Oil light and knocking

[farrerj]

Hi guys, I've got an A6 avant 1.8T 2001 102,000 miles, just come back from manchester UK with my car on the back of an AA van. First trip on the motorway and I would really appreciate your thoughts before I part with any cash.

I've had the car a couple of months and it's been good. I was travelling to the manchester UK, around 70 when the oil light came on. I stopped at the nearest garage and stuck additional oil in, to no avail. The oil light came on again, followed by a loud tappit noise. I'm thinking the oil light might have been oil pressure.

I managed to get the car home, but I'm wondering what I should do? and I'd like to get a handle on what the problem might be. I heard of the oil jets getting blocked, and starving the engine of oil or something.
Is this going to be an engine replacement, how do I know the engine is knackered?

[mhobson]

Sounds like your oil pump may have failed, and it may now need a new pump, crank grind and new bearing shells. If ever the oil light comes on especially with an engine knock, drop the clutch immediately, coast to the hard shoulder, stop the engine and get it towed to a garage. It happened to me once, not with an Audi, I did the above and only needed the pump.

Wish you the best of luck,

Michael

[lonky]

definatly sounds like the oil pump has died, though could be feed pipe issue.

However if you drove with the oil light on, then would expect a major engine rebuild

Engines start to wear within seconds of oil pressue going, and in no time you will have cooked the big ends which will give a large metallic knocking sound shortly followed by a bang as they exit the engine.