Oil leak and associated problems?

[davicio]

Hi all,
Did a 350 mile trip today from London > Hereford > London.

My car started to tick over to 2,000 rpm at idle 5 miles from starting my trip. Normally it is at 1,000.
I could rev it out sometimes where it would go back to 1,000 rpm.

150 miles later and I had an 'engine oil low' appear. This just after a major service at Audi London where they changed the whole 5 litres. I topped it up in Hereford with a litre as it was below the minimum mark (Castrol Edge 5w30).
Got 50 miles approx and up it pops again - 'engine oil low'. I stop at Warwick Services and realise there is a slight oil leak from the sump area. I could also see oil within the engine bay itself. Temperature gauge never fluctuated from 90. Always spot on.

RAC couldn't deliver, so I set out stopping often all the way home by topping it up with a further 2 litres. It's at minimum level again. Engine diagnostic light only appeared 10 miles from home.

What is going on? I haven't hit anything that could damage the sump either.
What are possible costs here?

I have spent fortunes this year. This vehicle is fast becoming the costliest vehicle I have ever owned. £2k already this year alone. (2007 with 40k on the clock).

 

[MrLapou]

Firstly yo should have not driven after initial fault happened 5 miles in.........
Could be the sump plug is loose an oil line like the oil cooler has began to leak

 

[_G_]

Did they tighten the oil filter properly? Our local Audi have been known to leave it loose to drum up business.

Mine was leaking last year from the boost tap and slowly dripping down. Any photos? What engine do you have? 2.0?

 

[davicio]

Sorry - it's an S3 (2.0).
I've had issues with previous cars ticking slightly higher, but it has normally gone okay after revving it out (like a sticky throttle).
I would love for it to be a loose plug!

I have driven 1,000 miles now since the major service. 350 of those today. I just can't believe it would be that.
i do have an image - but you will see damp on the underneath of the sump. I thought as well it could have been coming from the rear - not sure about this though. Is that even possible?

 

[Lewis583]

Did they tighten the oil filter properly? Our local Audi have been known to leave it loose to drum up business.

Lol, are you sure they're not just sh!t?

Best option is to just get it recovered to dealer who serviced it via RAC/AA. I wouldn't advise driving it to them either.

Or if you fancy crawling underneath yourself.

Jack it up and place axle stands underneath a suitable place (Subframe/Chassis/Sills. Anywhere sturdy)

Spray loads of brake cleaner on anywhere that it covered in oil and clean it off.

Start it up and watch to see if you can pinpoint where the leak is coming from.

 

[_G_]

Lol, are you sure they're not just sh!t?

Best option is to just get it recovered to dealer who serviced it via RAC/AA. I wouldn't advise driving it to them either.

Or if you fancy crawling underneath yourself.

Jack it up and place axle stands underneath a suitable place (Subframe/Chassis/Sills. Anywhere sturdy)

Spray loads of brake cleaner on anywhere that it covered in oil and clean it off.

Start it up and watch to see if you can pinpoint where the leak is coming from.

Good idea for tracking the leak! What about the PCV? May be worth checking that too.

 

[MrLapou]

Or faulty oil cap seal, loose / leaking PCV piping

 

[davicio]

I wanted to update all on this - it appears at first glance it's a faulty cam seal.
Problem lies in the fact that the oil is everywhere and a lot needs stripping and my cambelt (recently replaced only <500 miles ago) is needing replacing again.

Crazy bad luck. Won't have my car for a week as well. Cycling is hard right now!