My 1999 Audi A4 Quattro 1.8T ran low on oil yesterday as I was driving it to work. The car has always ran with synthetic oil. After work, I replenished the engine with Castrol synthetic 5W-40 oil before driving three miles to my house.The engine began to make a loud ticking/clicking sound as I drove home. When I started the car this morning, it continued to make the same sound. I idled for a few minutes, and attempted to drive the car to my local mechanic to get the problem diagnosed. The car stopped running less than a quarter of a mile from my house. It will not start again. It appears the battery is dead. The engine has just under 133,000 miles on it. The timing belt was replaced less than 10,000 miles ago. Do you have any ideas as to what the issue may be? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

The ticking sounds like the lifters. Does the sound come and go? Does it get pretty loud? For the dying, not sure what to tell you. I'd guess the alternator, but that's strange how this is all happening at the same time.

 

Thanks for your reply. The sound was pretty loud, and it was constant. It turns out I will have to replace the engine. I got a decent deal for the part/labor, so I am pretty happy. I look forward to getting back behind the wheel of my A4. Thanks again.