Another 1.8T Passat Question

rfiglia · Jan 9, 2005

Hello everyone ,been reading the boards for a few days, I just bought a 99 Passat Sedan GLS 1.8T with every option . Car has 59k miles .We sold our 2001 Jetta (we have a 1 year old , just became too small) This is my 11th VW and my first Passat , so far we love it , very roomy ! Anyway it was a 1 owner car (a family with 2 kids ) Mostly dealer maintained , oil always changed (DINO) with records to prove . First thing I did was install the BIGGER VW oil filter . I have been reading all the horror stories about sludge and oil pump failure and cam seal leakage . I also have been reading about autorx that a lot of people have been using .
Should I go ahead with the autorx then switch to synthetic ? Im just afraid of springing leaks everwhere switching to synthetic at 59k . Has anyone been in a similar situation and did you have success doing so ? Is this AutoRx for real ? I dont know if there is a sludge problem in the engine now. If my oil pump screen is partially clogged will autorx fix it? If I switch to synthentic what is the best way to go here in NY where the climate varys so much? Thanks for any advice .....Rich
Also how many owners out there have high mileage 1.8t's without problems ? Seems people only post when they have problems

Bugzii · Jan 10, 2005

Auto-rx would be a good idea. You can remove the valve cover to better check the condition.

Newer synthetic oils shouldn't pose a problem with seals.

Mine is a 1.8T New Beetle with 80k on the clock. Mobil 1 in service since 25k, changing every 7500 miles. APR'ed since 50k. Coilpacks and MAF replaced free of charge by recalls. Other than that, it's been a reliable daily worker.

BTW, you should check the tranny fluid. Replace it if it hasn't been touched.

[ January 11, 2005, 07:58 AM: Message edited by: Bugzii ]

Steve_RI · Jan 10, 2005

I have 54,000 miles on my 2002 wagon. Other than a coilpack, no problems. I used Amsoil 5W-30 right out of the gate, then switched to Lubro-Moly 5W-40 for the last 20,000 miles or so with a 3oz dose of Auto-rx. I'm currently running GC 0W-30 with LC.

I would Auto-rx and switch to an approved VW 502 oil, GC, Mobil1, Synpower, etc.. Good Luck

vwoom · Jan 10, 2005

Yes. Definitely do the Auto-Rx regimen. LC or a maintenance dose of A-Rx every oci and any of the bigger oil filters with 502 oils and your B5 is good to go.

Rule of thumb: With the limited Passat 1.8T 4qt oil sump, never go past the recommended 5k oci.

Dr. T · Jan 13, 2005

Rich, just be sure to use an A3-rated synthetic...my recommendation would be a 5-40..eg. Castrol Syntec.

You will not have a leak problem, nor do you have to worry about changing the oil more than is req'd by the owner's manual, nor worry about sludge/varnish. Likewise, this type of oil will clean your engine with time.

99 · Jan 13, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by vwoom:

Rule of thumb: With the limited Passat 1.8T 4qt oil sump, never go past the recommended 5k oci.

My wife and I have 2 newer VWs and I never even once considered leaving the oil in for 10K.

Our Beetle and Jetta get changed every 5K. Mobil 1 0W40 and Purolator filters.

vwoom · Jan 13, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by 99:
My wife and I have 2 newer VWs and I never even once considered leaving the oil in for 10K.

I was meaning to say changing the oil on a B5 1.8T on or before 5k miles . No one in his right mind would go past 5k, more so keeping it up till 10k even with the best of syn oils..at least for the VAG 1.8T.

[ January 14, 2005, 02:57 PM: Message edited by: vwoom ]

99 · Jan 15, 2005

Funny thing is, both of our owner's manuals call out for 10K changes. Yeah right.

Both engines are 2.0s.

txmatt · Jan 18, 2005

Yeah, anything over 5k changes in the 1.8T are sure to grenade your engine.

http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=000611

http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=001075

http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=000941

Those are either 5k+ OCI's with good wear, low insolubles, and strong TBN, or sub 5k OCI with lots of life left in the oil.

A more realistic blanket statement would be...

If you want to play it very safe and not do oil analysis, use only synthetic and change at 5k intervals. Synthetic with 5k-7.5k changes is reasonably safe, although analysis will confirm. 7.5k+ OCI should be accompanied by analysis until a safe trend is verified.

Regardless, ARX every 50k or 100k miles is cheap insurance.

