Audi A4 Sludge Problems

18 messages,  Last post on Sep 28, 2011 at 7:09 PM

You are in the Audi A4 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Audi A4, Convertible, Sedan, Wagon

#11 of 18 update to fuel tank replacement by nwalkley

Apr 01, 2010 (4:43 am)

I had posted earlier this year problems with fuel tank resulting in a $3600 bill for replacement of tank in a 4.5 year old A4 2.0 Quattro. I sent an email to Audi on the national level, got a call from customer service next day, and within a week it was decided dealership that did the repair would reimburse me $1800 which I received 2 weeks later. It pays to complain. And I do not plan on servicing the car there anymore, needless to say!

#12 of 18 Audi A4 - 2005 - ignition cylinder by nwalkley

May 06, 2010 (1:24 pm)

Latest repair issue which is going to prompt me to sell this car as soon as it is fixed: car would not start. local mechanic could not fix, thinking it needed the Audi of America computer as it may be a key recoding problem. no - not that simple says Audi dealer - need new ignition cylinder - $545 plus tax....anyone ever heard of this? I think hitting the 5 year mark is resulting in this car I loved turning into a nightmare of repair bills.

#13 of 18 A4 Quat 99 - Hesitating in low RPM's in mostly 1st and 2nd gears by 99a4q

Jul 22, 2010 (6:30 am)

First Post- Any help would be appreciated.
 
My A4 recently started acting up when pulling into traffic. At around 2K RPM's the car stutters and is sluggish, but once moving seems OK. To pull into traffic, I need to get RPM's much higher in order to ensure performance. Ironically at the same time the hesitation began occuring, the Air Conditioning would fade out when sitting in traffic and would only condition the air once moving. There is a slight "Catch" I can fill before the air begins to run cool. (not sure if there is a belt that operates the AC or not and unsure if the issues are related)
 
Thanks
Tim

#14 of 18 2004 AUDI A4 SLUDGE ISSUE GONE GOOD by fordman214

Jul 29, 2010 (7:42 am)

I KNOW THERE ARE TONS OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS HUGE PROBLEM AND HAVING ALOT OF COMPLAINTS, SO I FIGURED I'D SHARE A GOOD ONE. BOUGHT AN A4 FROM A SISTER IN LAW THAT HAD 134K MILES FOR $3500. PRETY GOOD RIGHT? MADE IT 170 MILES, THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WENT UP IN A BALL OF SMOKE AND SOUNDED AS IF THE VALVES WERE STICKING OUT THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. I DID MY RESEARCH, GATHERED OIL RECIEPTS AND TOWED IT TO AUDI OF NORTH SCOTTSDALE. SERVICE ADVISORS WERE HELPFUL AND KNOWLEGABLE. THEY CALLED ONE DAY LATER WITH NEWS THAT MY NEW ENGINE WOULD BE THERE IN TWO DAYS AND WOULD BE READY IN ABOUT FIVE DAYS. CAR IS LIKE NEW AND WILL ONLY USE AMS OIL SYNTHETICS FROM HERE ON OUT!

#15 of 18 Re: sludge blues [ivaylo76] by deba4

Dec 01, 2010 (1:31 pm)

Replying to: ivaylo76 (Mar 14, 2010 9:14 pm)
Not sure if this is related or not. I have a 2004 A4 3.0 with 82K miles. I bought the car new and have had the dealer do every single service on the car. No one has touched the engine except for the dealer. I have never had the oil light come on or added any oil to the car. But I now have to spend $3500 to fix the damage done by a worn/warped cam shaft lob that ultimately broke a lifter. I had no warning lights, no loss of power or bad engine performance, just a loud clicking noise after the car sat unused for 5 weeks. I asked the dealer what would cause this and he said "they don't know" but maybe oil sludge.

#16 of 18 Sludge problem and Engine Damage after Audi Dealer Changes Oil by audiowner1

Feb 13, 2011 (11:09 am)

Within 10 minutes of pulling out of the Audi dealer after it had changed the oil on my 2004 A4 Cabriolet, 3.0 engine, with 109,000 miles, the oil light went on. Called dealer, who thought it might not have put in enough oil. Completed drive home and then next day drove to another Audi dealer that was open, and oil light went on again about 10 minutes into drive. 2nd Audi dealer confirmed oil level was proper. Then drove home, during which oil light went on again after 5-10 minutes. Car started driving roughly. 1st Audi dealer towed in car and claimed that engine "might" have sludge problem that first appeared (mysteriously) immediately after it had completed the oil change. 3 days later, dealer claims car needs a new cylinder head. Car was fine before the oil change, and now needs $4,000 repair. Make any sense to anybody?
P.S.: The dealer had always used regular oil, but for the first time had suggested synthetic oil before this oil change. Not understanding why a 7 year old car would suddenly need more expensive oil, I had them use regular oil. Did they know something I didn't?
P.P.S.: The recent class action settlement was for the 1.8T engine. Has anybody else had similar problems with a 3.0 engine?

#18 of 18 Re: Audi A4 2.0T Quattro Sedan 2009 problems [bmlexus] by rd7

Sep 28, 2011 (7:09 pm)

Replying to: bmlexus (Jan 07, 2010 8:13 pm)
Just wanted to update all you folks who have or are unfortunately planning to buy the Audi (lemon) A4 2009 or newer models. My 2009 A4 sedan now has 30K miles (and under factory warranty), has been drinking oil every 2000 + miles, so needed to top off oil very frequently, brought up this issue to 2 Audi dealerships on several occasions, and finally one dealership, found faulty Piston Rings which are being scheduled for a replacement job. So much for the Audi 'Logo' / 'Status' of being a luxury / sporty / fun / reliable car. Does not even remotely fit any of the above mentioned characteristics. You would have far better luck even with a Toyota!! NO more AUDI / NO more German makes. SUBARU makes equally good AWDs + has the boxter engines, with reliability, comfort, handling, safety superior to the Audi.
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