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My car ran out of oil :(

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12K views 36 replies 13 participants last post by  Lofty  
#1 ·
Just started making a chugging sound and the oil is at the minimum mark on the dipstick on a warm engine. Just getting some oil in halfrauds now after limping under 2000revs for 10miles.
Think I'll need an oil change after this? Don't want it to have sucked up any shit from the bottom of the sump and be circulating that round the engine.
Just what I need on Christmas Eve!
 
#2 ·
Got some castrol edge 5w-30 and put about a litre in, dipstick is showing max now.
I checked the dipstick about 2 weeks ago and it was fine!
These TSI engines like oil!
Hopefully the engine will be ok now it's had a feed... I hope!
 
#4 ·
It should be fine. The level should be checked when the engine has cooled for around an hour (although 15 minutes is probably enough) to allow all the oil to drain back into the bottom. So it will read higher when the engine has been off for a while and lower when the engine has been on. So what I'm saying is your oil level was higher than you thought.

The minimum mark is still a lot of oil, so don't worry about picking up any crud from the sump. Plus any crud will nearly all be in your filter.

The chugging noise... well that could be worrying, but I imagine it's just because it's bloody cold. Engines do sound pretty hoarse on a cold morning. Does it go away after 5 minutes?
 
#5 ·
Did you not get a check oil light? I've had to refill mine like 3 times already
 
#6 ·
I was always taught to check oil levels when a car was cold for the reasons stated by PaleBlueDot above.
However, the A1 owners manual (page 143 in mine checking the oil level) says run the car until warm at idling speed then check the oil after standing at off for two minutes.
I can only assume this is something to do with the turbo charger oil capacity? Never had a turbo before.

I have checked the oil level using both methods and can confirm when checking straight from cold the oil level is acceptable but after following the Audi procedure it shows lower on the dipstick and can need a top-up, a significant difference.
 
#7 ·
I really should read more of the manual :D Thanks for pointing that out. It also says oil consumption can be up to 0.5 litres per 1,000 km. Going to check mine later...
 
#8 ·
I only checked it a few weeks ago, normally check it on a cold engine on a flat but it was fine!
No light came on, but apparently once the light comes on with our engines it's too late. I'd driven 10miles home from work, let it cool for an hour or so and as soon as I drove up my lane it made a funny chugging sound for about 30seconds, I depressed the clutch and it went away.
 
#9 ·
Jenny19 said:
once the light comes on with our engines it's too late
Nah. It's certainly low, but the manual says "top up immediately" rather than "stop and don't drive because your engine is already buggered". They wouldn't fit a warning light that was useless (apart from, you know, the screen wash level that comes on a whole 2 seconds before it runs out).

Jenny19 said:
it made a funny chugging sound for about 30seconds, I depressed the clutch and it went away.
Assuming this was shortly after starting it, it sounds like it was just struggling with the cold weather before the engine got warm. That's totally normal.
 
#10 ·
The engine wasn't cold though, it had been cooling down for an hour but it wasn't a cold start.
 
#11 ·
In these winds an hour is all it takes to make it a cold start.

Well, don't worry about it or let it ruin your Christmas. If it gets worse or happens when the engine has been running for a few minutes, and it's not just caused by under-revving or something similar, then get it checked out.
 
#12 ·
Hopefully it's nothing. I diagnosed the problem in about a minute, the guys in work called the AA out for the same problem with one of their vans and I stood there and did the blokes job for him! I'm the only woman in the office too! Useless men!
 
#15 ·
Never checked mine as yet ..... Oil level light hasn't came on so have never thought of it. My A2 was pretty good oil wise as well .... Driving to York and back today so better check :)
 
#16 ·
My Ford Focus 2 litre mark 1 that I had for ten years never needed any oil top-up between 12.5 k service intervals or before that a Mondeo, yet Audi's get 1L of oil supplied free. I remember thinking what's the point in that ?......I know now!

My manual 122 Sport oil consumption has vastly improved and almost stopped after 5k miles but did use the 1L up to then. I kept Kidding myself it was due to a premium brand engine and the turbo.
My son has VW Golf GT and it drinks oil too. So must be another quirky feature of the group and there are plenty to choose from !
 
#18 ·
Checked my oil on the flat in my 122bhp 1.4 TFSI with cold engine and the oil is right to the top of the dipstick marker- do I really need to worry about warming engine and then leaving for 2 mins as per manual ? If so how long do you run it before you decide its warm ? If its to full temp why not just check 2 mins after you have had a good run down the motorway ?

Simple to check when cold but its this middle ground that's confusing !
 
#20 ·
I agree with tim, 'Full when cold' is always fine it's when lower but still in the ok part of the band on the dipstick that warming the engine can make it go below into the 'need to top-up required' part of the dipstick.

I am sure the engine will not blow up either way. I run for about 5 mins to warm engine, certainly not up to operating temperature but checking after a run would probably get the same result after a couple of minutes to let the oil settle.

It's the fact that this is the first car I have had which does not state check oil when cold.
 
#21 ·
I am struggling with my choice of oil for top up. I have a 1.6TDI presumably using Long Life oil. The manual states vw 507.00 oil? I had a look around the web and Castrol Edge 5w-30 or professional seems to be the way to go any suggestions which is the best choice?
 
#22 ·
I use 5w 30 with mine. I went into Audi and they seemed to have less of a clue than me as to what to put in it. I use Castol 5w 30 though and seems to do the trick :)
 
#25 ·
Doc W said:
Castrol Edge is more widely available and a good price from Euro Car Parts as Lofty said.
The dealers seem to supply new cars with 1L of Castrol Edge Professional which I was told was only available from dealerships but I have purchased from here no problem. The only place I could find it on the web.

http://moto-oil.co.uk/index.php?route=p ... 11_113_120
How did you get on with delivery? The reason I ask is that I have emailed them twice about the price. Their on-line check out doesn't let you select the Royal Mail (cheapest) delivery option.
 
#26 ·
Matrix said:
Doc W said:
Castrol Edge is more widely available and a good price from Euro Car Parts as Lofty said.
The dealers seem to supply new cars with 1L of Castrol Edge Professional which I was told was only available from dealerships but I have purchased from here no problem. The only place I could find it on the web.

http://moto-oil.co.uk/index.php?route=p ... 11_113_120
How did you get on with delivery? The reason I ask is that I have emailed them twice about the price. Their on-line check out doesn't let you select the Royal Mail (cheapest) delivery option.
I use EuroCarParts & their service & delivery are very good! :D