Piston Slap: The Golden Ticket to the Sludge Factory

Sajeev Mehta
by Sajeev Mehta

Chris writes:

Hi, Sajeev. I’ve got a Piston Slap question for you. I have a 2003 Jetta with a 1.8 L turbo engine. Recently, the water pump failed (at about 68k miles). My imminently competent and trustworthy local independent garage replaced the water pump and told me that they heard a tapping sound coming from the engine. They changed the oil and the sound seems to have gone away, but I was advised by them to trade the car in right away if the sound comes back. Do you have any intelligence on 1.8T VW’s and what their longevity is after overheating?

Sajeev answers:

Thanks to the Internet we all know about the 1.8T’s mad sludging skills. And what you said about your Jetta isn’t exactly confidence inspiring.

Regarding longevity: there are too many variables to say for sure. For example, how long the motor overheated, did coolant leak into the oiling system, the quality and frequency of oil changes, condition of the PCV system and your driving style all play an important role.

And if you’ve (no offense) been bad about oil changes, you’re asking for a sludge problem. After all, this is a small displacement, turbocharged engine with a marginal oiling system that’s pulling a 3300lb Jetta. Luckily, your car is eligible for VW’s engine sludge recall, so talk to your mechanic to see if the work needed (or will need) falls under the warranty:

“After listening to you, our valued customers, Volkswagen is implementing an extended warranty for oil sludge related repairs for 1998–2004 model year Volkswagen Passat equipped with the 1.8L Turbo engines to 8 years from the vehicle’s original in-service date without a mileage limitation. This extended warranty is fully transferable to any subsequent owner. This extended warranty does not affect—and is in addition to—any other applicable warranty covering your vehicle.”

Valued customers, indeed. So good luck with your quandary.

[email your technical queries to mehta@ttac.com]

Sajeev Mehta
Sajeev Mehta

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  • SpecialVisitor SpecialVisitor on May 13, 2009

    @ Steven Lang

    I’ll put it to you this way. The number of VW’s that are traded into Carmax with fewer than 100k outweigh those traded in with over 150k by a 15:1 ratio. That is pretty compelling information. I do have a question for you about how the auction market works. Is it truly representational of the cars available in the used market? Meaning: are significant numbers of “better” cars kept and re-sold by dealers and the rest sent to auction or are most cars sent to an auction once traded? @ marcj I’ve got a Tiptronic as well – so far so good. Thanks to everyone who has commented on my question. I’m appreciative of your opinions and glad we have a forum like this to engender such a conversation. You’ve all given me much to think about.
  • Ohsnapback Ohsnapback on May 13, 2009

    VWs are still garbage. 'Still garbage, after all...these years.'

  • Lorenzo Heh. The major powers, military or economic, set up these regulators for the smaller countries - the big guys do what they want, and always have. Are the Chinese that unaware?
  • Lorenzo The original 4-Runner, by its very name, promised something different in the future. What happened?
  • Lorenzo At my age, excitement is dangerous. one thing to note: the older models being displayed are more stylish than their current versions, and the old Subaru Forester looks more utilitarian than the current version. I thought the annual model change was dead.
  • Lorenzo Well, it was never an off-roader, much less a military vehicle, so let the people with too much money play make believe.
  • EBFlex The best gift would have been a huge bonfire of all the fak mustangs in inventory and shutting down the factory that makes them.Heck, nobody would even have to risk life and limb starting the fire, just park em close together and wait for the super environmentally friendly EV fire to commence.
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