Ok, let me start by saying that I consider myself fairly capable with do-it-yourself projects. I have also changed the oil/filter in all of my previous four cars without major problems. Last night I decided to do my A4 (1.8T) for the first time.

I got OEM filters and gaskets form Clair, 4 quarts of Mobil 1 10w-30, oil drain pan, filter wrench, ramps, and socket wrench all ready to go...

Problem #1 - Engine way too hot. The car had been idle for 1.5 hours and parked in the garage (about 75 degrees). The engine was still too hot to touch and I knew this would be a problem for filter removal. Solution - wait another hour...

Problem #2 - I can touch the engine now. I go to position my ramps in front of the car - ddoohh! clearance (w/sport package) is at least two inches too low. Solution - fortunately, I have a hydraulic jack and I raise the driver side up about 20 inches. Not a lot of room under the car - but it'll have to do.

Problem #3 - I get underneath. SH!T. How the hell do you get to that filter tucked up in the middle of the engine block? The FAQ says to remove the plastic shield but that did not seem to obstruct the path to filter more than the piping and wires. I would have a tough time getting my arm up there much less a socket wrench to torque the filter loose. Solution - ???

Problem #4 - OK. My oil and filter change just became an oil change - simple enough... well, the FAQ is correct, there really are TWO bolts on the bottom of the oil pan. The FAQ says that the forward one is for oil and the rear is for the tranny. But based on the sizing and position, my gut told me otherwise - f*ck! Btw, the owners manual is no help here. Even if I felt like gambling, the bolts have a 'female' pattern so a normal socket or wrench is useless. As a matter of fact, nothing in my arsenal of tools would get the bolt out. Solution - none.

So, at midnight, two and a half hours after beginning my project, I called it a night having accomplished NOTHING. Actually, I did find a small branch wedged into the protective shielding under the car - I removed it successfully - so I was able to fall asleep knowing that it was not a total waste of time. Although I must admit that I feel a lot less 'manly' knowing that I can't change my own oil - thanks Audi.

Plan of action - There is a Valvoline quick oil change place around the corner that I will ask if I can pay the $19.99 and have them use my filter and oil....

Chris L.
98.5 1.8TQS Tip

for the 1st 3 yrs or 50K miles anyway. At least for me, and I think most of us.

I have done the oil change myself 2x...didn't really want to try the dealer in the beginning.
Anyway,... the oil drain bolt is relatively easy to identify,... it's located at the lowest point of the oil pan. I've changed the oil in my previous Audi/VW/Porsches... The setup is relatively similar in design. Think of it this way...now you know! :)
As for the oil filter. I find using a clamp (with the circular band) type filter remover is easier than that of the cap type. You get a little more room to work with if you fold the clamp handle in.

The way I see it, it's a piece of cake once you've done it once.
Good luck.

Cris

some of the horror stories of dealer overfilling, dirty-ing the interior, greasey finger prints on wheels and hood.... worse yet... dinged up panels, ... and the one that sticks out most in my mind... was when a dealer backed the car up into the wall! Wow!

Of course, you have good/caring dealers too.

Cris

1) I don't trust the dealer service.
2) I have always done oil filter changes every 3-5k (maybe excessive but it has worked for me (175,000 miles on Scirocco w/o rebuild).
3) I enjoy working on my car.


So, thanks for the dealer suggestion, but even though I bring it in for 'regular' service intervals, I do not appreciate the 2-3 week booking backlog and the fact that I have to leave the car all day for a 30 minute oil change/fluid check...

There are a couple of good reasons. First, it's free. Second, the dealer has the propper tools. Third, I would be even more woried about the guys working at one of those quick lube places. Fourth, it's a good idea to start establishing a relationship with the dealer's service people. That way if they're idiots, you can find another dealer and won't use them when you've got a serious problem that they could really screw up. Do check all their work behind them (ie. fluid levels to make sure they didn't overfill, etc.).

Regards,
Rodney

'99 A4 1.8tqms

Do you have a 1.8T? If so, The bolts on the drain pan are both flush with the bottom. A smaller one in the center of the pan and a larger one set towards the rear of the pan/car. which is the oil?
thanks again,
Chris

1) my dealer is one that everyone hates - they are an assembly line, poor service. The next closest one is an hour away...
2) the quick lube I agree have marginal personnel but I can watch and I'd have them use my parts/oil.
3)I enjoy working on my cars and feel that an oil/filter change is something that I should be able to master...

1) You're lucky...my closest dealer is 90 minutes away, the next closest is over 2 hours. I bought the car in Massachusetts where Audi dealers are plentiful and didn't consider that might not be the case in North Carolina, oh well.

3) I agree, Audi made it extremely inconvenient to change the oil...that kind of bothers me because once the warranty is up, I'll be doing it myself too.

