Oil sensor issue - oil sludge? A4 1.8T 2003
10-03-2010, 12:53 AM
#31
Audi Forum - Posts like a Q5
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 531
Re: Oil sensor issue - oil sludge? A4 1.8T 2003
Wowza, that's some nasty sludge - I'd be concerned about my engine long before it looked anything like that.
Adam, even if your car had 1,000,000KM, it should look like that. There's no reason for you not to be able to read the numbers on your cam splash guard - if you can't, you have a problem! I strongly advise not adding anything to your oil unless you know exactly what it is, and what it will do.
Adam, what do the ball bearings have to do with engine oil and/or its additives?
Gemini, post up any codes and I'll let you know if I have any experience with it. You can also look them up yourself if you Google them.
Adam, even if your car had 1,000,000KM, it should look like that. There's no reason for you not to be able to read the numbers on your cam splash guard - if you can't, you have a problem! I strongly advise not adding anything to your oil unless you know exactly what it is, and what it will do.
Adam, what do the ball bearings have to do with engine oil and/or its additives?
Gemini, post up any codes and I'll let you know if I have any experience with it. You can also look them up yourself if you Google them.
Just for you personal service; I removed the ball bearings picture just because my 27 year old brother lives in Regina, just about to get married. I think I will recommend your company to him, as the brides family is rather large and conservative.
Last edited by adamstasiak; 10-03-2010 at 12:57 AM.
10-04-2010, 10:43 PM
#32
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 5
Re: Oil sensor issue - oil sludge? A4 1.8T 2003
I have arrived at this forum with the same problem. I went on a trip and left my car (2003 Audi 1.8T, 105000km at the airport parking lot. Got back a week later, started the car and the oil pressure light came on. I thought it meant low oil level so I checked the level and it was fine. Then looked up the symbol and saw it meant oil pressure instead.
As it was time for an oil change anyhow, and as it seems that is recommended in this thread, I changed the oil and the problem (so far) is gone (Mobil 1 5w30). I will wait and see if the light comes on again in the next few days.
While I had the oil drained I looked inside the fill cap and saw significant sludge as shown in the photo. The one thing I don't see in this thread is how to get rid of the sludge. Do I need to have it flushed? Are there any safe and reliable additives I can use? Or should I simply change my oil again soon?
Any information is appreciated.
As it was time for an oil change anyhow, and as it seems that is recommended in this thread, I changed the oil and the problem (so far) is gone (Mobil 1 5w30). I will wait and see if the light comes on again in the next few days.
While I had the oil drained I looked inside the fill cap and saw significant sludge as shown in the photo. The one thing I don't see in this thread is how to get rid of the sludge. Do I need to have it flushed? Are there any safe and reliable additives I can use? Or should I simply change my oil again soon?
Any information is appreciated.
10-04-2010, 11:43 PM
#33
Audi Forum - Posts like a Q5
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 531
Re: Oil sensor issue - oil sludge? A4 1.8T 2003
Boy. You have sludge.
The good news is that it is not oxydized so your engine is tight.
Stay away from all engine flush staff. You could ruin the engine in 2 minutes.
Use any Castrol oil next time and it will clear it.
I used penzoil additive myself and it cleared mine in 3 days but it was scary to drive the car as it was pumping sludge out the pipe during that time.
The good news is that it is not oxydized so your engine is tight.
Stay away from all engine flush staff. You could ruin the engine in 2 minutes.
Use any Castrol oil next time and it will clear it.
I used penzoil additive myself and it cleared mine in 3 days but it was scary to drive the car as it was pumping sludge out the pipe during that time.
Last edited by adamstasiak; 10-04-2010 at 11:55 PM.
10-05-2010, 12:06 AM
#35
Audi Forum - Posts like a Q7
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Regina, SK
Posts: 725
Re: Oil sensor issue - oil sludge? A4 1.8T 2003
I have arrived at this forum with the same problem. I went on a trip and left my car (2003 Audi 1.8T, 105000km at the airport parking lot. Got back a week later, started the car and the oil pressure light came on. I thought it meant low oil level so I checked the level and it was fine. Then looked up the symbol and saw it meant oil pressure instead.
As it was time for an oil change anyhow, and as it seems that is recommended in this thread, I changed the oil and the problem (so far) is gone (Mobil 1 5w30). I will wait and see if the light comes on again in the next few days.
While I had the oil drained I looked inside the fill cap and saw significant sludge as shown in the photo. The one thing I don't see in this thread is how to get rid of the sludge. Do I need to have it flushed? Are there any safe and reliable additives I can use? Or should I simply change my oil again soon?
Any information is appreciated.
As it was time for an oil change anyhow, and as it seems that is recommended in this thread, I changed the oil and the problem (so far) is gone (Mobil 1 5w30). I will wait and see if the light comes on again in the next few days.
While I had the oil drained I looked inside the fill cap and saw significant sludge as shown in the photo. The one thing I don't see in this thread is how to get rid of the sludge. Do I need to have it flushed? Are there any safe and reliable additives I can use? Or should I simply change my oil again soon?
