Low oil pressure warning, going to the dealer

[Stubek]

On my way to work, got a warning that said, "Shut off engine, oil pressure too low." Car getting towed now to the dealer.

My car idled in the driveway for about 5 minutes this morning while I scraped ice off (28* out).
I then drove about 3 miles and sat idling while I waited 5 minutes for a friend.
By this time the temp gauge was at normal operating temp.
Then 5 minutes down the road, got the warning, we pulled over, shut down, waited 2 minutes.
Restarted, went about 5 more minutes. Got the warning, stopped again.
Restarted, got almost to work and about 100 yards from my parking lot, got it again.

All the time the oil temp was 199-201, MMI shows full, dip stick shows full (topped off about 2 weeks ago).

[rennsport]

Mmm...... doesn't sound good you got the warning 3 times after shut downs and start-ups. Hopefully just a false sensor of small piece of debris in the sensor. Good you proceeded cautiously when you got the light-probably minimized any damage to engine if it was truly low on pressure. Hope that your dealer is reputable, I don't trust the techs at mine(I have good reason). Good luck!

[Stubek]

Ok, got to say Audi Road Side Assistance was awesome. They arranged a tow for me, called me back to tell me the company, driver, and driver's phone number, then called again to make sure the truck was there at the right time.

After we got to the dealer, my SA (Casey at Steven's Creek Audi is awesome) was waiting and told me Audi Road Side Assistance had called her to let her know I was coming, then called again to confirm I was on my way.

Only TSBs not done on my car yet are coils so they will do that while its there. Hopefully they can fix tomorrow and have the part in stock, but my luck is they will have to order it and then get it Wednesday or Thursday.

Only bad part in all of this is I have a 2013 A4 loaner, but it is only a premium, no nav, no back up camera, not even bi-xenon headlights, no Audi LED DRLs

[avant-grd]

Ok, got to say Audi Road Side Assistance was awesome. They arranged a tow for me, called me back to tell me the company, driver, and driver's phone number, then called again to make sure the truck was there at the right time.

After we got to the dealer, my SA (Casey at Steven's Creek Audi is awesome) was waiting and told me Audi Road Side Assistance had called her to let her know I was coming, then called again to confirm I was on my way.

Only TSBs not done on my car yet are coils so they will do that while its there. Hopefully they can fix tomorrow and have the part in stock, but my luck is they will have to order it and then get it Wednesday or Thursday.

Only bad part in all of this is I have a 2013 A4 loaner, but it is only a premium, no nav, no back up camera, not even bi-xenon headlights, no Audi LED DRLs

I had very similar experience with my 2011 Avant. Typically, pressure reducing valve in oil pump is a culprit. Sometimes it gets stuck in open position and dumps oil, so oil pressure is very low and insufficient to properly lubricate engine parts.
If service will determine that that is the case and the oil pump (valve or not) is the problem, request engine inspection for excessive wear. Note that the first thing the goes in engine if it is oil-starved is bearings in connecting rods. These are not easy to check – require partial engine dis-assembly.
If Audi determines that there is excessive engine wear, request to replace engine under warranty.
Good luck.

[Stubek]

Now I'm scared. Hope it is just a sensor and not the pump. I only have 29k miles, so hopefully no problems getting anything covered.

[Stubek]

Dealer called today, never got a chance to look at it today...another day in the loaner

[Stubek]

Couple calls with the dealer yesterday, it is most likely oil pump.
Ugh

[TCHUN003]

Geez that's scary. Luckily you're still stock and under warranty.

[Stubek]

Yupj. Need to call back today and have them check for premature wear

[Stubek]

Oil pump ordered, will be here on Monday, so get my car back on Tuesday.
They say I still had oil pressure, that the warning came on because the car was just at the threshold for low and according to logs, it never really got low. I did not get exact numbers, but it was something like the sensor will give you the low pressure warning if you drop below 10 psi and it dropped to 9.9 psi. I only drove about 3 miles, so they said they are not worried.

As a bonus, the loaner got upgraded to an A6 3.0T premium plus

[Stubek]

For Christmas, AoA is giving me a new engine...
They pulled the oil pan on Wednesday to replace the oil pump and found chunks of metal.

Ouch. That motor lasted just over 29k miles.


So, what are things I need to double check when I pick up the car in a week or so?

[TCHUN003]

Thought u were APR stage 1?

[Stubek]

Nope, no tune on this car, thank god

[TCHUN003]

Nope, no tune on this car, thank god

omg, could you imagine if you had to pay out of pocket?! I don't know what I would do.

[avant-grd]

For Christmas, AoA is giving me a new engine...
They pulled the oil pan on Wednesday to replace the oil pump and found chunks of metal.

Ouch. That motor lasted just over 29k miles.


So, what are things I need to double check when I pick up the car in a week or so?

Is AoA offred to replace entire engine or just “short block” (no head, etc.). If it is short block, ask to inspect camshaft and rockers for wear. If scratches found on contact surfaces, AoA will have to replace head as well.

[Stubek]

They said they are doing full engine which is why it is going to take another two weeks.

I did ask if I could pay the difference and get an S4 engine put in. I know it would need new ECU, exhaust, radiator and a few other things, but they said no.

