[s-cars] Flickering CEL, CPS Codes, Cam seal leak

[Jim Fleischer]

Hey all,

Hope the holidays have been treating everyone well!

I had been experiencing an intermittent CEL warning light, and the codes were coming up indicating a faulty CPS (Cam Position Sensor.)  Car was running fine and would start with no issue, until a few days ago when it wouldn’t start.  So, with replacement CPS in hand, I went in and discovered that my Cam seal has been leaking and there was a bunch of oil and grit behind the cam sprocket, and thus the CPS was coated with dirt.  Not having a fresh seal available and needing the car immediately, I decided to just clean things up nicely and put it back together, knowing I’d have to replace the seal, and could then put in the new sensor while I’m there.  I reset the codes, car started and runs without issue, and is not throwing a code after an hour of spirited driving.

Questions:  I need to replace the cam seal (failed after only 25K+ miles) and figured I’d replace the CPS then anyway.  Is there any trick to the Cam seal replacement, or am I better off letting someone else do it?  Also, just confirming that “while I’m in there” I should just replace the CPS with the one I have handy.  One thing I was a little surprised about was the relative ease with which the cam sprocket bolt came undone without the proper Audi tools (several sharp whacks with a hammer to loosen.) 

Thanks and Happy New Year!

Jim Fleischer
’95 urS6 avant 193K