Look's like BMW is not alone...VW is recalling 400,000 cars!!

[Valmont]

Look's like BMW is not alone...VW is recalling 400,000 cars!!
FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS

DETROIT — Volkswagen of America Inc. has extended its warranty coverage of certain Passat and Audi models for problems caused by oil sludge, which can cause engine damage.

In the past few days, the company has sent letters to about 400,000 Volkswagen Passat and Audi owners informing them of the extended warranty, Volkswagen spokesperson Steve Keyes said today. The company took the measure after receiving reports of engine problems caused by sludge, a buildup of old or dirty engine oil that thickens and hinders engine lubrication.

The problem generally is caused by failure to change the oil on time or by the use of low-quality oil, Keyes said. It affects 1998 to 2004 Passats and 1997 to 2004 Audi A4s that have a 1.8-liter turbo four-cylinder engine.

Volkswagen is extending its usual five-year, 50,000-mile warranty to eight years with no mileage limit on repairs related to sludge, Keyes said. The additional warranty is fully transferable."

[bugzy]

Look's like BMW is not alone...VW is recalling 400,000 cars!!
FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS

DETROIT — Volkswagen of America Inc. has extended its warranty coverage of certain Passat and Audi models for problems caused by oil sludge, which can cause engine damage.

In the past few days, the company has sent letters to about 400,000 Volkswagen Passat and Audi owners informing them of the extended warranty, Volkswagen spokesperson Steve Keyes said today. The company took the measure after receiving reports of engine problems caused by sludge, a buildup of old or dirty engine oil that thickens and hinders engine lubrication.

The problem generally is caused by failure to change the oil on time or by the use of low-quality oil, Keyes said. It affects 1998 to 2004 Passats and 1997 to 2004 Audi A4s that have a 1.8-liter turbo four-cylinder engine.

Volkswagen is extending its usual five-year, 50,000-mile warranty to eight years with no mileage limit on repairs related to sludge, Keyes said. The additional warranty is fully transferable."
Thats not a real recall though. Thats simply if a car didnt get oil change properly.

You should see the Mercedes recall of over 600k cars

[GTIcrazy]

Well not so much of a recall as it is a bulletin to only use VW Spec 502 oil in the 1.8T motor...that means only synthetic. The bulletin also extends warranties, but does not call for cars to come in for service.

From what I have read the problem is that dino oils breakdown and with the heat of the 1.8T can coke up the engine with sludge and clog the flow of the oil.

[creanium]

So why is it only Passats and Audis and not A-platform VW's?

[GTIcrazy]

So why is it only Passats and Audis and not A-platform VW's?


1. Passats and A4's have a longitudinally mounted 1.8T and it has a lower oil capacity because of the positioning.

2. Passats and A4's are heavier than Golfs and Jettas, so the engine works harder.

[creanium]

1. Passats and A4's have a longitudinally mounted 1.8T and it has a lower oil capacity because of the positioning.

2. Passats and A4's are heavier than Golfs and Jettas, so the engine works harder.

Thank you. :tup:

[bugzy]

1. Passats and A4's have a longitudinally mounted 1.8T and it has a lower oil capacity because of the positioning.

2. Passats and A4's are heavier than Golfs and Jettas, so the engine works harder.
Yup , this is true.

[Tom (aka Godzilla)]

Hmm......do you think I can blame my creaking suspension on engine oil sludge??

[Arts_1_8t]

so is it better to be running on full synthetic oil? im on castrol's synthetic blend currently, i'll be changing oil this weekend, 3,000 miles is up...so should i just cough up the extra money for full synthetic? i started the synthetic blend since 30,xxx miles and now im at 41,xxx miles, before i was on conventional oil (castrol), which i changed every 5,000 miles, am i at risk?

or should i shut up cuz i have a GTI with a transverse mounted 1.8t engine?

just worried cuz its happening on the 1.8t platform. just because it only happens in passats and A4's doesn't mean it can't happen anywhere else. im just worried.

[creanium]

so is it better to be running on full synthetic oil? im on castrol's synthetic blend currently, i'll be changing oil this weekend, 3,000 miles is up...so should i just cough up the extra money for full synthetic? i started the synthetic blend since 30,xxx miles and now im at 41,xxx miles, before i was on conventional oil (castrol), which i changed every 5,000 miles, am i at risk?

or should i shut up cuz i have a GTI with a transverse mounted 1.8t engine?

just worried cuz its happening on the 1.8t platform. just because it only happens in passats and A4's doesn't mean it can't happen anywhere else. im just worried.
Check GTICrazy's post, he explains why us with Mk4's don't have to worry. :)

[RollinInGreenz]

sludge.....such a technical term...

you don't know sludge until you pull apart a 20 year old 4.2L I-6 from a CJ-7

[Ted_E]

sludge.....such a technical term...

you don't know sludge until you pull apart a 20 year old 4.2L I-6 from a CJ-7

haha or better yet an old Willys...talk about poor quality oil back in those days