2021 Audi Q8 Oil Leak from Cylinder Head TSB

Owners of certain 2021 Audi Q8 vehicles equipped with 2.9L or 3.0L TFSI engines may experience an oil leak from the cylinder head. Audi has released Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 2053278/8 to provide repair instructions for technicians to diagnose and resolve this issue. This TSB supersedes previous bulletin 21-38 dated April 1, 2021.

Symptoms of a 2021 Audi Q8 Oil Leak

Owners may notice several signs indicating an oil leak from the cylinder head:

• Oil loss in the area around the engine compartment, front end, or underbody.
• An "Oil level warning (too low)" message displayed.
• A distinct smell coming from the engine compartment, often associated with burning oil.

During workshop inspection, technicians may identify leaks in specific areas:

• Around the cylinder head cover, valve cover, and cylinder head.
• Around the fuel injector.
• Around the Audi valvelift system actuator.

Technical Background

The root cause of this 2021 Audi Q8 oil leak is attributed to metal shavings. These shavings can be produced during the manufacturing process and become lodged in the sealing groove between the cylinder head cover and the cylinder head, compromising the seal and leading to oil loss. Audi states that improved production processes have been implemented to prevent this issue in newer vehicles.

Diagnosis and Repair Procedure Summary

To accurately determine the source of the 2021 Audi Q8 oil leak, technicians will follow a specific diagnostic and repair process outlined in TSB 2053278/8. The procedure involves carefully inspecting the engine for the exact leak location, as there are two primary possibilities:

1. Initial Inspection: The engine compartment cover and heat shield are removed, followed by the upper noise insulation.
2. Valvelift System Actuator Leak: The Audi valvelift system actuator of the affected cylinder is removed. If a substantial quantity of oil is found beneath it, the leak is caused by the O-ring of the valvelift system actuator. Technicians are instructed to take photos with a date stamp and VIN reference, ensuring they are in focus and well-lit, and upload them to DOC-IT with the repair order. The repair involves replacing the O-ring, cleaning the engine compartment, and replacing the noise insulation if it is oil-soaked.
3. Injector Area Leak: If no substantial oil is found below the valvelift system actuator, the lower noise insulation is removed. The technician then locates the affected cylinder where oil has gathered around the injector area, and the noise insulation is soaked in oil. The cylinder head cover and its seal are removed. The gasket groove in the cylinder head cover is inspected for casting residues, which are then carefully removed using a small flat screwdriver, taking care not to damage the seal groove.
4. Final Assembly: A new seal is installed, the camshaft cover is re-assembled, and the engine compartment is cleaned. Any oil-soaked noise insulation is replaced.

Important Warnings for Owners and Technicians

Audi explicitly states a critical instruction regarding the repair process:

• Do not replace the Audi valvelift system actuator(s) with an O-ring seal when the leak has been determined to be around the area of the injector(s). This highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis to ensure the correct repair is performed and to prevent unnecessary part replacements.

Required Parts and Tools

Technicians will consult ETKA for specific fasteners, bolts, nuts, and screws required for the repair. Key parts that may be needed include:

• 06M906048F: Solenoid valve (if applicable)
• 06M103650D: Gasket Cylinders 1-3 (if applicable)
• 06M103649D: Gasket Cylinders 4-6 (if applicable)
• G 12E050S0: Coolant concentrate 1.5L (if applicable)

Warranty Information

This repair is covered under Audi's warranty for up to 48 months or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. For Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles, the claim type is G10, requiring owner verification. If the vehicle falls outside these warranty parameters, this Technical Service Bulletin serves as informational guidance only. Technicians will use specific service numbers for claiming the repair:

• 1580: For leaks identified at the injector.
• 1551: For leaks identified at the Audi valvelift system actuator.

Associated damage codes are 0050 (for service number 1580) and 0010 (for service number 1551). Diagnostic time for General Function Test (GFF) is 0150 0000. A road test after the service procedure is allocated 0121 0004 time units.

NHTSA ID: 10198480