[avant-grd]

S4 has 3.0L V6 supercharged engine vs. 2.0L inline turbo we have. Even if Audi would agree to your proposition, it would cost you arm and the leg, way more than $$ difference between S4 and A4 cars. Take AoA good offer and enjoy your almost brand new car.

[Stubek]

Yeah, I know there is a lot more than just the motor. I know someone who bought a totaled A4 avant that was nailed on the front end and a totaled S4 sedan nailed on the rear and did the S4 motor transplant into the Avant.
Honestly, it is not "that expensive."
Audi told me the difference in engines was only about $1,200. Figure exhaust for $1500, radiator for $750, maybe $2,500 in other stuff. Labor, they are already taking out the motor.

Worth a shot to not have to mod the car. Would love to do a tune, but the TD1 risk is not worth it.

[Stubek]

Well, got her back yesterday. Tech swapped engines in just under three full days of work (assuming they worked full day on Christmas Eve) which impresses me.
So far, sounds fine and is smooth, but need to do a 500 mile break in.

Thanks AoA for the Christmas present.

[avant-grd]

For about 500 – 1000 miles don’t drive on freeway with constant speed and what is even more critical, do not push hard, above 4000 rpm, especially from stop.

[Stubek]

Totally agree. Keeping it under 3,000 rpm for the first 250 and shifting gears manually every 60 seconds or so. After that, I'll start going to 4,000 RPM for 250, then 5,000 for 250, then slowly start driving normally.

[Stubek]

Well, here is a sad turn of events.
I got the car back on the 26th and drove it to work the next day. Left it parked at work for a week while I was on vacation.
Picked it up at work this Monday morning, drove home Monday after noon, to and from work on Tuesday, to work on Wednesday.

Wednesday went out for lunch and just randomly checked the oil level in MMI and I was down a full quart. Thought sensor must be bad, went to check my oil with MY dipstick I had bought and installed.

They forgot to transfer the dipstick to the new engine. So, I drove to Audi, they checked, and I was actually down a quart. I had driven 97 miles total!

So, after having the new engine for 97 miles, I was down 1 Qt. I checked where my car sat for a week and there is no obvious leak there. From a quick look under the hood I don't see oil spilling out anywhere.

Audi is going to check if my old engine is still there for my dipstick today...

[jadedx2]

Sorry to hear about the problems, at least it's being taken care of under warranty. Did the SA give you any hassle over the HFC and FMIC?

[TCHUN003]

Geez, sorry to hear that. Hope everything gets straightened out. Hope they just didn't initially put enough oil in and it's not an issue with consumption.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

Sorry to hear! I just had to put and oil pump in my B6. Was driving to work and my red oil light started flashing at me. Pulled over, shut it down,checked oil level and it was good. Figured it might have been a fluke so I started it back up and drove about 200 feet. Light came back, shut it down immediately and called a tow truck. $992.08 was the bill, had them first do a pressure check to be sure it wasn't just a bad sensor but pressure was actually low on the mechanical gauge. Put a new sensor in since we had one in stock and it was not that expensive so I picked it up hoping for the best. Next step was to drop the pan and inspect the pick up. It was only slightly clogged and I could have gotten away with just cleaning it but since you're already paying for the labor might as well replace the pump while your there for peace of mind.

Cold temps seam to wreak havoc on oil pumps from Audi lol.

Jason

[avant-grd]

Feel bad about your problem. Re-manufactured engine?

[Stubek]

Sorry to hear about the problems, at least it's being taken care of under warranty. Did the SA give you any hassle over the HFC and FMIC?

No prob with HFC or FMIC. They asked if I had a tune and I said no, that is why I have CEL for HFC. No other issue.

Sorry to hear! I just had to put and oil pump in my B6. Was driving to work and my red oil light started flashing at me. Pulled over, shut it down,checked oil level and it was good. Figured it might have been a fluke so I started it back up and drove about 200 feet. Light came back, shut it down immediately and called a tow truck. $992.08 was the bill, had them first do a pressure check to be sure it wasn't just a bad sensor but pressure was actually low on the mechanical gauge. Put a new sensor in since we had one in stock and it was not that expensive so I picked it up hoping for the best. Next step was to drop the pan and inspect the pick up. It was only slightly clogged and I could have gotten away with just cleaning it but since you're already paying for the labor might as well replace the pump while your there for peace of mind.

Cold temps seam to wreak havoc on oil pumps from Audi lol.

Jason

Mine was before the cold snap and here we never got below freezing, so certainly not cold related.

Feel bad about your problem. Re-manufactured engine?

New new new, no re-man and a full long block which is awesome.

Just hope its not burning or leaking and they just did not fill it with enough oil.

[Stubek]

Not sure if still burning oil, only put about 50 miles on it and most the time the drives are short, so MMI won't let me see the oil level. Hope to check it on the way home from work tonight.
On the other hand, I got a overnight UPS box yesterday from Audi. Wasn't sure what it was, but then when I opened it, it was a red audi over the shoulder messenger bag with a hand written note saying thank you for being a customer and thanks for my patience during engine replacement.

Go Audi!