15 Oil leak from the cylinder head - 2.9 and 3.0TFSI only
15 21 38 2053278/7 April 1, 2021. Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 15 number 21-37 dated
February 16, 2021 for reasons listed below.
Model(s)

Year

VIN Range

Vehicle-Specific Equipment

A4, Q5

2018 - 2020

All

2.9 and 3.0 TFSI

Q5, SQ5

2021

000001 - 044156

2.9 and 3.0 TFSI

A4

2021

000001 - 019775

2.9 and 3.0 TFSI

A6, A7, S6,
S7, A8, S8,
and Q8

2019 - 2020

All

2.9 and 3.0 TFSI

A6, A7, S6,
and S7

2021

000001 - 028126

2.9 and 3.0 TFSI

Q7, SQ7,
and SQ8

2020

All

2.9 and 3.0 TFSI

A8, S8

2021

000001 – 008158

2.9 and 3.0 TFSI

Q8, SQ8

2021

000001 – 013958

2.9 and 3.0 TFSI

Q7, SQ7

2021

000001 – 017837

2.9 and 3.0 TFSI

RS 5, RS 5
Cabriolet,
and RS 5
Sportback

2019

All

2.9 and 3.0 TFSI

RS 5, RS 5
Cabriolet,
and RS 5
Sportback

2021

900001 - 900620

2.9 and 3.0 TFSI

Condition
REVISION HISTORY
Revision

Date

Purpose

7

-

Revised Warranty (Updated Labor Operations)

6

02/16/2021

Revised Required Parts and Tools (Updated part number)

5

01/30/2021

Revised header (Added VIN break)
Revised Service (Revised DOC-IT note)

Page 1 of 8
© 2021 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of Audi of
America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the
publisher.

Customer states:
 Oil loss in the area around the engine compartment, front end, and underbody.
 Oil level warning (too low).
 There is a smell coming from the engine compartment.
Workshop findings:
 There is a leak in the area around the cylinder head cover, valve cover, and cylinder head.
 There is a leak in the area around the injector.
 There is a leak in the area around the Audi valvelift system actuator.

Technical Background
Metal shavings produced during manufacture in sealing groove between cylinder head cover and the cylinder
head.

Production Solution
Improved production processes.

Service
As the oil loss in the area of the cylinder head cover may involve two different issues, proceed as follows
to clearly determine the source of the leak.
1. Remove the engine compartment cover and the heat shield below it.

Page 2 of 8
© 2021 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of Audi of
America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the
publisher.

2. Remove the upper noise insulation of the
affected cylinder bank (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Removing the upper noise insulation.
3. Remove the Audi valvelift system actuator of
the affected cylinder.
A. If there is a substantial quantity of oil
below the Audi valvelift system actuator
(illustration), the cause of the leak is the O
ring of the Audi valvelift system actuator.
Note:
Please take photos of the oil under the Audi
valve lift system actuator as shown in Figure
2. Then upload them into DOC-IT with the
repair order. Photos should:
 Have a date stamp and VIN reference.
 Be taken in focus and with sufficient light.
Replace the Audi valvelift system actuator
with an O ring, clean the engine
compartment, and if necessary replace the
noise insulation (if it is soaked in oil) (Figure
2).

Figure 2. Oil in the Audi valve lift system.

B. If there is no substantial quantity of oil
below the Audi valvelift system actuator
continue with Step 4!

Page 3 of 8
© 2021 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of Audi of
America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the
publisher.

4. Remove the lower noise insulation.
5. Locate the affected cylinder. Oil should have
gathered in the area of the injector (Figure 3)
and the noise insulation should also be
soaked in oil.

Figure 3. Locating the affected cylinder.
6. Remove the cylinder head cover and the seal
(Figure 4).

Figure 4. Remove the cylinder head cover and gasket.

Page 4 of 8
© 2021 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of Audi of
America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the
publisher.

7. Inspect the gasket groove in the cylinder
head cover and remove any casting residues
with a suitable tool (Figure 5). The residues
can be removed with a small flat screwdriver
(Figure 6).
Note:
Make sure not to damage the seal groove!

Figure 5. Before the repair.

