Main seal defective

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wdmiller

New member
Joined
Feb 28, 2017
Messages
4
Main seal leaking and replaced at 20k miles. Not good, but warranty covered and Audi provided nice loaner.
Just had 30k service done. Leak noted again. Taking to dealer tomorrow for check and repair.

Has anyone else had this problem?

Any thoughts as to what Audi should do with such a serious defect?

Ours is a 2017 Etron, gently driven.
 
That seal must be quite a challenge to replace unless they somehow can get the oil pan off without removing the engine, and if its not too hard to remove everything below below the engine to access the oil pan, like the whole sub-frame that must hold the front suspension and transmission to the car.

I must say that this is the first vehicle I've owned that I have never climbed under, so I can't render an opinion. This is also the only vehicle for which I've bought an extended warranty, and a routine maintenance service agreement. I usually do all my own maintenance and major and minor repairs for that matter. Call this a hidden cost of ownership for these highly complex motive systems.

Anyway, either they didn't bother to replace the seal and put in some "Bars Leak" with great hope, but the leak started up again, or they botched the job and the new seal didn't take, or, the crankshaft has issues with that seal's surface and the engine needs to come apart. So, hope that the new seal didn't take for some reason and that they can get it right this time.... I'm sure they've never done a rear main seal replacement on an eTRON before, or after, yours.

1. The original main seal shouldn't leak for many years.
2. A new seal shouldn't leak for many more years.
 
I hope that they resolve your issue once and for all.
I've had mine for 2 1/2 years (2016 model) and almost 60,000 km. What you're experiencing hasn't (and hopefully won't) happen to me. But I will definitely keep an eye out.
 
At 30k Audi stated they saw no leak and added die to oil requesting we bring car back in 500 or more miles. Just took in last week, dealer noted blue die in oil under engine. Gave my wife a nice loaner Q5. Said they would investigate. They pulled engine and trans at 20k to replace the main seal. Now at 36k, again?? This is very serious and I wonder what Audi will do to remedy.
 
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