Ok, well here I go... I found out yesterday that my 2002 Audi A4 has just hit me with the impossible situation.

2 weeks ago, the engine gave way because of engine sludge. Now we got the oil changed every 3000 miles and have all of our receipts. We bought the car 11/2005 from Beach Honda (a used purchase 40plus thousand miles) in Miami, FL. Since then we have had to replace both catalyst converters, an entire transmission, and now this. Now we got the entended warranty, and were still under it. However, they refuse to pay for the 12,500 in repairs, because they say the engine was damaged by 60% Sludge and they can void out the warranty based on sludge. I'm clueless as to what i should do next...

Problem is this, we can go to court (I have my lawyer looking over the paper work now), but thats a long process. Since we bought the car used in 11/2005 we still owe on the car, but now the car is just about only worth the parts...

What are my options here? I'm just looking for advice from as many people as I can, cause Im just stumped now... please someone anyone...give me some good advice.

RC

 

As long as you were using the recommended oil for the car, I can't see how they can fight you on it. Sure, sludge is an inherant problem in some A4's, but as long as you weren't putting garbage in the engine, they should have to honor the warranty. The only time a warranty is voided is if the owner of the product uses it or takes care of it in a way that is harmful or negligent. Of course, read the fine print on your warranty. If it specifically states a condition or conditions that would void your warranty, and this sludge problem fits into that condition, you're screwed. At that point you try to negotiate a less painful resolution. If your problem would not void any part of the warranty, tell them they can't just start making **** up so they can get out of paying for repairs.

I would research Lemon Laws in your state. It sounds to me you got a basket case A4 and should have some recourse from the dealer who sold it to you. The thing I wonder about is what kind of records the dealer has from the PO. But of course, it is the responsibility of the dealer to ensure the car is in saleable condition, especially if they offer a warranty. It would be their fault if the PO traded it in and it still had the original oil it it and they didn't check it out, for example.

Good Luck

 

If you were using the right oil id wait to see what the lawyer says. It may just take a letter from him to light a fire under their ace's.

 

The catalytic converters should have been covered by Audi which has to cover the converters to 80K miles or 8 years.

Sounds like time for a lawyer. If you changed the oil at the appropriate intervals and it had problems, it should be covered by the warranty. Read your extended warranty contract and it will say what is covered, and what is not.

 

yea id get your lawyer to take them out, they should pay for this

 

i was told by a tech at audi that even if you bought the car used, for $60 they can track down who serviced it, and you can "make" audi give you a new motor, due to them knowing sludge is a big problem

 

I wanted to say Thank you to all who wrote.... this is a stressful time and although you didnt have to, you really did help me! I truly appreciate it from the bottom of my heart!

God Bless!

RC

 

wait hold up....sludge. that generally isnt from oil, right? sludge builds up on the valves and that area due to bad gas. no oil should be in there. what gas have you been putting in it?

 

Ummm, sludge is from oil. It is due to either not change the oil frequently enough, or in the case of our cars, the oil getting cooked in the turbo and not using synthetic oil.

that is why Audi a few years ago,

1. Suggested that all people use the larger oil filter which increases the oil capacity of the car by about a half a quart,
2. Put out a list of Audi approved synthetic oils.
3. Increased the size of the oil sump, so that the newer models take more oil.

 

hmm okay. i was thinking the sludge buildup behind the valves.