So I was driving back from San Francisco to Los Angeles tonight when all of a suddent my check oil light came on, then my check engine light. I noticed that my car also lost alot of power (went into limp mode maybe??) So I got off at the next gas station, the oil level seems fine but the engine is making a horrible knocking sound now. Anyway, I am stuck in a hotel for the night since any repair shop in the area is closed. In the morning I can either try and take it to a local place (I am in podunk nowehere, so I dont know if I will trust any place here) or I can have it towed to the nearest audi dealership, which is over 40 miles away... so im looking at ~300$ to tow it that far. Any ideas what it can be??? could it be the oil pump? if so, how much is that going to run me?? any help or suggestions is greatly appreciated!!

Austin

 

maybe the oil pump went out

usually if that goes out, i've seen it lose oil pressure (oil light) and knocking sound.

 

some questions to help us answer your question...

What yr?
Miles?
It it a 1.8t?
Is the oil black?
Do you know if full synthetic oil is used when its changed?
If its a 1.8t, do you know if the updated oil filter has been used on it at every oil change?


It does sound like a failed/struggling oil pump which is normaly caused by sludge build up, and is sort of common with 1.8t's that have not been maintained properly with full syntheitc oil and by using the updated larger oem oil filter and 3k mile oil changes-at most.
Are you the original owner?
Do you have service records from previous owners?
What service (engine related) have you had done if any?

 

It is a 2002 1.8t quattro.

I am the second owner of the car, I have only owned it since last august. I have not had to do any scheduled maintenence on it yet, but I was told that it had all its scheduled maintenence to date. It has less then 40k miles on it...would sludge already be an issue?? The oil on the dipstick looked normal.

 

No I doubt sludge is an issue then... Do you still have some kind of warranty??

 

unfortunately I dont, it ran out in december. How much do you think a oil pump will run me? (assuming thats whats wrong)

 

I know you can get one for a b5 for around $190 is lowest ive seen.. Probably for around that price, a little more... Installation is what would be most of the cost though... If thats really what it is... cant think of what else would be the problem with a oil light though.

 

thats not too bad... would you suggest taking it to an audi dealership? or is that not necessary?

 

yea i wouldnt trust a podunk *** place with my car man.... you could sign up for AAA in the morning and get it towed for free, AAA is the **** when it comes to that stuff

 

Oil pump on my b5 sits behind the timing belt. To get my timing belt changed they wanted to charge me $1000 just in labor at the stealership. Just to give you an idea.