1.8t oil light

Hi guys, i have read various threads on this but i am not convinced it is the oil pump. I have a 2001 1.8t sport passat the other day at about 80 mph the oil light came on along with the message "oil pressure stop" for about 5 seconds and went off again, i stopped and checked the oil level which i was sure was ok anyway, no problem, about 5 minutes after setting off again i got the same warning, again for about 5 seconds but this time i was only doing about 60 mph, it hasn't done it again which is why i don't think it is the oil pump, being mechanical it is either broken or it's not, i seem to remember reading somewhere that the vvt is controlled by oil pressure and can cause similar symptoms if it develops a fault which brings me on to the other things that seem to be occuring since the light came on there is what can best be described as a buzzing sound from the back of the head at arround 2500 - 3000 rpm just for a second or two as you pass through the rev range, only does it under load can't be replicated just by reving the engine and the engine seems to have lost some performance it feels as if it is hesitatating i had a new air mass sensor at the last service 3000 miles ago and the symptoms for that were similar also the tick over has become arratic at times and it won't always start first time when hot, phew i think thats it sorry, lol it has done 73,500 has full vw and specialist service history and my dealer says they can find nothing wrong, any suggestions gratefully recieved. Nige.

I don't know about the VVT setup at all, but my brother's A4 had intermittent oil pressure alarms. He did some reading up and found that it is common for the sump to accumulate carbon/sludge deposits. The solution is to take sump off, clean the muck out, clean oil pick up pipe, and replace the turbo drain line, which is the source of said muck!
His car was suffering from slightly noisy hydraulic tappets and had done 90k with fsh.

Agree with Scotty.

Thanks for your info guys, our local specialist suggested something similar yesterday only he wants to use a flushing oil and change over to fully synthetic and then flush it again at the next service approx 5000 miles away, he doesn't think it's to bad as the light didn't stay on and hasn't done it in over a week now, thanks again.

See post #5 and #6 in this thread:

https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum//...ead.php?t=7845

BigCol sounds like a knowledgable guy and advises against additives / flushing agents though I've also read in other threads that the engine flushing agents (that basically thins the oil to help it drain) help remove gunk in the oil pipes that feed the tappets. Jury is out, I guess.

https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...ad.php?t=12108

yes i've read that too Herby, but this guy is talking about a proper flushing oil not just an additive, you drain the engine then put this stuff in instead of the normal oil, run the engine for a specified period then drop it out and do a normal oil change he says all turbo motors should be run on fully synthetic as they don't break down like mineral oils hence the sludge as you say jury's out i will let you know after tomorrow if there is any difference. Nige.

Well so far so good, engined flushed out and vw fully synthetic oil in place, have done about 300 miles since and the difference is amazing, engine is quieter and smoother than it was, not that it was noisy to start with, but you can tell when you drive it everyday. also oil is still clean whereas with semi it would have been black after a couple of days, i'm going to have it flushed at the next service just to be sure the sludge has gone but fingers crossed, thanks to those that replied, will keep you all posted. Nige.

I think if I were faced with the situation you are in, rather than drop the sump, I would indeed flush it first.

My personal preference is never to ordinarily use flushing oil or a flushing additive as if you adequately maintain and service your car, it should be needed.

The oil sludging issue on the 1.8 engine is probably the best advert ever to certainly ditch long life serving and consider reducing anyones oil change frequency if they are 10000 intervals to 5000 miles.

Glad it has worked for you.

You didn't use synthetic oil :confused: in a turbo charged car , no wonder it has sludge !

Calum.

as used by vw main dealers and as recomended in the owners manual must be nobody took the trouble to tell them.....