Oil pressure

[MacAnthony]

Okay, so background on me. I'm a competent mechanic until it comes to these German vehicles. I thought I could get away with getting one of these and just driving it and doing normal upkeep. I was wrong.

Recently I have gotten the "Low Oil Pressure" warning flashing across the tach when I come to a stoplight. This is an intermittent problem. I changed the Oil and used Castrol 5W-40 full synthetic (as always) from the sister VW shop the dealership I work at has in bulk. 4 quarts because I didn't change the filter. This stopped the light for about a weekend. Last night it flashed again as I got home from an hours drive, but only when I pulled into the spot. This morning it did the same, but I realized if I have it in neutral, this doesn't happen, probably because the RPMs are higher. ANY experience with this? Really trying not to condemn a pump, already have to replace a wheel bearing. The car just turned 77,000 miles.

Also, I have a p2279, p0507, p2187... I know these are all vacuum codes, LEAN. Looking into it, it looks like the switching valves assembly? Is all of this related? Again, I'm not a VW/Audi tech, I work on the easy Toyotas for a living.

If anyone could shed some light on this, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Mac

[98A4TurboAWD]

Okay, so background on me. I'm a competent mechanic until it comes to these German vehicles. I thought I could get away with getting one of these and just driving it and doing normal upkeep. I was wrong.

Recently I have gotten the "Low Oil Pressure" warning flashing across the tach when I come to a stoplight. This is an intermittent problem. I changed the Oil and used Castrol 5W-40 full synthetic (as always) from the sister VW shop the dealership I work at has in bulk. 4 quarts because I didn't change the filter. This stopped the light for about a weekend. Last night it flashed again as I got home from an hours drive, but only when I pulled into the spot. This morning it did the same, but I realized if I have it in neutral, this doesn't happen, probably because the RPMs are higher. ANY experience with this? Really trying not to condemn a pump, already have to replace a wheel bearing. The car just turned 77,000 miles.

Also, I have a p2279, p0507, p2187... I know these are all vacuum codes, LEAN. Looking into it, it looks like the switching valves assembly? Is all of this related? Again, I'm not a VW/Audi tech, I work on the easy Toyotas for a living.

If anyone could shed some light on this, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Mac

I would imagine a mechanic would love these cars. I sure do - they're a piece of cake to work on.

If I'm not mistaken though, you should be using fully synthetic euro blend oil (0W-40) - not 5w-40. This is going to cause sludge build up, trust me, it happened to me. You may need to flush that oil out. Have you ever had any sludge buildup come out when you change the oil?

The codes you have are all codes that pop up when you have a bad pcv valve. Is there a great deal of suction if you try to pull the oil cap with the engine running? If there is, it sounds like a bad pcv valve or bad pcv valve diaphragm.

You can get away with replacing just the diaphragm in cases where just the current diaphragm seal is torn. It is $30 and stocked at most auto parts stores (near me anyway).

[MacAnthony]

I would imagine a mechanic would love these cars. I sure do - they're a piece of cake to work on.

If I'm not mistaken though, you should be using fully synthetic euro blend oil (0W-40) - not 5w-40. This is going to cause sludge build up, trust me, it happened to me. You may need to flush that oil out. Have you ever had any sludge buildup come out when you change the oil?

The codes you have are all codes that pop up when you have a bad pcv valve. Is there a great deal of suction if you try to pull the oil cap with the engine running? If there is, it sounds like a bad pcv valve or bad pcv valve diaphragm.

You can get away with replacing just the diaphragm in cases where just the current diaphragm seal is torn. It is $30 and stocked at most auto parts stores (near me anyway).

I haven't attempted to work on this thing yet. In my head, it's German and I'm going to mess something up LOL. I may have been mistaken saying 5W-40 but in any case it came from the bulk at the VW Dealer so I assume it should be OK for the car? I'll pull the car into the shop tonight to check for suction. I haven't had any sludge buildup at all when I change the oil. I HAVE noticed a slight bit of oil coating on the tube that runs from the turbo to the intercooler though. I don't know if that is really any true concern? It isn't pouring out of there and I can feel and slightly hear my baby turbo spool. I will update later tonight once I have time to tinker with it. Thanks!

