Is it me or is the dipstick really hard to read?
02-15-2009, 05:58 AM
#1
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Is it me or is the dipstick really hard to read?
I bought a 2002 A6 avant with the 3.0 V6 recently. The only way I can read the oil level on the dipstick is to lay it on a piece of paper towel and see where the oil absorbs onto the paper.
Also - the radio has started momentarily cutting in and out - the power will cut off, then restart immediately.
Any suggestions where to look ?
Also - the radio has started momentarily cutting in and out - the power will cut off, then restart immediately.
Any suggestions where to look ?
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02-15-2009, 12:53 PM
#8
AudiWorld Senior Member
Yes, worst dipstick I've ever had!
We've talked about this before. I hold mine up to the light - I'm damned if it's dark, or a cloudy day.
02-15-2009, 02:15 PM
#10
AudiWorld Super User
depends...use spectrometric oil analysis before you say never.
a few parameters to check:
TBN
wear metal ppm
% C solids
Various suppliers of oil analysis kits, amsoil for one, ana-labs in NJ for another.
FWIW, a well-sealed (another matter) N/A engine, not turbocharged or supercharged, can generally go 15-25K or one year without oil change, especially the large crankcase variety like the 4.2. I prefer to change oil on the 02 S6 at 8500, same as the 00 4.2 only because I lose track of oil changes with two cars...the service reminder helps. Change the filter too. Anyway, our 00 4.2 A6 w/8500 oil changes, amsoil 15W-40 oil, OEM oil filters, doesn't use any oil between changes (lately it's down to the add oil mark...one quart low, so one quart used in 8500 miles) and the oil still meets spectrometric oil analysis parameters for extended oil changes...especially if a quart of makeup oil is used to replenish the oil additives. If I were really **** I'd use a polishing media filter (amsoil makes one) and put out oil changes to 100K miles...yes, you have to change main oil filter and secondary filters but the oil itself (plus makeup oil) doesn't get changed unless you have a seal or contamination leak.
sure, it's easiest to just change oil every 8500 miles and be done with it. BTW...the oil on my 00 4.2A6 looks very close to the same color as when it went in.
TBN
wear metal ppm
% C solids
Various suppliers of oil analysis kits, amsoil for one, ana-labs in NJ for another.
FWIW, a well-sealed (another matter) N/A engine, not turbocharged or supercharged, can generally go 15-25K or one year without oil change, especially the large crankcase variety like the 4.2. I prefer to change oil on the 02 S6 at 8500, same as the 00 4.2 only because I lose track of oil changes with two cars...the service reminder helps. Change the filter too. Anyway, our 00 4.2 A6 w/8500 oil changes, amsoil 15W-40 oil, OEM oil filters, doesn't use any oil between changes (lately it's down to the add oil mark...one quart low, so one quart used in 8500 miles) and the oil still meets spectrometric oil analysis parameters for extended oil changes...especially if a quart of makeup oil is used to replenish the oil additives. If I were really **** I'd use a polishing media filter (amsoil makes one) and put out oil changes to 100K miles...yes, you have to change main oil filter and secondary filters but the oil itself (plus makeup oil) doesn't get changed unless you have a seal or contamination leak.
sure, it's easiest to just change oil every 8500 miles and be done with it. BTW...the oil on my 00 4.2A6 looks very close to the same color as when it went in.