Is my mechanic on the con.

[djcookster]

I have a problem with the oil circulation on my 1.8T ( X Reg 2000) A6 Avant. The dipstick confirms the correct amount of oil in the engine, the oil light comes on when the engine is warm, but not straight away. When the engine is warm the hyrdrolic lifters are making a racket. The RAC mechanic diagnosed a oil pump problem. When my mechanic came round to have a look, he suggested a service, just in case it was a blockage somewhere. This didnt work, he now says i need to replace the oil pump. To fix this he says he needs the car for a few days as he needs to strip the engine down to get to the pump, removing the cam belt etc. He would abviously be charging me a fortune for this work. After checking the Haynes manual for a 1.8T A3 replacing the oil pump is just a case of dropping the sump, which is where the pump is located. Does anyone know if the a3 and a6 are the same, and whether or not the cam etc,. does have to come off.

[Trotsky]

Dropping the oil sump on the a3 and a6 is different. On the A6 1.8T(more involved), you have to partially drop the subframe so that you can remove the oil sump and a engine support device will be necessary. On the A3, just dropping the oil sump will allow you access to the oil pump. In my memory, the cam belt doesn't need to removed, the pump is chain driven.