Any information is appreciated.
1.) The safe method
- Stop driving your car now.
- Pull the oil pan and check on the condition of the crankcase; pull the valve cover and check on the condition of the valvetrain.
- Manually clean as much sludge as possible using small brushes, solvent, etc.
- Get a proper engine flush done.
- Clean your oil pump pickup screen. If there is a significant amount of sludge, just replace the oil pump.
- Do some Auto-RX or Seafoam treatments.
- Run good, German filters and Group IV or V oil only; and, follow a short OCI (I run about 5,000KM).
- If this is all out of your scope of knowledge, skill, or you just couldn't be bothered, find a competent German mechanic and have them do it.
2.) The I-can't-actually-see-the-damage-to-my-engine-so-I-don't-believe-it's-urgent method
- Change your oil and keep driving it; hope that the problem goes away.
10-05-2010, 12:08 AM
#36
Audi Forum - Posts like a Q7
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Regina, SK
Posts: 725
Re: Oil sensor issue - oil sludge? A4 1.8T 2003
Thanks for the compliments on the site guys - I'm constantly trying to improve my game 
And, I've been meaning to do some car shots...hopefully I'll get to it before Winter!
And, I've been meaning to do some car shots...hopefully I'll get to it before Winter!
10-05-2010, 12:12 AM
#37
Audi Forum - Posts like a Q7
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Regina, SK
Posts: 725
Re: Oil sensor issue - oil sludge? A4 1.8T 2003
To be clear, peeking into your oil-filler cap is not a good way to determine the extent of sludge in your engine. You need to check out the crankcase and valvetrain to get an accurate assessment.
10-05-2010, 12:22 AM
#38
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 5
Re: Oil sensor issue - oil sludge? A4 1.8T 2003
There are two ways to deal with it:
1.) The safe method
- Stop driving your car now.
- Pull the oil pan and check on the condition of the crankcase; pull the valve cover and check on the condition of the valvetrain.
- Manually clean as much sludge as possible using small brushes, solvent, etc.
- Get a proper engine flush done.
- Clean your oil pump pickup screen. If there is a significant amount of sludge, just replace the oil pump.
- Do some Auto-RX or Seafoam treatments.
- Run good, German filters and Group IV or V oil only; and, follow a short OCI (I run about 5,000KM).
- If this is all out of your scope of knowledge, skill, or you just couldn't be bothered, find a competent German mechanic and have them do it.
2.) The I-can't-actually-see-the-damage-to-my-engine-so-I-don't-believe-it's-urgent method
- Change your oil and keep driving it; hope that the problem goes away.
1.) The safe method
- Stop driving your car now.
- Pull the oil pan and check on the condition of the crankcase; pull the valve cover and check on the condition of the valvetrain.
- Manually clean as much sludge as possible using small brushes, solvent, etc.
- Get a proper engine flush done.
- Clean your oil pump pickup screen. If there is a significant amount of sludge, just replace the oil pump.
- Do some Auto-RX or Seafoam treatments.
- Run good, German filters and Group IV or V oil only; and, follow a short OCI (I run about 5,000KM).
- If this is all out of your scope of knowledge, skill, or you just couldn't be bothered, find a competent German mechanic and have them do it.
2.) The I-can't-actually-see-the-damage-to-my-engine-so-I-don't-believe-it's-urgent method
- Change your oil and keep driving it; hope that the problem goes away.
10-05-2010, 12:37 AM
#39
Audi Forum - Posts like a Q5
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 531
Re: Oil sensor issue - oil sludge? A4 1.8T 2003
I would not sleep at night if this was mine, yet this sludge is not going to damage your engine tomorrow. I would change the oil ASAP and not wait for 5000 km.
Last edited by adamstasiak; 10-05-2010 at 12:40 AM.
10-05-2010, 12:38 AM
#40
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Regina, SK
Posts: 725
Re: Oil sensor issue - oil sludge? A4 1.8T 2003
Engine flushes are a sticky point - you really should ever do it if you know what they're using, and that it's safe for your engine. I wouldn't assume that because an Audi dealer is doing them, that it's an engine flush safe for your engine. It's probably best to steer clear of a flush unless you're willing to put some time into learning about it. Manually cleaning everything will get rid of most of the problem, and will keep it from being flushed into any oil passages.
I probably should not have given that for advice, as I've never actually done an engine flush. That said, I have heard several experienced engine builders swear by a flush done with proper products.
I'd probably opt for full manual cleaning, then pour in some cheapo oil, run it for a heat cycle, drain and refill with good synthetic. The important thing is that this whole problem can be avoided with real synthetic oil and good OCIs.
I probably should not have given that for advice, as I've never actually done an engine flush. That said, I have heard several experienced engine builders swear by a flush done with proper products.
I'd probably opt for full manual cleaning, then pour in some cheapo oil, run it for a heat cycle, drain and refill with good synthetic. The important thing is that this whole problem can be avoided with real synthetic oil and good OCIs.
