General Audi Discussion All and everything about Audi. If it doesn't fit in a section below, discuss it in here.

anyone on this forum a mechanic?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 02-08-2008, 12:48 PM
  #1  
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Thread Starter
 
Joel929's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 18
Joel929 is on a distinguished road
Default anyone on this forum a mechanic?

1997 A4 B5 model
1.8t with quattro
180,000 km
auto tranny, no tiptronic

here's the history of the problems i've been having

6 weeks ago: oil light comes on while on the highway. took it to mechanic, says the oil pump gave out, replaced it for $400. since then there has been a pinging noise coming from the top of the engine on startup that only lasts about a half a second. mechanic told me this is normal after the oil pump is replaced/after an engine rebuild.

4 weeks ago: temperatures drop to -50 celcius for a week and the car will not start. after cranking for 5 seconds the oil light comes on and starts beeping. when it warmed up for 2 days the car started again, mechanic said there is no problem. take car home and drive it for 1 day. temp drops back down to -50 for another week. car wont start.

2 weeks ago: weather lets up and we've had standard -20 celcius weather. car starts, but pinging noise is still there on startup. after running for 5 minutes the pinging is noticeable again, but not as loud as when the car is started. there is also smoke coming from the passenger side of the engine that is present at startup and then stops after a few minutes (smells like oil).

if you can help me out with any of these problems; pinging noise, not starting in cold, oil smoke from engine, it would be sooo appreciated!! i just bought this car in july and now it hasn't been running since before christmas! this is a DISASTER!
Joel929 is offline  
Old 02-08-2008, 09:24 PM
  #2  
Audi Forum - Posts like an RS4
 
wailshark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Etobicoke
Posts: 864
wailshark is on a distinguished road
Default Re: anyone on this forum a mechanic?

Can you be more specific on the pinging noise? Does it sound like a leak or chattering of valves maybe a boost leak or a loose hose? Any loss of performance?

Not starting could be a lot of things including fuel pump. Is the ECU throwing any codes that you can read and interpret/your mechanic can with a VAG COM?

Oil smoke is likely busted cam seals, they leak oil onto the exhaust headers and then the oil burns up and starts to smell in the cabin.
wailshark is offline  
Old 02-09-2008, 07:20 PM
  #3  
Audi Forum - Posts like an A6
 
Black_RS4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 947
Black_RS4 is on a distinguished road
Default Re: anyone on this forum a mechanic?

the pinging noise might be the lifters not getting enough oil flow at extremely low temperatures
Black_RS4 is offline  
Old 02-10-2008, 08:47 PM
  #4  
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Thread Starter
 
Joel929's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 18
Joel929 is on a distinguished road
Default Re: anyone on this forum a mechanic?

Originally Posted by marko_tomas13
Can you be more specific on the pinging noise? Does it sound like a leak or chattering of valves maybe a boost leak or a loose hose? Any loss of performance?

the "pinging" sounds like a lot of ball bearings hitting a tin roof. sorry if thats not the best description. the sound is very noticeable for .5 of a second at start up and then quites down but is still there.

Not starting could be a lot of things including fuel pump. Is the ECU throwing any codes that you can read and interpret/your mechanic can with a VAG COM?

i'll ask my mechanic what the codes are and get back to you, thanks for the advice!

Oil smoke is likely busted cam seals, they leak oil onto the exhaust headers and then the oil burns up and starts to smell in the cabin.
the smoke seems to be coming from the left side of the engine. could this still be the cam seals? i would expect a cam seal leak to be more at the rear of the engine.
Joel929 is offline  
Old 02-10-2008, 08:48 PM
  #5  
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Thread Starter
 
Joel929's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 18
Joel929 is on a distinguished road
Default Re: anyone on this forum a mechanic?

Originally Posted by marko_tomas13
Can you be more specific on the pinging noise? Does it sound like a leak or chattering of valves maybe a boost leak or a loose hose? Any loss of performance?.
the "pinging" sounds like a lot of ball bearings hitting a tin roof. sorry if thats not the best description. the sound is very noticeable for .5 of a second at start up and then quites down but is still there.

Originally Posted by marko_tomas13
Not starting could be a lot of things including fuel pump. Is the ECU throwing any codes that you can read and interpret/your mechanic can with a VAG COM?.
i'll ask my mechanic what the codes are and get back to you, thanks for the advice!

Originally Posted by marko_tomas13
Oil smoke is likely busted cam seals, they leak oil onto the exhaust headers and then the oil burns up and starts to smell in the cabin.
the smoke seems to be coming from the left side of the engine. could this still be the cam seals? i would expect a cam seal leak to be more at the rear of the engine.
Joel929 is offline  
Old 02-10-2008, 08:50 PM
  #6  
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Thread Starter
 
Joel929's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 18
Joel929 is on a distinguished road
Default Re: anyone on this forum a mechanic?

Originally Posted by Black_RS4
the pinging noise might be the lifters not getting enough oil flow at extremely low temperatures
yeah, i think it might have to do with low oil pressure, but not just at low temps.

what do you guys think about a possible problem with the camchain tensioner?
Joel929 is offline  
Old 02-11-2008, 12:59 AM
  #7  
Audi Forum - Posts like an A6
 
Black_RS4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 947
Black_RS4 is on a distinguished road
Default Re: anyone on this forum a mechanic?

judging the pinging by the 0.5 second description, it has to be the lifters...

the cam is belt driven (timing belt)... it could be leaking oil from the cam seal...
Black_RS4 is offline  
Old 02-12-2008, 10:46 PM
  #8  
iTrader: (1)
 
1move's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: ....
Posts: 2,548
1move is on a distinguished road
Default Re: anyone on this forum a mechanic?

Let us know of any fault codes
1move is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tdot_s4
Performance Parts & Tuning
1
06-17-2006 08:20 PM
Alan
Audi Mailing List
0
06-12-2004 06:01 AM
James P
Audi Mailing List
3
07-07-2003 04:02 AM
Ernest
Audi Mailing List
3
07-06-2003 01:45 PM
Colin M
Audi Mailing List
1
07-06-2003 09:11 AM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: anyone on this forum a mechanic?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:27 AM.