Regards,
Rodney

'99 A4 1.8tqms

When's the last time you've been to an autoparts store? You'd see that there is a healthy market for do it yourself projects. Many people maintain their own cars for precisely the opposite reason that you state - dealers are more likely to screw things up that you can do yourself. Don't get me wrong, cars today are very advanced and some jobs are best handled by dealers. But don't jump all over people like Chris L. for wanting to maintain his car with an oil and oil filter change to standards higher than those provided by the dealer.

This site is filled with enthusiasts who take more pleasure in their cars than just driving them. So if you want to cruise up to your neighborhood dealer who tells you that their service and parts are the best that money can buy - feel free but don't expect all of us to follow you.

Btw, Chris L. check your e-mail for some info.

Problem #3 - I get underneath. SH!T. How the hell do you get to that filter tucked up in the middle of the engine block? The FAQ says to remove the plastic shield but that did not seem to obstruct the path to filter more than the piping and wires. I would have a tough time getting my arm up there much less a socket wrench to torque the filter loose. Solution - ???

I've only changed the oil filter once, but access from the top side is fairly easy. Just make sure you drape a towel around that area of the block because oil will drip/run to it. One good thing about a vertical (sort of) mounted filter is that it can be prefilled with about a cup of oil.

Vic O 1.8T tip 7.8K miles

I couldn't tell for sure but it sounded like you jacked it up then got under it... that's a suicide move if you don't have jackstands in the appropriate support places (not cinder blocks, they'll crumble and kill you)...

First, I have a 2.8- don't know if it's different- if so, this is totally discreditted...

In my case, the oil drain plug does not have a female adapter- though I recall that the tranny drain does. Tranny drain is on a much more rugged looking box (many more "lines" on the box- the oil pan has more like elongated divets). Oil drain is side mounted- don't remember if tranny drain is side mounted.

On the 2.8, the filter is mounted very low- maybe that's why we pay $5k more for the car- easy filter changes. One time I managed to change filter/oil without jacking or ramping the car. Also, even without the sport suspension, the clearence for the ramps is not quite enough.

Comparatively, I found the A4 much better laid out than other cars I have changed (though America cars do afford a bit more room to get leverage and not burned). The Integra has the filter mounted half way up the back of the engine, right next to the exhaust manifold (read: hottest part of the engine). I made my girlfriend buy me dinner after changing that.

Anyway, good luck-

Peter G

I do have the 1.8TQ.... I assume you already saw where the oil pan is,...Now, the plug is located on the driver side. It is *not* flushed with the oil pan, the bolt head is sticking out. It's either a 17mm or 19mm bolt, requiring either a 17 or 19mm socket to remove it. You will notice that the bolt is located at the lowest point (on the side of the oil pan) - driver side, toward the front of the car.
Got a question, drop me a line.

Cris

I know the touble you are going through. I have tried twice to change the oil on my A4(96) and neither time been successful. So each time I have gone back to the shop hear and paid them 40$ to do it. Each time I tried to do it between shop changes something different has been the cause for trouble. Teh first time the filter would not come of the engine (filter wrench, hands ect..) would not loosen it. The last time the drain plug would not come loose (torque wrench, air gun, pry bar, ect...). this very last time I took it to a reputable gas station back home and had them do it. I was talking to the mechanic afterwards and he was bitching about how tight both of the previous spoken of were. So my question is, "Why to dealers/shops put these things on so tight?" Are they just fu$#&*@ pricks or what. Oh and did they change the setup of the filters when they change heads on the engine, my filter is down near the bottom. Once the cover is off, access is easy.

If memory serves they are an allen head, but you've got him pointed the right way.

I called the service department of a reputable dealer (i.e., not mine) and spoke with a service technician. Here's what he said:

-The oil pan is located directly on top of/behind the plastic shield (which I did not remove)- so I was looking at the tranny casing the entire time. Boy, do I feel like a dumbass...

- he confirmed that the filter on the 1.8T is a major PITA to get to. He said that they use an oil wrench attached to a two foot socket extender.

-lastly, for all those "take it to the dealer" posters, I asked him if he thought my desire to change at every 3000 miles was worth it, he responded, "you will significantly increase the life of your engine by doing that. I do the same thing on my car." He also shared with me that a proper oil change should allow the oil to drain from the engine for at about ten minutes. I asked if dealers generally allowed for ten minute drains, he responded "It depends how slow the mechanic is at swapping the filter." mmmm

Well, I'll be back at it tonight after stopping off to by jack stands and a socket extender!

Chris

NT

on changing the oil every 3000 miles. But no longer. Today's synthetics are designed to go far longer. I started using synthetic in my '86 4000 quattro when it hit 100K miles. The car is stiil going strong with a new owner at nearly twice that mileage. Go with the Audi 5K interval for the turbo and use synthetic.

The 1.8 oil filter is not hard to remove if u do it from the top (in the engine bay when you pop up thehood).

How? Remove three screw that hold coolant reservior. unplug the temp sensor under it and just push the resevoir out of the way (Don't disconnect any coolant rubber tubes that attached to it).

Sorry I don't have any tip for the drain bolt. U have to get under the car, remove that damn plastic shield to access that bolt.

Good luck changing your oil!