The Audi is one luxury vehicle built to last a long time. It comes with a long-standing reputation of being durable and reliable, but it still requires proper care in order to achieve its high-performance standards. The valve cover in your Audi is just one significant part of your vehicle’s engine that should be maintained. Preventing a valve cover oil leak is imperative because an oil leak can be catastrophic if it’s not caught and repaired in time. It can cause early wear to other parts of your vehicle, or even worse, your engine could catch on fire.
In this article, we will discuss the valve cover, the signs that it is leaking oil, and how you can fix it.
What is a valve cover?
Sitting on top of the engine’s cylinder head, valve covers are important for two primary reasons: they work to protect the cylinder head of your Audi’s engine. They also prevent oil from spilling out of the cylinder head and all over the top of your engine. Because valve covers are forced to endure and are susceptible to high amounts of heat, they do tend to wear out over time. If they are not periodically replaced, they will start to leak oil.
If your valve cover starts to leak oil, this could have several serious repercussions on your Audi. For one, oil leaks have the tendency to cause untimely wear and tear to other parts of your vehicle, such as the rubber hoses and seals. It can also cause issues with your engine’s overall performance or result in your engine failing altogether. Most dangerously, an oil leak could potentially start a fire, putting you and your passengers at risk.
How to Tell your Valve Cover is Leaking Oil
Paying proper attention to your Audi will make it more likely that you’ll be able to catch an oil leak before it causes irreparable damage to your vehicle. Luckily for you, there are many warning signs that your valve cover is leaking oil. Here are the most common:
Lift the hood
One sign that you have a valve cover oil leak is that, when you lift up the hood of your car, you find oil seeping out over the top of your engine. This is never a good sign. Also, if you lift the hood and inspect the actual valve cover, you can tell if it’s leaking by how dirty it is. If it’s very dirty, this is because oil is leaking out and accumulating dirt.
Also, it’s important to remember to periodically check your Audi’s oil level. If at any point the oil level drops, then this is indicative of an oil leak.
Burning smell
If you’re driving and you smell burning oil, then this means that oil is dripping out onto hot parts of your car’s engine and burning. This can, in some instances, produce a lot of smoke. So, if there is smoke coming out from underneath your hood, then this is indicative that you should have the issue assessed and fixed before it causes any serious damage.
Dark puddle
One of the most obvious ways to tell if you have an oil leak is if there’s a puddle underneath your car after it has been parked for some time. However, this doesn’t always happen, so don’t rely solely on this method.
Engine issues
Oftentimes, when there is an oil leak specific to the valve cover, you might begin to notice certain engine issues when you’re driving. For example, your engine could misfire. This is due to the fact that when a valve cover leaks oil, that oil often drips into your Audi’s spark plugs, which causes your engine to misfire.
We Will Help with Your Valve Cover Oil Leak
At Escondido German Auto, we recognize the importance of diagnosing and repairing valve cover oil leaks before they cause irreparable damage to your 
Audi. Our technicians specialize in German-made vehicle brands, including Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Porsche, Sprinter, and Volkswagen. They are trained to provide your luxury vehicle with the care and attention that it requires.
We are conveniently located for drivers in and around Escondido, Rancho Bernardo, and Valley Center, CA communities. Escondido German Auto is dedicated to providing you and your Audi with high-quality service. Whether you have a valve cover oil leak or some other car issue, contact us and set up an appointment today.