Just got a supplement to my owners manual for my 04 Passat warning me to use only certain synthetic oils or risk violating the warranty. Seems there have been some sludge problems. What makes the 1.8T so unique as to require special oil - or is VW simply going of the deep end again? David
Which ones?
You mean, like specific brands, or does it say oils that meet VW 505.01? That's been the case all along, for both 1.8T and V6 Passats, AFAIK.
-- Mike Smith
The message which applies to the turbo engine is interesting and somewhat troubling. A letter came accompanied by a supplement for the owner's manual and a list of oils that as of now meet VW's new "oil standard VW 502.00". The letter is troubling because it warns that there has been engine trouble as a result of excessive oil sludge build-up. "After listening to you, our valued customers, Volkswagen is implementing an extended warranty for oil sludge related repairs for 1998-2004 model year Volkswagen Passat with the
1.8L Turbo engines to 8 years from the vehicle's original in-service date without a mileage limitation."As I read this, those of us who followed the original oil standard and change intervals have been at risk of oil starvation engine component failure. Personally, I already knew that turbo temperatures can cook the oil in the turbo bearings and can create high temperature conditions that are tough on oil. As a result I have monitored oil levels and oil change intervals carefully. However, I had not bothered with the expense of using synthetic oil because this was not part of the old standard. I felt that if I changed the oil every 3-5 thousand miles I would be safe and have a high margin of error. The new 502 standard includes only CERTAIN FULL SYNTHETIC oils. Certainly I will now begin using them. The original owner's manual required API service grade SJ and specified that ".... any high quality petroleum- or synthetic-based oil with the correct specifications....." (SAE 5W-40) could be used.
As I view it, almost any type of internal engine difficulties could occur as a result of this issue. Evidently there have been customers who followed the original standard and had serious sludge build up that resulted in restricting oil flow enough to cause the pressure warning light to come on. My guess is that engine failures also occurred and after complaints and some consideration by VW, they decided that the customer was really telling the truth, they had followed the standard and had experienced engine failure. The key will be how reasonable the factory and dealers are in settling claims of excessive oil consumption and other assorted internal engine component difficulties that could be related to inadequate lubrication.
I don't have the letter in front of me, but I read it as saying only those who ->didn't follow the recommended procedures are at risk.
In fact, to get any coverage from the extended warranty, you have to be able to show that you'd followed them.
Well, how interesting. I've had all oil changes done at the dealer where they always used regular 10-30 dino oil in our 2002 1.8T. Beginning at 15K or 20K (I can't remember) I started taking my own synthetic in for them to use. Usually it was 10-30 Mobil 1 but once it was Rotella synthetic 5-40. Hope that was adequate. So I wonder if owners of pre-04 1.8Ts are going to get letters?
Bill
As long as you use quality brand name oil and change it per the service suggestion you are not the owner that is having problems. The engines I see with problems of sludge build-up are the owners who don't change their oil regularly. Ahh... the stories we get when a owner has to produce oil change invoices. The best one was from a few years ago when the owner showed oil changes done for the last 2 or so years with invoices from an independent garage showing an oil change every 3,000miles! Sounds good don't it as proof, well the dates of invoices were OK, but the invoice numbers were something like 1000,1001,1002, 1005, 1006, 1009! Must of been one slow repair service. Yep he still got a free engine.From what I know over in the father VW land all VW turbo's use synthetic oil- which they should. But, over here can one imagine when a VW owner goes in for his/her first oil change and it's not $29.95 but $45.95? That would be the last oil change we ever did on their car. From that day on the owners would go to the quickie oil changes places which charge way less. That's my personal opinion on this issue.
snipped-for-privacy@cvm.msstate.edu.invalid (William Maslin) wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@nntp.msstate.edu:
Yes. I have an '02 Passat with the 1.8T and got the note a few days ago.
Well, speak of the devil...the letter was waiting in the mailbox when I got home.
Yep, just read the TSB today and it looks like us dealer techs are getting the short end of the stick. VW has a habit of cutting the time when something like this comes out such as we do more work and get paid less time to do the repair.
Further to the points already made, here are two more questions:
1.) I bought my '99 1.8T Passat used, but had it dealer certified. I began using Mobil syn oil in it, but have no idea about what was used during its first 50K miles. If it develops sludge problems, would it be my responsibility? Covered by certification?2.) My wife and I don't drive a great deal....maybe 6-8K per year. Am I looking at at least two oil changes (one at mid-year, one at end-of-year)? VW's recent letter I think sez change the oil no less often than 6 months regardless of mileage.
Opinions from 1.8T oficinados? Thanks,
Allan Deutsch W. Oregon
D&LBusch wrote:
That's a good question if you don't have the proof of previous service. I guess if the car was maintained by a VW dealer, they may have the records to prove it.
I'm in the same boat as far as the amount of miles I put on my A4 every year. I change the oil every six months. Been using Valvoline SynPower 5W40 for about the past year and a half (although it's not exactly easy to find), Mobil 1 5W30 before that (since the very first service @5K miles). The six-month schedule means I don't have to change it in the dead of winter nor during the heat of summer. Once each spring and fall and that's it.
- Charlie
98.5 A4 1.8TQMS (51,000 miles) 03 Passat 4-Motion Wagon (19,000 miles)
It used to say 12 mos. I'm in the same situation.
Go with the 5k 6mo and if you change your own oil then keep records and receipts of buying the oil & filter. Personally... I would only run synthetic oil on turbo engines. As for my cars I run nothing but synthetic in my daughters 1.8t Passat, my V6 Passat, my 88 S10 Blazer!
Sounds good. I've only used syn. so far and I've used VW's filter each time. I'll switch to the 6 mos. change -- I don't drive 5k in 6 mos.
The new list of VW approved oil is really weird. Mobil 1 0-40 is listed. Mobil 1 5-40 is not. Shell Rotella 5-40 syn is also not in the new list.
Yeah check the requirements of your engine.
From the back of a bottle of Mobil 1 TRUCK & SUV 5W-40 Meets the API SL/SJ industry standards and API SERVICE CI-4, CH-4, CG-4, CF-4-CF for the desel engines. It did not specifically say VW, but the earlier TDIs should be able to take this oil.
What does your engine need?
I called the dealer here and the $68 oil change for the 98 TDI gets Synthetic Oil! I want to say the Castrol makes the oil that the dealer uses, but it might only be sold to the dealer. I have not found Castrol Syntec in the 5W-40 blend..............yet! :-) That dino (?) oil that came out of this 98 TDI was of course very dirty. I will see what happens when I change the oil again since it now has the syn oil in it.
SO PLEASE DO NOT TAKE IT TO A QUICK OIL CHANGE PLACE!!!!!! If you care about the engine!
later, dave Reminder........ Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them, and you have their shoes. Frieda Norris
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