Engine Sludging

[onceover]

So ive recently got a CEL for running too lean and idle rpm being too high, alogn with that ive had a loss of power.

My friend that works at audi told me that its an engine sludge issue and asked me to take my oil cap off while the car was running to see if there was vacuum. sure enough, i couldn't get the thing off!

He told me that it will by $1000 in part and $1000 in labor to get it fixed!

I hear this is a common issue with these cars, and has anyone managed to remove all the sludge from wherever the hell it is?

[demea]

I dont know what year/mileage your car is, but I think Audi extended the warranty to address to sludge buildup.

[onceover]

its an 04 with 160000km but dumbass me didnt get any service records with the car, so the warranty wont cover me.

[kwimberly]

My friend that works at audi told me that its an engine sludge issue and asked me to take my oil cap off while the car was running to see if there was vacuum. sure enough, i couldn't get the thing off!

Is that a reliable test for sludge? I might need to try it.

[manhertm]

Try to AutoRx, that seems to work mircales with sludge.

[onceover]

Try to AutoRx, that seems to work mircales with sludge.

Hm, just took a look at their site, might have to try it.

I was also thinking of trying seafoam, but will AutoRx work better?

[dirtybrd]

Pull of the valve cover and look to see.

[raartoot]

I suffered the Oil sludge, My oil light came up, then went off for 2 weeks, No loss of power whilst it came up but 2nd time it came up, my engine sounded Loud, tapping.Due to the Starvation of oil circulation and not getting to the top of the engine. Then went bang, blew engine and turbo in one go!!!!

You need to get it checked ASAP because if it is then the Pick up pipe is blocked due to the sludge then starves the engine because the Pump cant pump the oil it needs round your engine.....then Pop, its gone. Cost me £3200 to get it fixed with Recon ($6000 +) and kicked me right in the nutts!!!!!!!!!!

Doesnt sound like sludge issue to me though. Get it in for a proper diagnostics mate...

[manhertm]

Pull of the valve cover and look to see.

I with dirytbrd, take off your valve cover and check it for yourself. Is not a hard job to do. I would still do AutoRX anyway though.

[04QuattroTurbo]

Are you guys really using this? It is not recommended to be used with Synthetic Oil.

[manhertm]

Are you guys really using this? It is not recommended to be used with Synthetic Oil.

Use reg oil while you do it and switch back to synthetic when the treatment is complete.

[jursch2211]

If you read on the AutoRx site, it does state that you can run it with any oil. Putting it in with synthetic just doesn't do as good of a job due to competing chemicals.

[onceover]

so should i run it with syn or regular?
for how long?

can it be bought somewhere locally or do i have to order it?

[manhertm]

so should i run it with syn or regular?
for how long?

can it be bought somewhere locally or do i have to order it?

It's all there on the website. Not sure if you can get locally.

[initiala4]

eh 1000bucks? Probably try to check with a reputable shop before you dump 1000bucks

[aleccolin]

Auto-Rx works, I've used it many times in naturally aspirated and turbocharged cars.

You have to buy it online, at least I haven't found anywhere else that carries it.

Use traditional "dino" oil and follow their directions closely. For turbocharged cars don't dog the thing while doing the treatment, which means a couple thousand miles of keeping it out of boost (for the most part) which isn't fun, but you'll love your fuel mileage so long as your car is properly tuned.

Oh, and for the initial treatment don't bother getting a filter tighter than maybe 15 microns. Use a 10 or 5 micron filter for the "flush" cycles. If you care to, cut the filters open at the end of each stage and keep them for comparison. Yikes, the stuff that comes out of even a well cared-for engine.

*Note: Don't go TOO cheap on filters, because really cheap ones sometimes pass too high a percentage of 20-25 micron particles, which are still smaller than most of your oil films in the engine, but not if they're heavily varnished surfaces. I usually go standard Purolator, then a PureOne, then back to synth and a Mobil 1.

[junkie1.8TQ]

i'm off my treatment of auto rx... like stated above just run dino with your treatment and then switch back after your rinse phase. I got my large Mann filters form germanoilfilters.com or you can get them at ecstuning.com

I'm running Motul Specific right now and I can definitely feel a difference in the change of oil and i guess the treatment helped also. btw i'm at 55k miles.

[lorvar]

its an 04 with 160000km but dumbass me didnt get any service records with the car, so the warranty wont cover me.

Did you buy it off lease? If so the dealer should have those on record as did mine. I ran into a sludge issue, one turn of the key and it was over. Dealer had previous owners maintenance on record and I had the remaining. Engine and turbo were replaced along with new vac lines.

[Mike02A4]

What does taking the oil cap off while the engine is running have to do with sludge?

Autorx can be used with any group 3 oil including mobil 1 and castrol syntec. I'm 1/2 way through my first autorx cycle.

[04QuattroTurbo]

i'm off my treatment of auto rx... like stated above just run dino with your treatment and then switch back after your rinse phase. I got my large Mann filters form germanoilfilters.com or you can get them at ecstuning.com

I'm running Motul Specific right now and I can definitely feel a difference in the change of oil and i guess the treatment helped also. btw i'm at 55k miles.

Sounds like a bout of Chemotherapy or pet dog on with fleas...

[junkie1.8TQ]

^ Ha!

[TripnA4]

I dont know what year/mileage your car is, but I think Audi extended the warranty to address to sludge buildup.

Whats the extended warranty on sludge buildup??

[lorvar]

Whats the extended warranty on sludge buildup??

I had mine covered. Audi's warranty is extended until 2010 or 2012 BUT you must provide all your oil change receipts. There should be a sticker under the hood or in the glove box stating the warranty.

[04QuattroTurbo]

I had mine covered. Audi's warranty is extended until 2010 or 2012 BUT you must provide all your oil change receipts. There should be a sticker under the hood or in the glove box stating the warranty.

Even if you did the change yourself? Just provide the receipt of the purchase of the oil?

[lorvar]

Even if you did the change yourself? Just provide the receipt of the purchase of the oil?

No, I did the changes at my friends Toyota dealership, bring the oil, filter and out the door for $18, AND I get a receipt. Seriously, it's not worth doing it myself knowing the about the sludge issue.

[04QuattroTurbo]

No, I did the changes at my friends Toyota dealership, bring the oil, filter and out the door for $18, AND I get a receipt. Seriously, it's not worth doing it myself knowing the about the sludge issue.

Maybe, I need to make some "shop" friends...

[onceover]

Alright, im going to order some AutoRx.

How many bottles should i get for a thorough clean?

[onceover]

after a bit of searching I found this thread: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...=engine+sludge

It sounds tempting to try the diesel flush... but i dont want to screw anything up.
Anyone ever hear of trying something like this?