schreier_usmc

So I got my first Audi yesterday. Not exactly what I was looking for, actually wasnt looking for a car at all... but had a buddy who needed some help. I got a 2003 A4 3.0 Quattro with 179k miles for $2000 bucks. I know it has a lot of miles... so it worries me a little but he had the timing belt / chain (not sure which it has) and AWD serviced. Seems to run ok. Doesnt leak fluid, doesnt overheat, ac is ice cold, awd works. He did say if he doesnt religously get the Oil changed at 3000 miles the oil light will come on, said it wont do it if the oil is changed, so I imagine its burning some.

Any thoughts or advice?

Thanks all.

schreier_usmc

No advice on the burning of oil, thats what Im really pondering.

schreier_usmc

?

Pothole5000

Most cars do as they age.

Mine is a 1.8t and I need to add about 1/4 of a quart between changes (5000 miles).

As long as you use Audi approved synthetic I'm sure you are good to go every 5k as the maintaince minder does, just add some oil between.

lyleswk

Which oil light? The Oil Level (Yellow) or Oil Pressure (Red)? Assume it is the Level light.

One quart every 3K miles is perfectly fine on a car with that many miles. The general rule of thumb that I use is it doesn't need addressing until you are using a quart every 1K miles.

And, agree with pothole: only use Audi recommended synthetic.

Highmile

Pull your spark plugs on each cylinder. Check them over. Let us know if you notice anything abnormal. If there is oil in the spark plug wells change your valve cover gaskets. Check your dipstick frequently and carry an extra quart in the car with you. Congratulations and enjoy your new Audi!

schreier_usmc

So after some research and finally getting the car on the lift to investigate. It seems the pass side valve cover gasket is leaking. I figured it was burning it because I didn't see anything dripping or any spots of any kind but I can see it from underneath the car. So it looks like I need to do the valve cover gasket(s). I imagine I need to search for a thread on that as I'm sure there is one.

schreier_usmc

It's the yellow oil light.

Highmile

How do your plugs look?
If I were you, I would change both valve cover gaskets. It's easy enough, just be careful removing brittle PCV tubes. And on the driver's side valve cover, the T30 bolt in the lower rear corner is a PITA. I bent a torx screw driver and went a quarter turn at a time.