Was driving the other night on the highway and noticed some smoke coming out the rear of my car. Pulled over at next exit and started smelling a burning odour. When I inspected the underbody of the car, I noticed oil dripping like a **** from somewhere in the engine block. My place was just around the corner so I continued to drive it home. No unusual sounds, no warning lights, no overheating, no warning signs at all!! It was late at night so I decided to check my oil level the next morning. When I did, it was pretty much non-existent. I also noticed a white cream like substance on my dipstick. Had it towed to my mechanic and am waiting for a diagnosis.

So far the consensus is head gasket. If that's the case, it could be an expensive fix. I drive a 2005 A4 Q USP and I'm in love with it. Can't even find one online to replace it. Not sure how much the car is worth anymore, but it has 276K on the engine.

I can't really afford a new car as I have a newborn at home. I like the fact that I don't have a car payment anymore. What do you think I should do? Fix and sell? Fix and keep? Besides the engine issue, she's in almost mint condition. I even have a cousin that can get OEM parts at manufacturers prices. Is it worth the fix or should I say bye bye?

 

Bummer. If it were me, and the body and other mechanicals of the car had been kept in good condition, and it only needed a head gasket, I would probably fix it. It is a fair amount of mileage on the engine, though. I might think about the cost of an engine refresh (timing belt, water pump, valve cleaning, piston rings, plugs, etc) while your mech is in there if you think you'd get a well-working, reliable car out of it. I think you'll need an assessment whether any of the engine mechanicals (pistons, bearings) suffered from oil starvation.

 

If you love the car. And yes the USP is very nice, (actually turning my Avant into a USP lookalike!) why not look at an engine swap. You can find engines pretty easy. There are lots of cars being parted out now a days due to the age of the b6's. Might even find one thats overhauled already. Just a thought based on your kms.

 

Engine swap will end up costing you $12,000.00, but if the engine started next day than you have to fix the gasket only so $3,000.00