stagger

Hi folks got a chance to buy a 1997 A4 149,000 on it automatic problem is whinning noise from the back of tranny also oil light flicks on and off any ideas.Also great price.Thanks in advance

stagger

Anybody any help

marcj

Flickering oil light suggest you have bad oil pressure. I assume you've checked the oil level and you're OK, right? Could be there is engine sludge (do a Google search for more info).

Tranny noise: you don't mention if you have quattro but if yes, and if the noise happens when you're driving, it could be the rear or center differential, both of which need periodic fluid changes.

stagger

It is a Quattro any other causes for the oil pressure problem also the noise sounds like dry power steering pump but its not.Thanks for your reply

dsq

if you are really set on this car, i would suggest bringing it to your mechanic and see what else needs fixing. chances are, you won't just be fixing the 2 obvious issues for now, things such as timing belt, water pump, etc etc are also due at this mileage.

whoace

At 149K, the timing belt should have been done already. Oil issue sounds like sludge to me. Was the previous owner using the bigger filters and full synthetic oil. B5's are notorious for sludging up. Hopefully, the issue is not so bad that you need to replace your oil pump.

As for tranny noise, try replacing the fluids first (or dumping some Lucas Tranny Conditioner). What makes you say the noise is from the tranny?

stagger

How do I get rid of the slugde sounds like the noise is from around the torque converter.Thanks

marcj

Sludge typically builds up in the engine's crankcase due to using non-synthetic oil and infrequent change intervals. The key symptom is low oil pressure and eventually, complete engine failure. You won't get noises specifially from the tranny, differential or TC because of engine sludge. I think this problem is more likely to do with needing to change your tranny or differential oil.

Also: looks like you have a manual so there's no torque converter, just a regular old clutch.

stagger

This one is auto it is in mint condition inside and out for 2500 just wondering if it worth it waiting on a reply on weather it is quattro or not I thought it was also waiting to see if it had timing belt etc. done.The only real problem for me is that I would have to tow it four hours I would like to buy it for my wife at 2500 hundred I could spend a bit on it I have the 1996 a4 quattro manual.Thanks for the reply need all the help I could get.

marcj

It could be that "a bit" of money to fix it up will become "a lot". You could be looking at $4000 to replace the whole tranny if that's what's wrong. The fix for sludge is a new oil pump, oil lines, or possibly replacing the engine entirely if that doesn't resolve it. A new differential is much less though.

So, my opinion is unless you're in a position where you can invest up to $5000 to get it perfect then you should give it a pass. Here in Ontario at least, you can get a pretty good condition '97-98 like this for ~$5000 so it's worth holding out for one that doesn't make funny noises.