Engine knock / low oil pressure warning

[boonkauc]

Today I started my car after it had been sitting for about a week (out of town for work). It's been really cold here the past week, around 10 degrees F the whole week.

It cranked ok, a little slow just due to temperature, but it did fire up. Immediately, I noticed the engine was loud, basically sounded like a big honking diesel.

I let it idle for about 30 seconds, then started to go. Noticed less power than normal, and about 10 seconds later, the low oil pressure warning came up on screen. Immediately pulled back into the spot and turned the car off.

It's going to be warmer here on monday, around 40 degrees F, but I'm not sure I should even attempt to start the car again. Basically, I'm worried that something could be seriously wrong with the oil system and I don't want to risk any damage to it (hopefully none has been done so far).

I plan on getting it into the shop ASAP, but I'm hoping someone could point me in the direction of what it might be.

2006 2.0T 6MT, around 145k miles.

Thanks.

[Audi_509]

Have you checked the oil level? How about the engine or ground for signs of oil?

[DRAKLORE]

Have you checked the oil level? How about the engine or ground for signs of oil?

^^^ Some men just want to watch the world burn

OP, there's a ORANGE ROUND handle on the right of the engine. After the engine has been run for a second. Turn off the motor... And clean off the dipstick and reinstall, pull it back put and read the level..

After all we have a DIY to replace taillight bulbs haha

[Inked]

^^^ Some men just want to watch the world burn

OP, there's a ORANGE ROUND handle on the right of the engine. After the engine has been run for a second. Turn off the motor... And clean off the dipstick and reinstall, pull it back put and read the level..

After all we have a DIY to replace taillight bulbs haha

I was going to type something like this and just got too lazy LMAO....

oil light = prob need to check oil DUH!!!

[boonkauc]

Yes, I'm not a moron. I checked the oil, it's at the correct level. No signs of leakage underneath.

[boonkauc]

[Inked]

Yes, I'm not a moron. I checked the oil, it's at the correct level. No signs of leakage underneath.

Haha, you have to include that in your original post man LOL. We are used to reading atleast 3-4 threads a day like that....

[boonkauc]

Yeah, I understand. I just assumed that would be taken for granted, but I suppose when you see enough posts like that, you have to assume.

At any rate, I'm not sure if the short video helps, I know these engines are inherently noisy, but I've owned the car since day 1 and it's never sounded like this.

Just looking for any easy things to investigate before I crack open the wallet.

[SHAKING STEVENS]

dont want to scare you but it that sounds bad, real bad. it sounds like severe oil starvation, either from a) a blocked oil pump strainer or b) a failed oil pump. That sounds like a total bag of spanners. Im no expert but i think if u had the oil system pressure tested this would confirm it. Im looking at having mine tested now (since my camchain tensioner is noisy but knowhere near as bad as yours) and on the b6 there is an oil pressure test port the gargage can tap into (located on top of the oil filter housing). I think yours is a b7 model so it might be different. Sorry to hear of your woes.

again im no expert but it looks cold where you are, you could try putting some thin oil in it before starting it again for someone, then again that sounds warrants just taking the sump off to have the oil pump inspected/oil system examined for a major blockage. I think engine damage may have already occured to some degree but someone else can back this up.

[Charles.waite]

WHat color is the oil light? Cause if its red, you're probably already fucked. If your oil level is ok, then the light means low oil PRESSURE, which is VERY catastrophic and could mean your engine is already toast.

Sorry?

[jmarch1122]

WHat color is the oil light? Cause if its red, you're probably already fucked. If your oil level is ok, then the light means low oil PRESSURE, which is VERY catastrophic and could mean your engine is already toast.

Sorry?

The dash lights vary somewhat between model years. On my 05 I do not get a low oil warning, jus a OIL MIN light, and thats orange not red, so I don't have a red oil related light.

Pretty sure your oil pump died, and you might already have have engine damage. Depends on how much you ran the car. Scan for codes if you can to confirm its oil pressure.

[Charles.waite]

The dash lights vary somewhat between model years. On my 05 I do not get a low oil warning, jus a OIL MIN light, and thats orange not red, so I don't have a red oil related light.

Pretty sure your oil pump died, and you might already have have engine damage. Depends on how much you ran the car. Scan for codes if you can to confirm its oil pressure.

A rule of thumb, a yellow/orange indicator = not good. A red indicator = VERY BAD. Like stop driving immediately and get a tow home bad...

Unless its just the red indicator when you leave your ebrake on. That just means you're a dunce...

[yanakabb]

i had the same exact problem

[Junaid]

i had the same exact problem

What's the solution????!?!?!? OP has been wondering for the past 2 years.

