Hello all. I bought a 2001 Audi A4 1.8T three months ago -- it had 46,000 miles on it.

Two weeks ago I was driving in very cold weather (12 degrees) in Brooklyn where I live and I went over a bump in the road and I heard a minor bump and scraping sound. No warning lights came on then, but two hours later after having dinner at a restaurant and getting back in the car --- as soon as I turned on the car the oil can warning signal came up. I had 4 people in the car -- one of whom had the flu -- and it was near midnight in Brooklyn where it is unlikely to find a cab at the hour. So more or less coasted the 5 minutes it took to get hom. However, the engine did not sound right.

The next morning I got up and brought the car to the corner to a garage and I noticed that my driveway was covered in Oil. Turns out that the oil pan had been punctured. So I had the car towed to the nearest Audi dealership in Bay Ridge. They replaced the oil pan and filter, but when they started the engine again, surprise surprise, they could tell that there is damage in the upper part of the engine.

So now I have been waiting for more than two weeks to learn what is wrong with engine. they say they will open up the engine and prepare a list of what needs repair and they are warning me that I may need a new engine altogether.

So my first question is:

1. Is it possible in five minutes in 12 degree weather to scorch / seriously damage the engine?

2. If so, is is possible that the damage could be limited to certain replaceable parts?

3. If I need a new engine, does anyone know how much it could cost to replace and/or have any suggestions for the best route to take?

4. Is it possibole that the damage to my engine was exacerbated by the A4 1.8T's proven Oil Sludge build up issue? It had been at least 2 thousand miles since the last oil change.

5. Should I get a second opinion?

6. Is it worth contacting Audi corporate (I have an Audi connection warranty) --- since there was an external damage to the oil pan -- I can not get repairs covered by Audi.

Unfortunately I only have liability insurance. So you can see I am in a rather desperate predicament --- having spent $18K to get the car only 3 months ago.

HELP!

Aaron

the oil light on, that light is usually on because you lost oil pressure not that your low on oil so if it goes on you have a problem, it is possible i think to do damage if you have no oil pressure and metal to metal contact... but thats my opinion

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It might have been cheaper to call a taxi cab.

Sorry to hear.. hard knocks of life.

I would not have the dealer do anything more. its just a waste of time and money. take the car to a good wrench and have have a used engine sent to the shop. check prices and locations on www.car-parts.com the money the dealer will charge to figure out whats worong with the motor will cost as much as it woill cost to replace it. what if soething is wrong and they dont notice it? you have engine issues down the road.
if the motor looks ok after they pull it then i'm sure you could sell it and get some cash back.

Turns out that the sales guy at the dealership where I had my car was trying to rip me off. He gave me an estimate for $10K + of damage and urged me to trade the car in for a few grand --- I smelled something fishy for a number of reasons (first being that the estimate was based on "listening" to the engine), so I showed up with a tow truck and paid my bill for the replacement of the oil pan. I ended up shipping the car back to the dealership in the Midwest where I bought it. They have now thoroughly checked the car out and guess what.....there is nothing wrong with the engine.

I will write it soon with how I intend to follow-up.

There you go....there maybe some oil deprevation on the top end to the cam or the cam shaft tensioner i dont think 12 mins will cause that, but best thing is to take it to teh dealer it should take them 2-3hrs to check it all out and give you a list, i dont think an engine is needed but if it turns out you need one msg me i know a good guy in NJ who can get engines pretty cheap!