I have a '99 Audi A6 2.8 that is evidently clogged with sludge. No oil is getting to the head. Long story short: Oil pressure warning light and buzzer came on. I shut it down and had it towed to my local European shop. They pulled the pan and found severe engine sludge. They removed the pump (still works fine) and cleaned it and the pick-up screen and as much gunk from the pan as possible. Refilled with oil and started; no circulation to the head as this was becoming quite audible. Inspected cam bearings: fine. Oil passages are clogged. They don't know what to do other than replace the motor.
Can this motor be saved? My local Audi dealer has a de-sludging machine but didn't think it would help in this case. I bought Auto-rx but obviously can't use it until I can get some oil flowing.
How many miles does this car have? IF the only option you have is to replace the motor, i say go ahead and pour in that bottle of auto rx and see what happens, auto rx will liquefy the sludge in the passages allowing the oil to flow . If that does not work then you are back to square one but at least you gave it a shot. Let us know how it goes
The car has been sitting at my mechanic's shop for almost two months. It really shouldn't be run at all. The top end sounds pretty bad. I don't think it's been run for more than 30 seconds at any time since the warning light came on. This is why the cam bearings aren't torched yet we think. I would try the double Auto-rx dose eventually but would like to gather some more info and suggestions first.
You have 2 options, a new engine or try Auto-Rx, you really do not have anything too lose by trying it, look at it this way, you put a new engine in and wonder if Auto-Rx would have worked, did you ever change the PCV on this car, have you pulled the valve covers to see how it looks inside, you are in a desperate spot, can you pull the valve covers off and run the engine while adding oil to the heads, this is just a thought, if it were me I would try the Double Dose and run the engine as long as you can and see what happens, did you buy this car from a private individual or a dealership, but I would get in touch with Frank before you do anything, and run it by him what I said in this post because it could be right or wrong, I am not an expert but what I posted are only my suggestions and should not be taken as an expert's opinion.
Is auto rx heat activated? or will it start affecting the vertical surfaces of the engine on its own, I ask this because if this is the case then an engine such as this would benefit greatly.
ARX works best when the host fluid is at normal operating temperature. Areas that are under pressure will clean up quicker, which is why it takes longer to see results in the valvetrain because of the splash lubrication you normally find in that area.
