A5 Oil Pressure Crisis: Signs of Failing Oil Pump

I dealt with a very similar oil pump failure issue on my 2012 A4 2.0T last year. Having some experience with engine maintenance, I initially thought it might be just an oil viscosity issue or clogged oil filter, but it turned out more serious. The symptoms were identical, oil pressure warning light and those worrying engine noises. After seeing these warning signs, I immediately took it to a workshop rather than risk engine damage. The diagnosis confirmed an oil pump failure, which was causing inconsistent oil pressure throughout the engine. The complete repair, including parts and labor, cost me 755 Euro. They had to replace the oil pump and do a full oil change with fresh filter. The repair prevented what could have been catastrophic engine damage if left unchecked. For your A5, could you share: Current mileage, When was your last oil change, Any previous engine work done, Whether the noise changes with engine RPM, If there is any oil leakage visible This information would help determine if your situation matches what I experienced and whether you might be looking at similar repair needs.

Had the oil change done about 5000 KM ago at 135000 KM. The noise definitely gets louder with higher RPM and seems worst when the engine is warm. After reading up on typical oil pump failures, the symptoms match perfectly. Started noticing small oil spots on my garage floor last week too, so there might be a connection with the low oil pressure issue. Planning to have it checked since I do not want to risk major engine damage. My mileage is currently at 140579 KM and this sounds very similar to what you experienced, including the concerning engine noises. Given the repair cost you mentioned, I will start putting aside some money for the potential fix.

Having gone through this exact issue with my A4, your description raises immediate concerns. The oil spots combined with the RPM-dependent noise strongly suggest a failing oil pump, just like in my case. The symptoms are almost identical to what I experienced before my repair. The oil leakage you mentioned could be related to the low oil pressure causing strain on various seals, which is what happened in my situation. When the engine bearings dont receive proper oil pressure, they can create those concerning mechanical noises you described. Since youre at 140000km, youre in a similar mileage range where I encountered my oil pump failure. Your quick response to these warning signs is crucial, I learned that continuing to drive with low oil pressure can lead to catastrophic engine damage. Based on my experience, you should expect: Oil pump replacement, New oil and filter, Possible seal replacement if leaks are found, Inspection of engine bearings for wear The 755 Euro repair cost I mentioned earlier included all these items. Given the similar symptoms and vehicle age, you might be looking at comparable expenses. Getting this addressed quickly helped me avoid more extensive engine repairs later.

This will be my last update on my oil pressure issue. Called a repair shop and dropped the car off this morning. The initial inspection confirms what everyone suspected, the oil pump is indeed failing. The mechanic pointed out the oil leakage seems to be coming from a worn seal, likely stressed by the low oil pressure situation. They quoted me 790 Euro for the complete job, including a new oil pump, seals, oil change and labor. Pretty close to what others paid for similar repairs. They will also inspect the engine bearings while everything is apart to check for any damage from running with low oil pressure. Really glad I acted on this quickly after seeing the warning signs. The combination of oil pressure warning lights, engine noises and those oil spots could have led to serious engine damage if ignored. Thanks everyone for sharing their experiences and helping identify the oil pump failure symptoms. Will update the thread once everything is fixed in case someone else runs into similar issues.