Figure 6. After the repair.
8. Install a new seal, re-assemble the camshaft cover, clean the engine compartment, and if necessary
replace the noise insulation (if it is full of oil).
Note:
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).

Page 5 of 8
© 2021 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of Audi of
America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the
publisher.

Warranty
Claim Type:

 110 up to 48 Months/50,000 Miles.
 G10 for CPO Covered Vehicles – Verify Owner.


Service Number:

If the vehicle is outside any warranty, this Technical Service Bulletin is informational
only.

 1580 (Leak on injector)
 1551 (Leak on Audi valvelift system actuator)

Damage Code:

 0050 (1580 only)
 0010 (1551 only)

Labor Operations:

For 3.0L engines
Adjusting mechanism for Valvelift system remove 1551 2043 (left)
+ reinstall (if AVS leak location)
1551 2044 (right)
1551 9999 (Q8)

See SRT with
associated
operations
110 TU (Right)
170 TU (Left)

Camshaft adjusters remove + reinstall (if injector
leak location)

1584 1943 (left)

Camshaft housing remove + reinstall (if injector
leak location)

1503 1993 (left)
1503 1994 (right)

See SRT with
associated
operations

Clean engine cover, heat shield, upper and
engine

1083 9999

40 TU

Radar sensor adjust (if applicable)

9163 1650

See SRT with
associated
operations

1584 1944 (right)

Or
9163 1550

See SRT with
associated
operations

Preparation Driver Assist Calibration (if
applicable)

9092 0050

See SRT with
associated
operations

Vehicle front + rear check (if applicable)

4495 0100

See SRT with
associated
operations

Page 6 of 8
© 2021 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of Audi of
America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the
publisher.

Overhead view camera adjusted (if applicable)

9083 1500

See SRT with
associated
operations

For 2.9L engines (RS models)
Adjusting mechanism for Valvelift system remove 1551 1945 (left)
+ reinstall (if AVS leak location)
1551 1946 (right)

See SRT with
associated
operations

Front bumper cover remove + reinstall (if injector 6329 1900
leak location)

See SRT with
associated
operations

Front bumper remove + reinstall (if injector leak
location)

6310 1950

See SRT with
associated
operations

Radiator remove + reinstall (if injector leak
location)

1970 1995

See SRT with
associated
operations

Camshaft adjusters remove + reinstall (if injector
leak location)

1584 1995 (left)

See SRT with
associated
operations

Camshaft housing remove + reinstall (if injector
leak location)

1503 1995 (left)
1503 1996 (right)

See SRT with
associated
operations

Clean engine cover, heat shield, upper and
engine

1083 9999

40 TU

Overhead view camera adjusted (if applicable)

9083 1500

See SRT with
associated
operations

Radar sensor adjust (if applicable)

9163 1650

See SRT with
associated
operations

Preparation Driver Assist Calibration (if
applicable)

9092 0050

See SRT with
associated
operations

1584 1996 (right)

Page 7 of 8
© 2021 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of Audi of
America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the
publisher.

Diagnostic Time:

Claim Comment:

Vehicle front + rear check (if applicable)

4495 0100

See SRT with
associated
operations

GFF (if applicable)

0150 0000

Time stated on
the diagnostic
protocol (Max
50 TU)

Road test prior to service procedure

No allowance

0 TU

Road test after service procedure

0121 0004

10 TU

As per TSB #2053278/7

All warranty claims submitted for payment must be in accordance with the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures
Manual. Claims are subject to review or audit by Audi Warranty.

Required Parts and Tools
Always check with your Parts Department and/or ETKA for the latest information and parts bulletins.
Part Number

Part Description

Quantity

See ETKA

Fasteners, Bolts, Nuts, and Screws as needed per the
Repair Manual

See ETKA/ELSA

06M906048F

Solenoid valve (if applicable)

01

06M103650D

Gasket Cylinders 1-3 (if applicable)

01

06M103649D

Gasket Cylinders 4-6 (if applicable)

01

G 12E050S0

Coolant concentrate 1.5L (if applicable)

02

Additional Information
All parts and service references provided in this TSB (2053278) are subject to change and/or removal.
©2021 Audi of America, Inc. All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest
information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies, and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any
time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in
any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Page 8 of 8
© 2021 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of Audi of
America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the
publisher.