Edit (Update #2, found the problem, I think)...

I saw no oil around the oil filter when I first got the "oil min" light. I stuck my hand down there and felt all around and it was dry and clean. I just changed my oil. I put in 5w30 and before I tightened the filter back on (yes, i'm using the same filter b/c its 500 miles old) old oil was still dripping slightly. I cleaned it off and tightened the filter and its still dripping out old oil. I thought that was okay until I added the new oil and got a drop or two of new oil out where I screw on the filter.

I started the car, cleaned it off, let it run and it seemed fine. I drove it around the block and stuck a cloth down there and came back with fresh oil on my rag at the filter. I only used my hands to tighten it b/c my tool isn't wide enough to fit this filter (yes, i know i need one). I tightened it (two hands on it as best asI could).

Could it just be too loose or could I have bent something when I used a hammer and screwdriver when I tookthe old filter off two months ago. If I did mess something up, what do I have to replace (is the part that the filter screws on separate from the oil pan where I can unbolt it and put on a new one?

Edit (Update)...
This morning, I was below the minimum line after driving the car for 50 minutes (35 miles)... I got the oil min warning with 2 miles to go. I pulled in to a gas station and checked the oil. I added a full quart. And the oil level was a few hash marks below the full line. I get home, the car sat for about 2 hours. I drove around for 15 minutes, checked for leaks and checked the oil again. Now the little ball on the dipstick above the full line gets oil on it (more than half way up the ball). What's the story on that? Do i have too much oil? Do i need to let some out?

This is an image of the only thing that resembles anything close to an oil leak. But, it's just dirty. It discolored in places but nothing that is fresh oil.

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/7143/dirtydirtyfu5.jpg

Original Post:
I changed my oil on January 23rd of this year. It had just crappy cheap stuff in it (non-syn). I put in mobil1 0w40 full syn.

I've driven about 500 miles since then and this morning I got the "Oil Min" light. I pulled over and checked the oil and sure enough, its barely reaching the "min" line.

I haven't smelt burning oil, I haven't seen blue or smokey exhaust at all. I haven't seen a single puddle of oil at home or at work.
How can I lose that much oil, that fast with nothing to show for? Perhaps under heat and pressure from driving, i'm losing it on the road?
I haven't had a chance to look for leaks yet.

The previous oil filter was stuck so I had to use a screw driver and hammer to stab it for leverage (I was desparate and me little oil filter wrench was too small). Could I have bent something to cause it to leak?

Also, the previous oil was still at the max before I changed it. It had been in for a little over 5000 miles.

This is on a 2003 A4 3.0 with 62,000 miles if that matters.

 

Our bottom covers are designed in a way that the oil leak from the engine wont drop onto to the floor. Well thats if its a minor leak. Have a peak from the top and feel around the oil filter to see if you have a leaks. Better totake the bottom cover of, have a look and if you dont see anything then give it a good degrease and wash, top the oil up to the right level and drive it for another 50miles or so. Have another look and if there is a leak you will be able to trace it to the source. Lil bit of work but best way.

 

I don't have a cover. The previous owner(s) must have done something moronic b/c it was torn off completely. I fully expected to have to remove it when I changed my oil but nope.

 

no offense to you, but you should really be checking your oil level every time you fill up with gas. not checking it for 2 months is asking for trouble, what if your oil light hadn't come on? you'd still be driving around with hardly any oil in the car, which could be disastrous especially if you're a 1.8T guy.

 

No offense to you, but does the 3.0 come with a 1.8T? (last line of my initial post... sorry, had to)

I'm not going to be checking my oil every time I fill up if my car has been otherwise fine for 62000 miles and I don't think that's asking for trouble. Regardless, the trouble is already here and that's what I'm asking about, thanks.

 

get the car checked out by someone who doesnt have to stab the oil filter with a screwdriver.

 

thanks for all the help, you guys are great! </sarcasm>

 

If your losing that much, there's got to be a small leak somewhere.

Its possible thatthe leak isin a location where is hitting the enigne, and maybe burning off, slowly enough that your not noticing.

Just give the car a good once over looking for leaks. Did you check the oil again after you changed it, filled it, and drove for a bit? Maybe you didn't put enough in initially and once it circulated through the oil filter, the level was a bit low?

I would just top it off, and keep a close eye on it, looking for leaks, smoke, and keep checking the level to make sure it s not still going down.

 

I did check it after I filled it. I added either 5 or 6 quarts (can't remember, but I want to say 6 b/c I let the old oil drain for over an hour). I also drove around for 10-15 and checked it again.

I put a full quart in and I'm just under the 3rd hash mark that is under the full line. It looks like I could add a touch more.

I was just talking to a buddy that has a 1998 M3 and he had a similar problem. I'm using 0w40 just as he was and he lost about the same amount of oil in 1000-2000 miles but the same amount of time. Perhaps its just way too thin. The temps have warmed up around here in the past week or two (80s last week, 60's this week with random days of 30-45 in between). Any one think I'm losing oil b/c its too thin somehow?

 

Thats a possibility, the syn has smaller molecules. If the car has always run regular oil since the beggining, switching to synthetic could cause some seepage.

I would try changing the oil again, back to normal 5w30, non-syn, whatever audi reccomends for your vehicle. You dont need syn since you are not turbo, the 0w40 weight is not neccesary either.

I have a similar issue with my 300zx. It always ran reg before I bought it, and when I put synthetic in it, it started leaking oil around the cam and crank seals.