Oil pouring our of car?!? Any ideas!

[znowybird]

I have a 1997 audi A4 2.8l . Looking for some insight, i'm a backyard mechanic, certainly don't know that much about these newer audis, only worked on 80's and early 90's.

I was driving down the road when the engine started an odd whine. Look in the mirror and see a faint smoke trailing from my car, immediately shtu the car off and get out to look under the car and hood.

Oil is pouring out. running somewhat down the backside of the engine near the flywheel. from what i can see anyway, very hard to distinguish.

First i think the rear main seal blew but i was hoping for some other insight.

any ideas?

thanks for anything, i know i'm not offering much

[larkinB5A4]

i wish i could tell you what it was but your guess is as good as mine!

[bitelec1]

First check that the oil is not from the top of the engine underneath the intake manifold. Not easy to see, i know, but not impossible either. Oil leaking head gaskets are not uncommon. If the oil is from within the bellhousing it can be the welch plug in the back of the main crank bearing oil channel (unlikely) or the crank seal (more likely) , either of which wil nesessitate the removal of the engine or transmission to gain access and replace. Big job either way. Let us know how it turns out.

[bitelec1]

brainwave! Are you sure its engine oil you are seeing? Could It be power steering fluid from the back of the power steering pump running underneath the intake manifold and down the back of the engine? that would explain the whining sound too. if this is the case dont start the engine again before the leak is fixed and the power steering circuit is primed, or serious damage to the pump can result.