Sludge?
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Joined: Nov 2003
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Sludge?
My 2004 A4 1.8T has 32K miles. I change oil (German made Castrol Syntec 5W-30) every 5K and filter every 10K. I changed the oil in my car 3 weeks ago using Pela 6000 extractor but didn't have a chance to empty the container until today. After dumping the oil, I noticed some black sludge at the container bottom. This got me worried that I may also have some oil sludge in the engine. What can I do check for sludge in the engine? Could sediments in old engine oil form sludge after couple weeks? Any suggestion is greatly appreciated.
Keeper of the Cash
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 26,521
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From: Iowa
Start by changing the filter EVERY time, stop using an extractor, and make sure you get the oil
up to normal operating temp every drive.
Why do you change the filter every other change? Pay the $6 for a new filter and do it every change.
Get under your car, drain the oil the way it was designed to be and stick your hole in the drain. Feel around and see if there's any build up in the oil pan.
Why do you change the filter every other change? Pay the $6 for a new filter and do it every change.
Get under your car, drain the oil the way it was designed to be and stick your hole in the drain. Feel around and see if there's any build up in the oil pan.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Aug 2002
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Ding, Ding, Ding on every count
Those extractors are total and complete crap.
There is not one good reason why the filter should not be replaced at every oil change. None.
It's not hard to change the oil. Use that time under your car to do a visual inspection of everything else (all four CV boots especially), look for other fluid leaks, check out the exhaust etc. That's what I do when I change the oil. I'm down there anyway, might as well see how the car is doing.
There is not one good reason why the filter should not be replaced at every oil change. None.
It's not hard to change the oil. Use that time under your car to do a visual inspection of everything else (all four CV boots especially), look for other fluid leaks, check out the exhaust etc. That's what I do when I change the oil. I'm down there anyway, might as well see how the car is doing.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Aug 2002
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Just because a dealer uses an extractor, does not make it right
Let's be clear here. A dealer's service center is there to make money FIRST, then maintain your car properly second. If the first goal isn't met, the second goal certainly won't be met. Using an extractor is quicker. Quicker means that cars sit in the service bay for far less time, which means they can turn over more oil changes per day. Whether they bill AoA for that oil change or the customer pays out of pocket, does not matter. The dealer is getting paid either way.
Don't make the mistake of assuming that performing proper auto care outweighs turning a profit.
Don't make the mistake of assuming that performing proper auto care outweighs turning a profit.
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AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Boston MA
True. My dealer still does it the way of putting the car up on a lift and draining the oil
but lot of DIY enthusiasts have compared the amount of oil the extractor removed to draining it out the old fashioned way and results were in check.
You're right though, the advantage of draining it from below lets you look at other parts of the car but for those who want an easier alternative and cleaner way of changing the oil, the extractor is the next best thing.
You're right though, the advantage of draining it from below lets you look at other parts of the car but for those who want an easier alternative and cleaner way of changing the oil, the extractor is the next best thing.
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Some suggestions...
First, I use the same change plan as you. In fact, I used my Pela yesterday for my 65k mile change. The OEM specified 10k changes of oil and filter, so while I may change up the oil at 5k, the filter, according to the OEM, is fine for 10k changes.
If you'd like some peace of mind on the oil, I suggest doing an analysis with Blackstone Labs or similar. I've used Blackstone a few times, and when I noticed a slight increase in non-solubles (sludge) back around 40k miles, I ran an Auto-RX treatment and the number went back down to the previous lower number.
As for the suggestions of going to 5k intervals for both oil and filter, if that works for Nate and Jim, I'm happy and respect their position. However, for me, it was 25F in my garage yesterday, and I frankly don't have the time or desire to get under the car every 5k miles when most of my mileage is highway now and my inspection only 3 months ago showed no issues.
FYI, Mercedes and BMW in Europe mandate that the oil be extracted from the engine. They no longer advocate changing the oil from the pan, and in some cases have eliminated the drain plug. (My mechanic is the source of that info. He's Hungarian and very knowledgeable on Euro cars and specifications.)
If you'd like some peace of mind on the oil, I suggest doing an analysis with Blackstone Labs or similar. I've used Blackstone a few times, and when I noticed a slight increase in non-solubles (sludge) back around 40k miles, I ran an Auto-RX treatment and the number went back down to the previous lower number.
As for the suggestions of going to 5k intervals for both oil and filter, if that works for Nate and Jim, I'm happy and respect their position. However, for me, it was 25F in my garage yesterday, and I frankly don't have the time or desire to get under the car every 5k miles when most of my mileage is highway now and my inspection only 3 months ago showed no issues.
FYI, Mercedes and BMW in Europe mandate that the oil be extracted from the engine. They no longer advocate changing the oil from the pan, and in some cases have eliminated the drain plug. (My mechanic is the source of that info. He's Hungarian and very knowledgeable on Euro cars and specifications.)
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2003
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Too late for sending an oil sample to Blackstone for analysis since ...
I already dumped the oil. I'll do this at the next oil change and run an AutoRX treatment if there's evidence of sludge in the oil. Thanks for the suggestion.