I just seafoamed my 99 2.8 Quattro last night. I put about 1/3 bottle through vacuum line off the FPR, 1/2 bottle in crankcase, full bottle in fuel tank with full tank. Everything was fine last night after I started it back up, let the smoke go and drove it around. Went to the store this morning and my RPM needle was fluctuating like crazy. According to the RPM needle, the car isn't holding idle, but the car was still on and idling. Also, soon after that, the Oil Pressure Light came on and has stayed on. I checked the oil level and everything is fine. No CEL either. Is my pickup tube clogged? Is my oil pump not working? I have lifter ticking too, would that point to no oil pressure to being with? I was planning on changing the oil tomorrow, would that fix the supposed issue? I'm putting in Amsoil 5W-40. Last time my oil pressure light came on, my mechanic told me I just needed an oil change, which he did, and it went away. I can't afford anymore big repairs after investing over $2k in it in my first year of ownership!! Your input is definitely appreciated.

 

It might be possible that the seafoam freed up some sludge somewhere and it got clogged while trying to recirc up the pickup tube. If I were you, I'd drop the oil pan and check out the pick up tube and screen. I don't mean to sound like this procedure is as simple as checking your oil, but it's more simple than paying out your *** for a new engine. The more you run the engine like that/drive it, the more damage you are doing. I don't think an oil change is the solution. What kind of oil has been used throughout your ownership and previous if you have that info? How many miles?

 

I would definitely change the oil. Seafoam thins it.

 

You plugged the oil filter, change the oil and filter and you should be good to go.

 

Good idea! I don't think fresh oil is going to turn the light off or improve oil pressure if the screen is clogged though so don't count on that. If your lifters are ticking badly it might be too late for anything. Also a good idea to pull the valve covers and check for excessive cam lobe wear before you take off the oil pan to get an idea of how severe it is.

 

Oh damn. Good call.

 

Thanks for everyone's help. It must've been the oil filter as I replaced that with an oil change and no oil pressure light. I still have ticking, but I'm gonna have to do some stuff over the next couple of thousand miles to help fix that. Thanks again for your input.

 

Use a german oil filter from now on, like Mann or Mahle that has a built in bypass valve in case of blockage like that again.
Buy them in bulk from www.ecstuning.com

 

Good thing, I almost had you take appart your engine for nothing!

 

I was under the impression that sludge wasn't an issue in 2.8s, but the Amsoil I put into the car resembled corn syrup and the Mobil-1 I emptied after 2k miles from my last oil change was blacker than coffee. so, i thought it would be a good idea to clean it anyways, but I heard of several other options that would help get sludge out of the engine i.e. oil change every 1k miles, run engine treatment from ECS for 2k mi, or do the "audi" dealer flush that I heard can be done for much cheaper at Jiffy Lube.