My 2007 S5 is making concerning engine noises along with an oil pressure warning light. The rattling seems to come directly from the engine bay and gets louder with higher RPMs. I suspect low oil pressure might be damaging the engine bearings. Has anyone dealt with similar symptoms? Particularly interested in what the root cause was and the repair solution. Did you need a complete engine rebuild or was it something simpler like a clogged oil filter or faulty oil pressure sensor? Any input on repair costs would be helpful before I take it to a shop. Currently checking oil levels regularly and avoiding high RPMs as a precaution.

S5 Oil Pressure Warning and Engine Rattling Fix

As someone with moderate experience working on Audis, I had a very similar issue with my 2009 S4 last year. Those symptoms match exactly what I experienced, the rattling noise and oil pressure warning certainly set off alarm bells. After monitoring the oil pressure gauge and seeing consistently low readings, I took it to a specialist workshop. The diagnosis revealed oil pump failure, which was causing insufficient oil pressure throughout the engine. The engine oil was circulating poorly, leading to those concerning noises you described. The repair involved replacing the faulty oil pump and doing a complete oil system flush. Total cost was 755 Euro including parts, labor and fresh engine oil. Much better than risking engine bearing damage or a complete rebuild. To help diagnose your specific case, could you share: Current oil level and when it was last changed, Oil viscosity grade you are using, Mileage on the current oil pump, Any error codes from the oil pressure sensor, Whether the noise changes with engine temperature You are smart to avoid high RPMs for now. These engines are sensitive to oil pressure issues and bearing damage can happen quickly. Would strongly recommend getting it checked soon before risking more serious damage.

Thanks for the feedback on my issue. Just to add, my current mileage is 15403 KM and the oil viscosity grade I am running is 5W-40 synthetic as recommended by Audi. Had my last service 3 months ago where they did check the oil pressure sensor and found no faults. The rattling noise does seem better when the engine is fully warm, which matches what you described about the oil pump failure symptoms. I will get the oil pressure checked to rule out any oil leakage or pump issues. Will book it in this week rather than risk more damage to the engine bearings. That 755 Euro repair cost sounds much more reasonable than what I was fearing.

Having gone through this exact issue with my S4, the warm engine behavior you describe is a classic symptom of oil pump problems. The improvement in noise when warm happens because the oil thins out and flows better, temporarily masking the underlying pressure problem. Since you mentioned a recent service with no sensor faults, I would focus on the mechanical components. After my repair, I learned that oil pump failures on these engines often start gradually, which is why they might not trigger sensor codes initially. The 5W-40 oil grade is correct, but even with proper oil, these pumps can wear out. Mine failed at around 140000 KM, and the symptoms progressed very similarly to what you are experiencing. The repair cost I quoted (755 Euro) covered both parts and labor, but prices can vary based on whether any engine bearings were affected. Getting it fixed early saved me from more extensive engine damage. Keep monitoring that oil level closely until your appointment. Any sudden changes could indicate oil leakage developing alongside the pressure issue. When you take it in, ask them to do a thorough pressure test of the entire oil system, not just the pump.

Thanks everyone for the detailed insights. I just got back from the shop and wanted to share the outcome. You were spot on about the oil pump failure, they confirmed low oil pressure readings across multiple test points. The mechanic found the oil pump was indeed failing and also discovered a partially clogged oil filter that was making the pressure problems even worse. Luckily they caught it before any serious engine bearing damage occurred. The total repair came to 890 Euro including: New oil pump, Oil filter replacement, System flush, Fresh 5W-40 synthetic oil, Labor costs The rattling noise is completely gone now and the oil pressure gauge shows normal readings across all RPM ranges. Really glad I addressed this quickly instead of risking more damage. For anyone searching with similar symptoms, that combination of rattling noise and oil pressure warning was definitely a failing pump in my case. The repair cost was higher than originally quoted but way better than needing major engine work.