Audi Repair: 2002 A4 3.0L oil leak, camshaft timing, mechanical experience


Question
My car has 66k miles and has been dealer maintained since new. The passenger side camshaft seals are leaking oil. I pulled the plastic cover and the cam timing belt is wet with oil. I can buy new seals and o rings for about $100. How difficult is it to change these seals? I have substantial mechanical experience and I know to be extremely careful with the camshaft timing etc. I am having difficulty finding a repair manual for this car as well.  Thanks for your help...Bill

Answer
Hi Bill,
That is a big job for what I consider a low mileage on that car.  Anyway even though it's early at 66k I would not leave the timing belt, especially if it has had oil on it.  While you're in there I would also do the water pump and carefully check all the idlers.  This is a major undertaking, I would purchase a manual (I bought a CD-ROM from a major Internet supplier like Amazon for around $65) and check by reading through the procedure that you're up for this...  Just changing the seals, which would involve just top-end work, is a shortcut I would not take if it were my car.  Cheers,  Jan