[98A4TurboAWD]

I haven't attempted to work on this thing yet. In my head, it's German and I'm going to mess something up LOL. I may have been mistaken saying 5W-40 but in any case it came from the bulk at the VW Dealer so I assume it should be OK for the car? I'll pull the car into the shop tonight to check for suction. I haven't had any sludge buildup at all when I change the oil. I HAVE noticed a slight bit of oil coating on the tube that runs from the turbo to the intercooler though. I don't know if that is really any true concern? It isn't pouring out of there and I can feel and slightly hear my baby turbo spool. I will update later tonight once I have time to tinker with it. Thanks!

A bad pcv valve can cause all sorts of problems. Get that fixed and ensure you're running the right oil and then check back. Coming from the vw/audi dealer I would assume it is. The oil is the same for mercedes/porsche/vw/audi/bmw and some other german cars. However, 5w40 is not going to cut it so you have to be sure.

[MacAnthony]

Pulled my "Dipstick Plug" as I call it and there is insane amounts of suction. I will be condemning the PCV valve.

[MacAnthony]

I also am going to go out on a limb here and say that could possibly be setting my Oil Pressure light as well?

[98A4TurboAWD]

Pulled my "Dipstick Plug" as I call it and there is insane amounts of suction. I will be condemning the PCV valve.

What about the oil fill cap on the valve cover?

I am not sure a bad pcv valve would cause a low oil pressure issue.

[COLD13]

I recently had p2279 and p2187 with an occasional low oil pressure light and a MIL. The dealer installed the pcv repair kit that they recently recalled and the problem was solved. Also, I'm pretty sure that the dealer uses Castrol edge synthetic 5w-40.

[MacAnthony]

What about the oil fill cap on the valve cover?

I am not sure a bad pcv valve would cause a low oil pressure issue.

I can go ahead and check that in a little while and get back to the thread, but it does have some serious blow by issues if I'm dealing with that much suction at that little plug.

[MacAnthony]

I recently had p2279 and p2187 with an occasional low oil pressure light and a MIL. The dealer installed the pcv repair kit that they recently recalled and the problem was solved. Also, I'm pretty sure that the dealer uses Castrol edge synthetic 5w-40.

Oh, so there is a recall on the PCV valve? I may have to look into this a little bit on my own to find what circumstances need to be met. And after just being down at the VW shop, confirmed Castrol 5W-40 Full synthetic

[COLD13]

just type your vin here http://web.audiusa.com/recall/

[98A4TurboAWD]

Oh, so there is a recall on the PCV valve? I may have to look into this a little bit on my own to find what circumstances need to be met. And after just being down at the VW shop, confirmed Castrol 5W-40 Full synthetic

That is good to know. I had no idea it met the spec. Does that go for mobil 1 oil as well? Or just specific blends like castrol, total quartz, etc.

[MacAnthony]

That is good to know. I had no idea it met the spec. Does that go for mobil 1 oil as well? Or just specific blends like castrol, total quartz, etc.

I expect that as long as it is full synthetic, brand doesn't matter. I just know VW/Audi/German recommends Castrol

[MacAnthony]

just type your vin here http://web.audiusa.com/recall/

Well I entered my vin, unfortunately I don't have anything that can be done because nothing came up. "Apparently" All is okay, so this would have to be on my own dime. Only parts, which is why I love my job, but I guess it's time to get digging into how to work on these cars!

[98A4TurboAWD]

Well I entered my vin, unfortunately I don't have anything that can be done because nothing came up. "Apparently" All is okay, so this would have to be on my own dime. Only parts, which is why I love my job, but I guess it's time to get digging into how to work on these cars!

Unclip the 4 coil connectors and slide the connectors back gently so they're out of the way.

Pull the two coils that are in the way of the pcv valve.

There are 7 bolts holding the pcv valve down, 1 bolt holding the coil harness bracket, and 1 bolt holding down one of the hoses going into the pcv valve.

You will only need a T30 bit to do this job.

