Volkswagen & Audi Sludge Problems

Volkswagen is requiring its dealers to use synthetic oil and a larger oil filter in the 2005 Passat and Audi A4 � up to 426,000 vehicles may be affected. Specifically, the 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines on 1998 to 2004 Passats and 1997 to 2004 Audi A4s. Sludge buildup causes engine performance to deteriorate. In extreme cases, sludge can cause engines to seize.

A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration source said the agency has had 12 to 15 sludge complaints for 2000 to 2004 Passats and A4s. One complaint was about an engine seizure. VW dealers are seeing the problem mostly with owners who don't follow the recommended oil change intervals, said Gene Langan, of Gene Langan Volkswagen Inc. in Glastonbury, Connecticut.

"I've seen a few cases," he said. "It seems to happen mostly when we can't verify oil change history, when people don't do them for 20,000 miles. I think that this is a problem that is pretty broad in the industry right now."

In its letter to Passat and A4 owners, VW says that it will cover necessary engine repairs if oil sludge causes a problem and the vehicle owner could provide proof of oil changes. Oil changes would have to be according to VW-recommended maintenance schedules. VW recommends that oil be changed at 5,000 miles or six months.

How it occurs

The letter states that engine oil sludge occurs when old, dirty engine oil thickens and cannot continue to provide correct lubrication. It says the condition occurs primarily when the engine is operated at oil change intervals beyond those prescribed in the owner's manual.

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