2KBMW · Jan 21, 2005

Rfiglia. Like Mr.T mentioned. I would use
Castrol Syntec 5w40. This oil was engineered
specifically to meet the Volkswagen engine
warranty requirements, including testing in
VW TDI engines. I don't know what it costs
in the US but here in Canada, it is now
available at Canadian Tire stores for the
same price as the other Syntec grades. I
bought some this past week for my BMW for
$6.75/qt.(cdn.). It exceeds the following:
API SL/SJ/CF
ACEA: A3/B3/B4
VW 502 00, 505 00
MB 229.3 / 229.1
PORSCHE APPROVED
BMW LONGLIFE-98

This oil is made in Belgium and is the Castrol
TXT SOFTEC 5W40 synthetic. The specs. I got
from the Belgium site are:
vis @ 100 C = 14.3
vis index = 175
HT/HS @ 150 C = 3.6
TBN = 10

TooSlick · Jan 22, 2005

I've run the Amsoil 0w-30,10w-30, 10w-40 and now 5w-40 in my 225 Hp, 2002 Audi TT for 10k mile intervals, and they all work just fine. I don't think the viscosity is all that important in this application.

I'd run 10w-30 instead of 5w-40, simply due to the improved shear stability and better cooling of the lower vis oil.

Tooslick
Dixie Synthetics

aero nut · Feb 12, 2005

All I can say is be careful! I have a 2001 Passat
1.8 with about 70,000 mi. Gummed up with almost no
oil pressure. If I were you I would do an ARX treatment and then do 5,000 oci with best synthetic.
Wish I had caught my problem before it went this far.

wavinwayne · Feb 12, 2005

Just a theory of mine, but wouldn't Castrol TXT 505.01 5w40 synthetic oil be the best choice for the Passat? Castrol TXT 505.01 is the oil for the new VW PD TDI engine & common sense tells me the detergents in it would further combat sludge in the Passat's 1.8T engine.

Maybe I'm all wet. What do you guys think?

vwoom · Feb 12, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by txmatt:
Yeah, anything over 5k changes in the 1.8T are sure to grenade your engine.

http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=000611

http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=001075

http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=000941

Those are either 5k+ OCI's with good wear, low insolubles, and strong TBN, or sub 5k OCI with lots of life left in the oil.

A more realistic blanket statement would be...

If you want to play it very safe and not do oil analysis, use only synthetic and change at 5k intervals. Synthetic with 5k-7.5k changes is reasonably safe, although analysis will confirm. 7.5k+ OCI should be accompanied by analysis until a safe trend is verified.

Regardless, ARX every 50k or 100k miles is cheap insurance.

Txmatt, I was actually inferring to the longitudinal 1.8Ts in B5 Passats of not going over 5k.

The transverse 1.8Ts from the two A4 platform VWs as mentioned above are not as lube challenged as the VW B5/Audi A4. These engines have bigger sumps and are not included in the sludge 1.8T recall(Audi A4 Passat B5 longitudinal 1.8Ts). The recall calls for use of bigger 068 filters, use of 502 oils and strict 5k ocis.

The Passat is a rare and lucky case...it was mentioned that it was driven in cold weather and mostly highway.

Regardless, why push your luck on a sludge engine. Even if I'm doing uoas or not, either pre or post 5k with all these VW horror stories on sludge warranty claims going around, I ain't pushing it!...Also, if I'm not mistaken, I recall in one or more Bitog thread/s that sludge won't really show in uoas.

[ February 13, 2005, 04:22 AM: Message edited by: vwoom ]

GT Mike · Feb 13, 2005

I know this is a bit off topic here, but this thread seems to have quite a few knowledgeable VW folks in it, so I'll ask:

My buddy just bought a '97 Passat TDI. He runs a speed/machine shop and is a Schaeffer's distributor. He was thinking running Schaeffer's Supreme 7000 15W40 in it. Is this a good idea, or is there another oil (Schaeffer preferably) that would work better in this application?

Both of us know very little about these cars.

Ken2 · Feb 13, 2005

Clean the engine with a Neutra purge, 1 ounce per quart of oil for at least 500 miles, then run either #700 15W-40 or, even better, new #9000 full synthetic 5W-40.

I'd clean the fuel system with Neutra @ 1 ounce per gallon for two or three tanks, then use Diesel Treat 2000 consistently.

Ken

CosmicFlash · Feb 21, 2005

"The Passat is a rare and lucky case...it was mentioned that it was driven in cold weather and mostly highway."

That's mine. It now has 121,000 miles. My last OCI was for about a year and 8,000 miles--that was before the sludge letter. I'm doing lower OCI's now.
Most these miles were thru the 4 seasons which saw very hot and very cold temps.
Keep in mind I used, since new, the Valvoline SynPower 5W 40 which at the time was the only 5W 40 oil the an ACEA A3 and VW 502 rating available in the states. It has also proved to be an excellent oil. I went with the OCI's up to 9300 miles as that is the euro spec (15,000 km)and I was running the recommened euro specd oil. There is appearently no oil sludge problem in Europe and they usually do the extended drains. So, in my case I don't think it a "rare and lucky case", just a guy who knows how to maintain a vehicle properly

vwoom · Feb 23, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by CosmicFlash:
"The Passat is a rare and lucky case...it was mentioned that it was driven in cold weather and mostly highway."

