You know ive heard that once you switch from conventional to synthetic, the engine just uses up some of the new better oil for the first few thousand miles, maybe you just need to keep topping it off til your next oil change.

 

True, but I'm thinking about an early-early oil change.

 

older oil = sludging due to petrol/gas ingredient so it evaporates just like fuel/gas then the oil gets thicker hence the sludging, new formula man made synthetic based it controlled at high temps so we know how it works ( predicted ) and that cant be said for the cheap stuff, you get what you pay for I suppose

 

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/img339/7...tydirtyfu5.jpg

 

my bad on the 1.8T bit.

however, if you haven't checked your oil in 2 months, you are asking for trouble. I don't care if the car has gone 2 million miles with no trouble, you have to check the oil. it does specify in the audi owner's manual that it is recommended you check the oil eveyr time you fill up, I was just passing that along.

 

More importantly, if I check my oil and its below the minimum line and I add 1 full quart and check the oil and its a touch below the full line, how could it possibly be above the full line (oil on the ball above the full line) 35 miles and a few hours later?

Even if I measured it wrong after adding a quart, how could I add 1 quart when its below the min line and end up over filling that much?

My car seemed to be absolutely fine in those 35 miles of being overfilled. I plan on changing the oil so I know I have the right amount. Do you think I damaged anything and how can I tell if anything is messed up now if things are running fine?

 

Was the car level when you checked/filled the oil?

Maybe the oil hadn't all worked its way down to the sump yet when you topped it up and then checked the dipstick. Or the dipstick wasn't pushed in all the way.

Overfilling a small amount shouldn't hurt anything, but bad things can happen if you put too much in, say 1+ quarts more than specified.

I just thought of something else... maybe one of your oil lines is clogged. The oil gets pumped up toward the top of the engine (to lubricate the cams/valves) and then it works its way back down into the sump. Also, when you add oil, you're pouring it into the top of the engine, so if the line(s) that the oil works its way down into the sump are clogged, the oil could be "stuck" in the upper part of the engine, causing the dipstick to read low temporarily, and possibly trip the low oil warning. Then, after it sits a while, the oil works its way back down into the sump.

Next time the dipstick shows a drop in the amount of oil, let the car sit for a little while and then check it again. If the oil level goes up again, that could be the reason.

 

The car was level.

With the oil coming up to the ball above the full line... does that count as "overfilling a small amount"?

 

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?

 

you shouldn't have to tighten an oil filter any tighter than what you can get it by hand, ever. is there a possibility you damaged the seal in any way when you took the filter off?