and tighten the volts one by one in order shown in figure 1."
• Maximum Torque: "When re-tightening the bolt(s), the maximum torque of 14 Nm must not be exceeded."

Warranty Information

For repairs performed under warranty, specific codes and procedures must be followed. The claim type indicates that if the vehicle is outside of any warranty period, Technical Service Bulletin 2072716/7 is for informational purposes only. The designated Service Number for this procedure is 1570, and the Damage Code is 0050.

The labor operations associated with this TSB include:

• Remove and install ignition coils (if necessary): Labor code 2820 2033. This operation may be required depending on the specific repair needs and refers to the Service Repair Time (SRT) for associated operations.
• Remove and install oil separator: Labor code 1055 1999, allotted 20 Time Units (TU).
• Secure camshaft housing: Labor code 1503 1399, allotted 30 Time Units (TU).
• Engine Clean: Labor code 1001 2952, allotted 10 Time Units (TU).

All warranty claims must adhere to the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures Manual and are subject to review or audit by Audi Warranty. The claim comment should reference TSB 2072716/7.

Additional Information

All part and service references provided within this TSB are subject to change or removal. Technicians and owners are advised to always check with their Parts Department and/or ETKA system for the most current information and parts bulletins. It is also crucial to consult the Repair Manual for details on fasteners, bolts, nuts, and screws that require replacement during the repair process.

When submitting a warranty claim, it is important to attach clear photos that document the complaint to DOC-IT. These photos must include the VIN and date, must not be edited, and should be in focus with sufficient light. If appropriate, the problem's location should be marked for analysis. Photos should not show any persons, faces, license plates, or customer data.

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Source: NHTSA ID: 10255280