Decision time

[jpinkowish at comcast.net]

Kent,
So, the misaligned cams are causing low compression?  Although I am unfamiliar with the v6, I would propose the following:
--Pull the plugs and inspect the piston tops with one of those flexible inspection scopes.  This will confirm or not the "smashed valves."
--Reset the timing on the cams and remeasure compression.
--If the compression is "acceptable", fill the crankcase, replace the oil filter, and try to start the car.

Perhaps you and the mechanic already performed steps 1 and 2?

Jan Pinkowish
-------------- Original message -------------- 
> My '99 A4 is dead.? I came home on a Tuesday night, it was running fine. I tried 
> to start in on Wednesday morning, no start. It wasn't the starter. The engine 
> had no compression. The engine had no oil. 130K miles. 
> 
> SNIP
> 
> Upon examination: 30-80 psi compression in each cylinder. When the crank is at 
> top dead center, the cam marks don't line up. The theory is that the stress of 
> no oil caused the crank/cam key to shear, causing the cams to shift, smashing 
> valves into the pistons.