So my girl had the Avant tinted up for me as a 24th BDay gift... It looks beautiful, and I was on my way outside about 15 minutes ago, right after the Patriots went 3 and out, to take a few pictures to show here on Audi-Forums. After all, what is a post about new tint really worth without pictures? So I planned on taking a quick drive over to some tennis courts and snap a few quick pics. I hopped in my car backed out of my spot and as I started driving away I noticed a small oil spot where my car was parked.

THEN IT ALL CAME TOGETHER...

A series of events suddenly culminated at that point.

-Nov 23rd Thanksgiving: It was pouring, but I thought could see oil streaks in the water running under my car, checked my oil, seemed OK, assumed it wasn’t from my car and didn’t care.

-Nov 29th One Week Later: While driving home from an “off-site meeting” at the Naked Fish my “oil level warning” light came on. I pulled off at the next gas station and my oil was right at the bottom of the “full” range. I add a little oil and drove home.

-Nov. 30th While At Work: I ask the former Audi Dealership Site Manager (who is now the site manager at our little Analytical Instruments company) who has also driven Audis his entire life about having to add Oil between Oil changes, and he didn’t seem too surprised about it and I decided to pay more attention to it, still hoping these are all un-related events.

Dec. 3rd Today: Again I see oil under my car, 2 small quarter size puddles.


Anyways, I got underneath and did some investigating. I found the plastic about dead center underneath my engine was soaked in oil. There were little puddles built up on the other side of the plastic, and as they fill up they slowly drip onto the ground. This is all about 1.5 feet deep from the front license plate and pretty much dead center.

Anybody ever see this? The oil level is slightly lower than were it was a week ago, so it is a very slow leak. The car seems to be running fine.

2002 A4 1.8t 5 speed Avant..

Oh and about the tint pictures. I couldn’t bring myself to take pictures of her while she is leaking oil. It just didn’t feel right. Maybe later today, unless the Patriots lose, then I’d be real pissed and def won’t be taking pictures.


Thanks for reading my mini-novel.

 

The valve cover and oil fliter should be looked at first.
If not there, remove the splash shield.

 

Take the skid plate off and do a thorough search.