Found engine oil on my ignition coil

[bwana]

I was experiencing some problems yesterday so I figured I'd lost another coil but when I pulled it out it was covered in engine oil. What am I looking at here? A damaged valve cover gasket or something else?

 

[hellfire]

Oil on my coil and a rocket in my pocket.
Green eggs and ham I am, I am green eggs and ham

 

[undesign]

That title sounded very much like a Health, Wealth, Leisure and Relationships topic...

PS see you edited it

 

[rorz0r]

Is this a trick question? I'm going with "engine oil on your ignition coil".

 

[bwana]

Is this a trick question? I'm going with "engine oil on your ignition coil".

Interesting you would say that because a few google searches say I'm possibly looking at a damaged valve cover gasket.

 

[Sinbad]

Would depend where the oil came from. Can you see any other signs of leakage etc? Missing oil cap or dipstick?

 

[bwana]

Would depend where the oil came from. Can you see any other signs of leakage etc? Missing oil cap or dipstick?

Cap and dipstick are fine and the coils are clean at the top and fairly well sealed in.

 

[Sinbad]

Cap and dipstick are fine and the coils are clean at the top and fairly well sealed in.

Post a pic which puts the coil in context with the rest of the engine compartment etc?

 

[bwana]

Will this suffice?

 

[Brown Fox]

I was experiencing some problems yesterday so I figured I'd lost another coil but when I pulled it out it was covered in engine oil. What am I looking at here? A damaged valve cover gasket or something else?

What car is it?

 

[bwana]

What car is it?

2001 Audi A3 1.8T

 

[Brown Fox]

I know with BMW it is the Valve cover gasket.
It has rubbers around the coil holes that leak oil through.

Get a valve cover gasket kit it come with everything.

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Valve cover gasket might be dribbling and drooling on your coil...

 

[Brown Fox]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYmYBvuX6Lc

 

[Sinbad]

Yeah I'd go with a valve cover gasket too.

 

[bwana]

Thanks all. Hopefully it won't be an expensive fix.

 

[bwana]

Popped into the mechanic that did my engine rebuild last year and he says tappet cover gasket, which he's happy to replace if I supply the gasket. Thanks all.