That's mine. It now has 121,000 miles. My last OCI was for about a year and 8,000 miles--that was before the sludge letter. I'm doing lower OCI's now.
Most these miles were thru the 4 seasons which saw very hot and very cold temps.
Keep in mind I used, since new, the Valvoline SynPower 5W 40 which at the time was the only 5W 40 oil the an ACEA A3 and VW 502 rating available in the states. It has also proved to be an excellent oil. I went with the OCI's up to 9300 miles as that is the euro spec (15,000 km)and I was running the recommened euro specd oil. There is appearently no oil sludge problem in Europe and they usually do the extended drains. So, in my case I don't think it a "rare and lucky case", just a guy who knows how to maintain a vehicle properly

Cosmic, are you a co-Passatworld member? Vortex?

It's pretty good to know a B5er here at the 121k milestone...

What year? Engine code?

Yep, Synpower 5w40 is a pretty good A3/B3 VW 502.00 otc oil. I did run it for 2 ocis from 20-25k..then switched over to Motul Synergie 6100 5w40. I got a pretty good deal for a case of four 4ltr jugs at $3.63/ltr. If I didn't find that bargain, surely I'd still be running Synpower.

The current fill in my ATW is an Auto-Rx rinse w/ Rotella 5w40 now at 49k miles. Later GC 0w30 and further down Maxlife Syn 5w30/10w30. All are VW 502.00 oils(stashed up on clearance stuff till powertrain warranty runs out at 100k).

I think the lack of 1.8T oil sludge incidents in EU has to do with the hi quality of fuel there...

Btw, I do ocis at between 4.5-5k(50/50 city/hwy = 44mi/day Los Angeles driving)...frequent and recommended ocis are way cheaper and hassle free than going thru the horror of a VWoA sludge warranty claim, imho.

CosmicFlash · Feb 23, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by vwoom:

quote:

Originally posted by CosmicFlash:
"The Passat is a rare and lucky case...it was mentioned that it was driven in cold weather and mostly highway."

That's mine. It now has 121,000 miles. My last OCI was for about a year and 8,000 miles--that was before the sludge letter. I'm doing lower OCI's now.
Most these miles were thru the 4 seasons which saw very hot and very cold temps.
Keep in mind I used, since new, the Valvoline SynPower 5W 40 which at the time was the only 5W 40 oil the an ACEA A3 and VW 502 rating available in the states. It has also proved to be an excellent oil. I went with the OCI's up to 9300 miles as that is the euro spec (15,000 km)and I was running the recommened euro specd oil. There is appearently no oil sludge problem in Europe and they usually do the extended drains. So, in my case I don't think it a "rare and lucky case", just a guy who knows how to maintain a vehicle properly

Click to expand...

Cosmic, are you a co-Passatworld member? Vortex?

It's pretty good to know a B5er here at the 121k milestone...

What year? Engine code?

Yep, Synpower 5w40 is a pretty good A3/B3 VW 502.00 otc oil. I did run it for 2 ocis from 20-25k..then switched over to Motul Synergie 6100 5w40. I got a pretty good deal for a case of four 4ltr jugs at $3.63/ltr. If I didn't find that bargain, surely I'd still be running Synpower.

The current fill in my ATW is an Auto-Rx rinse w/ Rotella 5w40 now at 49k miles. Later GC 0w30 and further down Maxlife Syn 5w30/10w30. All are VW 502.00 oils(stashed up on clearance stuff till powertrain warranty runs out at 100k).

I think the lack of 1.8T oil sludge incidents in EU has to do with the hi quality of fuel there...

Btw, I do ocis at between 4.5-5k(50/50 city/hwy = 44mi/day Los Angeles driving)...frequent and recommended ocis are way cheaper and hassle free than going thru the horror of a VWoA sludge warranty claim, imho.

Sure am! Been a Vortex member since 98' and was an original member of Club B5 (now Passatworld). Don't seem to visit them nearly as often as I'm now a Saab guy

The 99' was a late 99' and I'm thinking AEB if that sounds right--I always got those engine codes confused. Mine did have the newer heat shield design that the 98' and early 99' had problems with coking of the turbo lines.

I didn't know the fuel differed significantly in Europe and don't see how that really effects the oil??

Quattro Pete · Feb 23, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by vwoom:
I think the lack of 1.8T oil sludge incidents in EU has to do with the hi quality of fuel there...

And I think it has to do with the high quality of oils used. No one in Europe uses dino oil in this engine, and certainly not VW/Audi dealers, only high quality stuff like Castrol SLX.

Another 1.8T Passat Question

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