I mentionned this bulletin to my dealership and they did not seem to know anything about it. However they said that there was a recall to replace the crankcase ventilation valve and replaced it. Is this the replacement that needs to be done to solve the abnormal oil consumption problem? If not, can you give me the number of the Audi bulletin that describes the problem? Thanks.

 

And then he's gone. He had been a great help, hope he'll come back soon.

 

What's a reasonable service life for the light bulbs on my 2003 A4?

I've had to replace the Left & Right Headlights, Left Front turn signal, both the left & right rear tail/brake lights, the rear fog light, and the right and the left front fog lights. I've spent more than $350 replacing light bulbs. Of course the real cost is the time it takes getting repaired.

I love the car - it runs great, but this irritant is a real puzzle. Any advice?

 

$350 for bulbs only???? Am I missing something here? Is it the labour charge, parts cost or the frequency? No way a vehicle will use $350 worth of light bulbs. (other than the XXenon bulbs, which should last a few thousand hours.

 

$365k includes installation and taxes. The rear taillights are not too bad at about $32. The turn signals and foglights, however are over $60 each. I've now replaced all the factory bulbs and one taillight/brake light has been replaced twice. I wouldn't begrudge any bulb to fail fail in five years, but ALL of them?

 

That's really strange, all at the same time. I hope they didn't give you used bulbs.
On an other note, I wouldn't take my car to a garage to change my bulbs for my car. Just like I wouldn't call an electrician to change my light bulbs for my house. There's nothing to it. I'm sure it's in the owner's manual too. I think (I've never called for a quote) dealer or garage will over charge you for the bulb also on top of their labour. I think I pay 99 cents for 1156, 1157. $7.99 for H1 and H7. $2.99 for an H3. For 80-100 shop rate per hour (depends on where you go) I guess $365 is possible if they charge you premium for bulbs. To me it's too much and I'm sure anyone on this board will help you out if you need to change bulbs. I know I would if your only option is to go to a garage to do it.

 

#1 (permalink)
Corie
Junior Member

Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Los angeles
Posts: 1

Audi Details
Year: 2003
Model: a4 1.8
Transmission: Tiptronic
Color: black

Why do I have to add oil?
003 Audi A4 1.8 Turbo / Sedan. 66,600 miles.
I have my car serviced at the dealership only. I have it it serviced by the book , so to speak.

Last night my min.oil light came on and I added 3/4 of a bottle. Light went off and the level seems fine, when I check the stick.
It has not had an oil change in about 6 months or more.

It was recently at the dealer in November.
One morning I got in the car and drove maybe 2 miles from the house when my check engine light started flashing, car started chugging along..I immediately pulled over and called AAA to have it towed to the dealership.

(I have had problems with the check engine light coming on a few times, but never noticed a change in the cars driving performance, unlike this time around.
The past times the check engine light would come on were all due to different problems that I cannot remember exactly what it ended up being over right now).
*In this case it ended up being the ignition coil. They also replaced both front turn signals which had gone out within two weeks prior.
I asked them to do an oil change while they had it there and was told it did not need one.
Three days after getting the car back the right turn signal went out again..and comes on here and there. I called the dealership after getting the car back from the ignition coil being replaced and my bulbs, due to the right turn signal going out three days later.

After adding oil last night, my turn signal stared working again and has been so far all of today.

Basically, this is the second time the MIN OIL LIGHT has come on since i have had the vehicle. The first time was probably 7 months into first having the car. Which after taking it in to the dealer was given oil and filter change.

The first time it happened I took it in and they did an oil change and checked it for leaks. There were no leaks and hasn't happened since then until last night.

It is NOT burning oil, nor does it appear to have any leaks that I have noticed.

Basically, I have to question why the car would be needing oil to the point that the light would come on considering it is serviced by the book and was not in need of an oil change 2 months ago.

Needless to say it is going into the dealership a.s.a.p.

I'd love to hear any feedback concerning problems as these.

 

I find a contradiction in your story in the sense of the oil – light on, level low but the engine does not burn oil.

If the oil is not burnt (in the combustion) then you have a leak down the road => turbo!!!
Oil consumption means oil consumption for me.
If not – you have another case of an Audi related metaphysics.

 

What do you mean by other related Audi metaphysics.

I appreciate your help.
I have a lot of problems with the service department at Keys Audi in Van Nuys, Ca. Which is where I purchased the car and have had it serviced there only.
Every time it goes in, I end up having to return it a second time to actually get it done right.
I have reported them the the Audi Corporation due to my frustrations.
They tried to get me for 1600. once when I took it in for an oil change and a front head light. They found a problem they said was damaged by an outside influence. a mechanism that is housed inside it's own box. they sang me a song that it could of been a bump i went over or rat chewed a wire, ect. Three different possibilities according to them..meaning three different types of damage. when i asked which one it was, i got no straight answer
Said my tye end rods were frozen..they werent.- my car was drivable and i wasnt having problems.
They saw I had new tires and were checking it for a possible alignment and told me there was a bolt that would need to be removed to do an alignment that 'could' break and was a 600.00 bolt.
I talked to the service manager and after he looked at the service records on my car said they were the ones that had more than likely damaged the mechanisim due to work that was done around it in a past service. I had my dash computer replaced.
He said my tye end rods werent frozen, just a term they use.
All in all - none of what they were trying to get me to pay for was even an issue to my car.
The final bill at the end of the day was 120.00 for the oil change and bulb... a far cry from what the service rep was going for.
It sucks; I felt safe and secure having Audi service my car. To end up going through that had and has left me very uneasy.
It is under its extended warranty.

Back to oil thing: I was told when I talked to the service department when making an appointment to take it in and get an oil change; that it because it is a turbo- due to some vacuum used by the way the turbo works it will go through oil like that.
Is there any truth to this?
I have babied my baby, so to speak. I refer to the manual for answers over warning lights and what they mean when they appear. I stop driving immediately and have it towed in.
I am frustrated that my car was just in to get both front turn signal replaced & requested an oil change while they had it.. and was told it didnt need it at that time. Three days later the right front turn bulb went out.
Now the min oil light and adding oil.. the light went out after I added the oil.

I have an appointment Wednesday.
ANY ADVICE FOR ME UP AGAIST THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHEN I GO????
Thank you for your help and thoughts.
Sorry for the short novel i just typed out for you
-Corie

 

I too have an 03' a4 1.8 turbo. I have had to replace both front head lamps and front turn signals and both rear breaking bulbs too. Recently, it was both front turn signal bulbs.. and three days after having it back the right turn bulb went out.
Mine is going in for and oil change and this bulb this week.
Some one once told me if they are all put in at the same time they are probably going to burn out at the same time, but I too question why they dont seem to have a long life span.
Maybe,in your case it is an electrical short or problem?
My mom has a 2001 Ford Explorer and has never had to change one bulb!
I'll let you know what I find out this week when I get an answer about my own bulb problem!
-Corie