[A4x]

I would imagine a mechanic would love these cars. I sure do - they're a piece of cake to work on.

If I'm not mistaken though, you should be using fully synthetic euro blend oil (0W-40) - not 5w-40. This is going to cause sludge build up, trust me, it happened to me. You may need to flush that oil out. Have you ever had any sludge buildup come out when you change the oil?

The codes you have are all codes that pop up when you have a bad pcv valve. Is there a great deal of suction if you try to pull the oil cap with the engine running? If there is, it sounds like a bad pcv valve or bad pcv valve diaphragm.

You can get away with replacing just the diaphragm in cases where just the current diaphragm seal is torn. It is $30 and stocked at most auto parts stores (near me anyway).

A bad pcv valve can cause all sorts of problems. Get that fixed and ensure you're running the right oil and then check back. Coming from the vw/audi dealer I would assume it is. The oil is the same for mercedes/porsche/vw/audi/bmw and some other german cars. However, 5w40 is not going to cut it so you have to be sure.

Oh, so there is a recall on the PCV valve? I may have to look into this a little bit on my own to find what circumstances need to be met. And after just being down at the VW shop, confirmed Castrol 5W-40 Full synthetic

That is good to know. I had no idea it met the spec. Does that go for mobil 1 oil as well? Or just specific blends like castrol, total quartz, etc.

The owner's manual for these cars suggests 5W-40. Of course it must meet VW spec 502 or equivalent. Not all 5W40 fully synthetics will meet this spec.

I'm curious, why you think 5W40 might not be good for this engine, when the owner's manual suggest that weight?

One of my dealer's uses Castrol Edge 5W40. Not sure what the other put in.

[98A4TurboAWD]

The owner's manual for these cars suggests 5W-40. Of course it must meet VW spec 502 or equivalent. Not all 5W40 fully synthetics will meet this spec.

I'm curious, why you think 5W40 might not be good for this engine, when the owner's manual suggest that weight?

One of my dealer's uses Castrol Edge 5W40. Not sure what the other put in.

I ran that oil in my car and had sludge after 8k miles. I then saw a euro blend and on the back it noted audi 502 specifically, whereas the mobil 1 5w40 did not. I thought this may have been part of my sludge problem. I have been running the euroblend which is 0w40. Perhaps the castrol is different from mobil 1. I was incorrect in what I stated earlier. I assumed it ran 0w40. If the manual says it, that is what you should run.

[MacAnthony]

Appreciate the help guys. I should be able to do this repair shortly, and necessarily I shouldn't have needed step-by-step, I did look fairly simple, but I appreciate it as well anyways. Makes my job easier!

[MacAnthony]

Will check back in once repair is completed and verified that codes are no longer current and oil light does not flash. If the oil light continues flashing at a stop light, hopefully I can figure it out and it is "inexpensive." (LOL)

[KaleA4]

I also have a problem with low oil pressure at idle, as well as my massive vacuum in the crank case! Please let me know MacAnthony you may be helping me as well. I changed my oil pump and pickup tube and it didn't help personally. Just an FYI, do what you will with that information, also replaced the oil pressure regulating valve as well as main bearings when I was down there.

[MacAnthony]

I also have a problem with low oil pressure at idle, as well as my massive vacuum in the crank case! Please let me know MacAnthony you may be helping me as well. I changed my oil pump and pickup tube and it didn't help personally. Just an FYI, do what you will with that information, also replaced the oil pressure regulating valve as well as main bearings when I was down there.

After some narrowing down, I replaced the diaphragm in the pcv valve and all of my issues were fixed. Cleared codes and I've been driving it for about 3 days now and it has more pickup when I get into the pedal. My blow by issues were corrected and I haven't had a low oil pressure light yet. Check engine light came back on, and I'll get around to checking it, but if a VW doesn't have a CEL on then the bulb has only burned out.

[KaleA4]

Well I'm glad it worked for you, I replaced my PCV unit and it helped, before it would practically die when you popped the oil cap off and now it just lowers the idle ever so slightly. Let me know what you think and again when you figure out the check engine light, man would I love to drive a car I'm paying for monthly :). Any help would be awesome