A4 oil sludge problem, not getting an engine replacement

**Jerm** · 04-10-2008 08:10 PM

So I'm getting my sludge problem fixed by Audi. The dealer said they are replacing some hoses and seals. Then flushing the engine. I've seen posts of other people getting a full engine replacement due to the sludge problem. Should I be worried about any other internal damage or just be happy with what Audi is doing?

**audipotential** · 04-13-2008 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by Jerm

So I'm getting my sludge problem fixed by Audi. The dealer said they are replacing some hoses and seals. Then flushing the engine. I've seen posts of other people getting a full engine replacement due to the sludge problem. Should I be worried about any other internal damage or just be happy with what Audi is doing?

Eesh. I guess you could be happy but I wouldnt

**[IX]** · 04-13-2008 04:17 PM

Slippery slope!!!!

**audipotential** · 04-13-2008 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by [IX]

Slippery slope!!!!

Exactly

**AudiA4_20T** · 04-13-2008 08:54 PM

hmmm I mean you could just seafoam or clean out the oil pump pickup... It depends on how bad it is

**drmarcj** · 04-15-2008 06:55 AM

Sucks, but not surprising. Audi's bound to lose heaps of cash on engine swaps. Doing the minimum is more likely to pay off for them in the short term, since it looks like they're doing "something" about it anyway.

Once you get it back, it might be worth trying Auto-rx to clean out whatever turds are still hanging around in there.

**Jerm** · 04-16-2008 07:16 PM

Thanks for the replies. I was kind of curious. At least since they are doing something now they are covering the 8 year Audi warranty. So at least I shouldn't have to worry till 2011. Probably won't have the car that long anyway with the way my wife's putting miles on it (purchased last year with 41,000 miles, now have 74,000 miles). I assume if anything else happens to the engine due to the sludge problem they would have to cover it as long as I continue to keep up on maintenance which I will do regardless (damn timing belt replacement coming in the next 2 months).

**zcrew** · 04-17-2008 07:41 AM

yeah, just keep good records. i had mine replaced due to sludge, but that's because there was metal in the oil pan and my oil pressure light kept coming on. use synthetic oil and change it every 5k and you'll probably just dandy.

**JohnnyG** · 05-06-2008 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by Jerm

So I'm getting my sludge problem fixed by Audi. The dealer said they are replacing some hoses and seals. Then flushing the engine. I've seen posts of other people getting a full engine replacement due to the sludge problem. Should I be worried about any other internal damage or just be happy with what Audi is doing?

don't worry they inspect your engine for any damage, If they find none then you didn't have any. The cleaner is hardcore 6qts run for 30min @ 3000rpm.They replace your oil pump pick-up, oil feed line (turbo) ,most of your crankcase vent pipes (plastic & rubber) ,pcv valve, reseal your oil pan and replace your valve cover gasket. They will also replace the cam tensioner if found to be worn.

**JohnnyG** · 05-06-2008 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by drmarcj

Sucks, but not surprising. Audi's bound to lose heaps of cash on engine swaps. Doing the minimum is more likely to pay off for them in the short term, since it looks like they're doing "something" about it anyway.

Once you get it back, it might be worth trying Auto-rx to clean out whatever turds are still hanging around in there.

DO NOT try to clean out the engine after the dealer cleans the sludge, In the rare case that there is still sludge and the oil light reoccurs bring it back but don't try a diy. It may void your remaining engine warranty. It would be audi's problem. They would either do it again or replace the engine....depends on the case.

**1.8cab** · 05-06-2008 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by Jerm

Thanks for the replies. I was kind of curious. At least since they are doing something now they are covering the 8 year Audi warranty. So at least I shouldn't have to worry till 2011. Probably won't have the car that long anyway with the way my wife's putting miles on it (purchased last year with 41,000 miles, now have 74,000 miles). I assume if anything else happens to the engine due to the sludge problem they would have to cover it as long as I continue to keep up on maintenance which I will do regardless (damn timing belt replacement coming in the next 2 months).

I'm assuming you bought the car pre-owned at 41,000 mi.(?) Did the dealer give you problems with confirming routine maintenance? Did you have to demand that they own up to the warranty?

**Sonny 3.0** · 05-07-2008 09:57 AM

How do you diagnose whether or not you have a sludge problem? My old 1.8 had a sludge problem when I got rid of it... I have a 3.0 now and I'm not sure whether or not it has a sludge problem... I've been using a full synthetic, but I don't know much about sludge... Any help???

**PRY4SNO** · 05-13-2008 07:10 PM

Originally Posted by Sonny 3.0

How do you diagnose whether or not you have a sludge problem? My old 1.8 had a sludge problem when I got rid of it... I have a 3.0 now and I'm not sure whether or not it has a sludge problem... I've been using a full synthetic, but I don't know much about sludge... Any help???

Valve chatter on idle?

**coowhip** · 05-15-2008 06:22 AM

Besides an oil pressure problem, what signs should I watch out for so this doesn't happen. I just bought the car with 52k miles on it and I believe the owner has always used synthetic and is good with maintenance. No turbo timer though which I will be getting soon.