Engine flush ?

[Kev1.8t]

Hi everyone.
I’m not exactly new to this forum, but this is my first post.

I’ve got a 2002 1.8T, and after reading a lot about the oil sludge problem I’m worried about it happening to mine.
I bought it from a trader 7 months ago who serviced it and changed the cambelt and waterpump. As I cant be sure if fully synthetic oil was used I’m going to book it in at a local independent garage for an oil / filter change. Question is, as the car is running fine, is it worth doing an engine flush and possibly risk dislodging something nasty ?

One other question; when the boot is open the light inside doesn't come on and nothing shows on the DIS. Any ideas ?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Kev

 

[aragorn]

How does the oil thats in there look, if it looks rank then its defo worth doing a flush. Or if the service history is a little dubious, again probably worth it. If you take a look at the underside of the oil cap and inside the rocker cover, if they're gungy the engine internals are likely the same.

On one hand the flush might dislodge something, but on the other, that something could equally come dislodged with normal oil in it and do the same damage imo.

If your going to do it, I would look at doing a diesel flush on it: warm the engine up (not fully but enough so its on the guage) then drain the engine oil and refill the motor with diesel upto the normal max line. Start it up and run it for about 10-15mins at idle, with short periods of 2krpm every three minutes or so. DO NOT load the engine up or allow the turbo to spool up, just gently raise the RPM for say 20-30secs then drop it back to idle.

After that, drain the diesel out (watch your fingers, it will be hot), refill with normal (but cheap) engine oil and a new filter, and then about 100-200miles later you'll want to do another oil change with your preferred oil and a new filter.

You'll likely be amazed with the amount of crap that comes out of it, if its been neglected.

 

[Awesome_Andy]

We recommend doing an oil flush at every oil change, that way your putting clean oil into a clean engine, and it only costs a tenner or so. As said above, if you have any worries about the service history with it then its a good way to go.

 

[ScottyP45]

I had the onset of black sludge - from the dealer (indy) i bought it from doing an oil change using normal mineral oil (found the receipt in the papers) - so I used wynns engine flush, 2k rpm for 15 minutes they recommend - flippin oil was scalding hot.

I drained it dry, It came out black and tarry. I refilled with new fully synthetic and a new oil filter - the light hydraulic tappet noise that had alerted me to the oil had gone - it ran like a top after the oil change. I also replaced the dipstick tube as it was badly perished.

I would have gotten a garage to do it, but it only took me 2 hours and cost £42 in parts from the factor, including a new sump bolt from the stealers at £1.50 since the crush washer shouldnt be re used.

If you're unsure, changing the oil now before it becomes a problem will save you grief later on

 

[Kev1.8t]

Thanks for the replies.

Service history was reasonable before the last service; 3 Audi and 2 BMW specialists. The oil filler cap looks OK, but if general opinion is that it wont do any harm I might as well be on the safe side and get it flushed.

Anyone any ideas about the boot interior light problem ? Just had to hunt around in the dark again to find my lunchbox ! It a saloon by the way.

Cheers.

 

[AndyMac]

Presumably you've checked the interior light bulb?
If the bulbs OK then you just need to check there's 12v getting to it using a 12v testing screwdriver and go from there.