Need help in diagnosing a motor problem in my 03 a4 quattro 1.8 turbo.

Asked by jerryalong03 Jan 01, 2015 at 01:22 PM about the 2003 Audi A4 1.8T quattro Sedan AWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

One afternoon while checking the oil in my wife's 03 a4 Quattro 1.8 turbo I noticed that the water reseviour was full of dark fluid appearing to be engine oil. When I checked the oil there was barely any on the dip stick. I had high hopes that after allowing our daughter to use the car that she might have added oil to the wrong place. But unfornately there appears to be bigger problems at hand. Normally the car doesn't use any oil and as of now it still runs great, but after adding some oil to the engine and running it for a few minutes there is water in the engine oil as well. I done a compression test and all cylinders still have over a 170psi. Like I said the car still runs great but this oil exchange is not right. I'm wondering if someone else has maybe had the same problems and could give me some advice in witch direction I should go in diagnosing the problem. I would hate to pull the head and that not be the problem.

4 Answers

101,575

Look at the oil cooler first, second would be seal on the turbo. Your compression test looks good. My bet would be oil cooler leaking into the radiator.

KenF , thanks for the advice on the oil cooler. Any suggestions on where to look for a diagram of the motor components?

101,575

I'm not very familiar with your make of car, I'd try some of the specialized Audi forums around, they'll be able to give you specific information. Your symptoms are a classic sign of a leaky cooler, however. If you rev the engine and see bubbles in the radiator or in the reservoir, then you might want to look at an intake or head gasket. There is a type of test that can look for exhaust gas (spent carbon) in the radiator fluid as another proof of a bad head gasket, but I'd start with ruling out the oil cooler first.

1 people found this helpful.
45,325

go to the vw dealer and head to the parts counter. ask for a schematic of the oil cooler and they will print it and the part number sheets out for you for free.

Your Answer:

A4

Looking for a Used A4 in your area?

CarGurus has 4,719 nationwide A4 listings starting at $1,200.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2003 Audi A4

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Deathjam4
    Reputation
    13,160
  • #2
    lukeyramone
    Reputation
    1,370
  • #3
    James III
    Reputation
    1,220
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used BMW 3 Series
1,161 Great Deals out of 13,098 listings starting at $516
Used Audi A6
252 Great Deals out of 3,606 listings starting at $2,450
Used Audi S4
68 Great Deals out of 840 listings starting at $6,999
Used Audi A3
173 Great Deals out of 2,867 listings starting at $3,489
Used Mercedes-Benz C-Class
981 Great Deals out of 16,942 listings starting at $1,300
Used Lexus IS
279 Great Deals out of 5,313 listings starting at $1,000
Used BMW 5 Series
884 Great Deals out of 11,516 listings starting at $825
Used Honda Accord
1,513 Great Deals out of 29,433 listings starting at $600
Used Toyota Camry
2,091 Great Deals out of 37,807 listings starting at $575
Used Honda Civic
1,371 Great Deals out of 29,067 listings starting at $600

Used Cars for Sale

2023 Audi A4 For Sale
52 Great Deals out of 375 listings starting at $24,498
2022 Audi A4 For Sale
8 Great Deals out of 178 listings starting at $23,290
2021 Audi A4 For Sale
65 Great Deals out of 586 listings starting at $18,995
2020 Audi A4 For Sale
25 Great Deals out of 196 listings starting at $15,498
2019 Audi A4 For Sale
28 Great Deals out of 248 listings starting at $14,783

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.