Hi, Im new to these forums. I recently picked up a 98 A4 quatro from our car dealership and wanted to keep it for myself. However it has some problems. It feels really sluggish compared to another A4 we had before. I can hear the turbo spool but it doesnt feel like its getting as much boost as it should. Also the oil pressure light starts flashing ocassionaly, more often when its hot outside but I had it come on at night when its a bit cooler. The valvetrain is a bit more noisy when you do a cold start as well but quiets down when it runs for a minute or two. My mechanic said I might have low compression ( he didnt actually test it though) said it might be the tensioner. I took it to an Audi dealer so they could check it out since it was on recall, but they said it was already replaced and in good shape. I tried listing everything I could remember, think anyone give me some hints as to what this problem might be?
Thanks in advance.

 

I doubt its a tensioner, and thats all I really know. Could be oil sludge, oil pump not working efficiently (or both) etc. You could have the wrong grade of oil, if its too thick your hydrolic lifters will struggle and clap together.

But I really have no friggin clue... Get VAGed.

 

Sounds like low oil pressure if your oil pressure light is coming on. Has anyone checked the pressure?

 

No, not yet but I think im gonna get it checked out either today or tommorow. Any idea what could be causing the low oil pressure? Also today was a cold morning and when I started it up it was running really poorly and the engine light came on.
However after the engine warmed up it was fine but the light stayed on.

 

Low oil pressure many times is caused by a bad oil pump. There was a post about this a few days ago...apparently it's a common problem on the A4. Get it checked quick or you could be in for a new engine.