[vwnobby]

I had the same issue (just posted about it). Car sat for 2 days in single digit temps. Low Oil Pressure light came on only when I started driving. I pulled back into the driveway, checked the oil level. Then let it idle for about 5-10 minutes. No light since then. Could have been condensation frozen somewhere, oil too think to circulate, sensor was screwy from low temps... who knows. I just let it warm up a bit before I start driving and the light hasn't come back on. I ordered a new Oil Pressure sensor just in case it happens again. This way I can rule out if the issue is with the sensor or not.

[yanakabb]

Just happened two days ago, haven't fix it yet. Planning to tow it to the nearest dealership.

[yanakabb]

The oil pressure symbol came out 2 days ago but didn't come out today when I started my car. But there's unusual ticking/knocking rattling noise from the engine. I'm planning to get it towed to the nearest dealership see what happen

[diond]

Just happened two days ago, haven't fix it yet. Planning to tow it to the nearest dealership.

Same thing for me few weeks ago, when it was very cold outside (-13 deg F). I have inspected all the engine (oil pan, balance shaft module with oil pump, cams, cam timing chain, etc.) to make sure engine is OK. Everything is in perfect condition. I had also check my oil pressure (60 PSI @ 2000 RPM), right within specs.

There is certainly something going on with oil pressure vs cold temperature on B7, but I still don't know what it is......

[diond]

The oil pressure symbol came out 2 days ago but didn't come out today when I started my car. But there's unusual ticking/knocking rattling noise from the engine. I'm planning to get it towed to the nearest dealership see what happen

If your oil pressure light remains ON, you must definitely avois to run the engine and check your oil pressure.

[Junaid]

The oil pressure symbol came out 2 days ago but didn't come out today when I started my car. But there's unusual ticking/knocking rattling noise from the engine. I'm planning to get it towed to the nearest dealership see what happen

Have you been driving with the light on? There have been a couple of members on here who got the light because it was too cold out. Yours could be similar; try parking it in a warm garage and see.

[yanakabb]

I had the same issue (just posted about it). Car sat for 2 days in single digit temps. Low Oil Pressure light came on only when I started driving. I pulled back into the driveway, checked the oil level. Then let it idle for about 5-10 minutes. No light since then. Could have been condensation frozen somewhere, oil too think to circulate, sensor was screwy from low temps... who knows. I just let it warm up a bit before I start driving and the light hasn't come back on. I ordered a new Oil Pressure sensor just in case it happens again. This way I can rule out if the issue is with the sensor or not.

Was there rattling noise from your engine?
Should I start the car and let it idle for couple minutes? See if the noise will goes away

[diond]

Was there rattling noise from your engine?
Should I start the car and let it idle for couple minutes? See if the noise will goes away

There was not rattling noise.

I recommend you to NOT IDLE the engine, because you don't know what is the real oil pressure. You need to put an oil pressure gage and confirm the oil pressure. Don't run the engine until you confirm the pressure is good.

[yanakabb]

So I guess the best way is to tow to the nearest dealership let them figure out

[diond]

So I guess the best way is to tow to the nearest dealership let them figure out

Yeap. Let me know what they will find.

[yanakabb]

Ok

[yanakabb]

It's been kinda cold the last couple days like around 10F and snowing. My car was parked outside on the driveway for 3 days. When I started my car yesterday I noticed unusual knocking/rattling noise from the engine. After I drove like 200 feet the OIL PRESSURE symbol came out. I pulled the car back to the driveway and turn off the car immediately ( DID NOT DRIVE THE CAR SINCE THEN) . Today I turned on the car twice and let it idle for 30 seconds the symbol did not come out but there's still rattling noise from the engine. Planning to towed to the dealership next week! Finger croxxed!

[DavidAAG]

To answer the question to this engine knock/low oil pressure warning with big bright red display. It means your oil pump chain broke; your engine is done and you need a new engine block. Recently happened to me and same thing happens as it does for everyone as I'm reading here and everywhere else I read. Car still starts and says it's OK in green then after driving 50 feet the oil pressure light turns on. If you continue driving it the car will shut off at one point. Also can't forget the horrendous noise your car makes when it's on. Hope this helps answer the question for the people that experience this in the future and the people that brought this up 2 months ago again.

[diond]

To answer the question to this engine knock/low oil pressure warning with big bright red display. It means your oil pump chain broke; your engine is done and you need a new engine block. Recently happened to me and same thing happens as it does for everyone as I'm reading here and everywhere else I read. Car still starts and says it's OK in green then after driving 50 feet the oil pressure light turns on. If you continue driving it the car will shut off at one point. Also can't forget the horrendous noise your car makes when it's on. Hope this helps answer the question for the people that experience this in the future and the people that brought this up 2 months ago again.

Well, in my case, it was not the oil pump chain. In fact, I have never found what was the root cause of the low oil pressure. I can tell you right now that the car runs perfectly, that low oil pressure alarm never came back and that I have now an oil press gage installed all the time and the pressure is right at 58PSI, which is the pressure value you want to have.