I was on my way home last night when my car started to sputter. Tried giving more gas to make the car downshift and when I did the car just stalled...I was on the interstate doing about 80mph when this happened.

The sputtering only lasted for a few seconds before the car stalled.

I pulled off the road and tried to restart - car won't start. When I turn the key it only makes a whirring/buzzing sound, has electrical power (radio/windows/etc). Had to have the car towed to a shop last night but they won't even know they have the car 'till tomorrow (Monday).

The car does have an oil leak that I haven't had a chance to fix yet. Ironically 10 miles before I stopped and bought oil and a oil filter. Also I did smell gas one time but that was probably a month ago and haven't smelled it since.

Car is a '98 A6 Quattro - 2.8l 30v - 191,xxx miles. I purchased the car back in Aug/Sept and have no idea when the tb/wp was serviced last.

I recently replaced the front brakes and ignition switch.

Can anybody help me out? Thanks!

 

Sounds like maybe a gas issue. Now you didn't just run out of gas, did you? (have to check!)

 

nope - had .25 tank left

 

Have you ever replaced the fuel filter? If you have an old filter, or worse... the original one, gas won't flow, and it will also put a strain on your fuel pump and ruin it.

 

Could be a fuel pump, but they usually show up as a hard to start issue. Sputtering then dying on the freeway could be so many things that we cannot possibly analyze it here.

Good luck,

Bob

 

apparently it's the tb.

 

Ohhhh!

Might consider to have it as parts car....

 

What's the car worth as it sits? And are you interested?

 

Ouch!

Bob

 

The decision to fix or sell is very complicated and depends upon many other factors. Likewise what a sick Audi is worth varies with the situation.

As a guideline – a 98 A6 Q with 190K in good condition is worth around $1,500 to $3,000 if you can find the right person. The IF can be big. I’ve seen seemingly good Audi’s like yours go for as little as $800 and as much as $3500, but they were extremes. The high end machine was near perfect with a recent TB change and almost new tires and the guy that bought the $800 machine stole it.

High mileage mid 90’s A6’s with good front ends (Good bumpers, hoods, and fenders are important) and trashed motors (ie TB) bring around $600 to $1000 at a junk yard that deals with Audis but other yards are a crap shoot.

I usually assume that if a mid 90’s Audi in decent condition has one big problem (or a group of small problems) that can be fixed for $1000 to $1500 it is worth fixing. Beyond that it becomes an emotional issue.

Remember – car payments can be around $200 to $500 a month (OK more) so spending $1200 to fix a vehicle is the same as 6 months of $200 payments.