1.8t Engine Seized

[DanaNicole]

Could you fax the bulletin to me also? My fax number is 732-545-3831.

[DanaNicole]

I also had steering problems and it continues to leak steering fluid and my dealership fixed it three times.

My gosh!!!! I think I better not get on this website anymore. It infuriates me.

[Volari554]

The first thing to do is take it your audi dealership. There is a issue with the 1.8T A4 motors sludging up due to lack of oil changes and non synthetic oil and small oil holding capacity. Originally, the A4's had a 10,000 mile oil change interval using non synthetic oil and a oil capacity of 3.8 qts. It's audi way of saving money by not using synthetic and extended drain intervals, and now they are paying. Another main cause is the PCV system hoses deteriorate and break apart and get sucked down in the oil pan, the oil seperator does not really work that well, due the design of the system. So, when I have a car with a oil light, I have to first check oilpump pressure, if its not sufficient, I have remove the valve cover and check for cam journal cap damage and remove all the caps. If even one has damage, I have to replace the motor, turbo charger, all oil lines, and pcv system.
If no damage is found, I have to perform a desludge procedure which requires me to clean the whole system of sludge, replace oil pick up tube, replace the turbo oil feed and return lines, and replace all the PCV hoses and some check valves and brake vaccum retrictor booster valve. Anyway, the period for this warranty issue it
8 years and unlimited mileage, as long as the customer can show oil changes being done by the manufacturer's policy(every 10k)
Now audi is using a bigger oil filter that increases oil capacity to 4.3 qts and requires the use of castrol 5W40 synthetic oil in their oil changes. I recomend customers change the oil every 5K. Hope this helps
THen again, do the simple checks first, make sure you have sufficient oil in the car, even if the sender is faulty, dont take and chances andhave the pressure verified.

[Volari554]

Originally posted by DanaNicole@Feb 18 2006, 06:37 PM
I also had steering problems and it continues to leak steering fluid and my dealership fixed it three times.

My gosh!!!! I think I better not get on this website anymore. It infuriates me.

Quoted post

Probably a steering rack leaking, I bet if you poke a hole in the bellows boot, fluid will drip out. I have replaced a couple racks under warranty due to them leaking, but there appears to be no leaking fluids externally from the lines or pump area because all the fluid is being retained in the boots of the rack. Good luck

Greg

[T-sport]

Hi. Ive just had the same problem on my 1.8t 2002 reg which has just done 76000 miles.As i was driving home about 40 miles on motorway at steady 80mph the red oil can light came on.I thought it was to tell me that the oil level was low but as it was before i just bought it 2 days before and got it topped up i thought it was a light that needed to be reset by audi.Any way the car was still running fine and as i got to last 5 miles of my journey i heard a horrible rattly/tappety sound from top of engine.I pulled over and had a look.sounded like top end of engine had been starved of oil.Phoned audi next morning and they said they had this problem few times before.Apparently due to car being driven at motorway speeds for long run and then not allowing turbo to run on at tickover caused turbo to crystalise oil on turbo blades and when started up again spits the crystalised oil off and then it blocks the oil drain(gauze)in the bottom of the engine thus stopping the oil pump pushing oil to top of engine.Therefore low pressure light comes on.I am annoyed that such a minor thing could cause so much damage.Car is going back to garage on monday to see what has happened.Will keep you posted.

[davidmjh]

i heard a tech buletin in USA about this being a problem for the 1.8 and 2.0 version, it still call then they might still fix it as they have issued a "tech bulletin" u got nothin to losetryin anyhow!

[T-sport]

thanks Davidmjh i have looked around the web and found the following oil bulliton which is interesting and may be of help to any other owners of 1.8t with low oil pressure problems http://www.munks.com/service_updates/oil_update.html

[T-sport]

Turned out engine was sludged up.Not due an oil service by audi for another 2000 miles.They flushed engine and pump but oil pressure was not constant so had to fit new pump.Alls well now luckily no damage to engine.
Tried to get audi to cover oil pump replacement but refused to admit that oil should be changed more reguarly than service interval.I wish the uk audi dealers were more honest about this problem as the americans certainly are with there tech bullitons!BEWARE ALL -KEEP THAT OIL CHANGED AT SHORTER INTERVALS.

[loadtoad24]

1.8 t engines ReQUIRE SYNTHETIC, get rid the oil and us synthetic your problems will go away this it the resolution from audi also.

[speary]

It should also specifically be Castrol SLX (Audi VW version)