Yep, changed twice since the problem showed up.

 

NOt to sure if the vacuum leak has anything to do with it. When he dropped the pan to replace the pick up tube didhe see alot of sludge build up? Check the oil cap and look inside to see if theres any bad sludge build up inside the motor. "MIGHT" have to take apart the valve cover to get a better look."IF" you take apartthe valve covercheck the bearings to see if there badly worn.

 

and check for apparent sludge under the cam cap covers ...... (auditech79s favortie part lol )

 

Alrighty, here is the latest. Oil pressure was 0psi at a hot idle. Tech found very little sludge in the pan or on the head, but changed the pickup tube and oil pump. After that, hot idle oil pressure was up to 12psi, but still under the 18psi idle spec.

However, the tech started looking through the service manual that recommended that he check the oil breather vacum tube that goes from the top of the engine, down the back, and connects to the oil filter housing. Apparently the vacum in this tube influences or controls an oil pressure bleed valve in that housing. The tech found my tube to be in very poor condition and not holding any vacum. After replacing the $90 tube, my hot idle pressure was up to 22psi, so all is well. Who would have though!

Thank you all for your suggestions and help.

 

If it is in fact an oil sludge issue, there is a TSB that covers it and extends the factory warranty to 8 years and unlimited mileage. Part of the issue is the pick-up tube. The other is that the motor was designed with small oil lines to begin with, and once the sludge issue starts, sludge can migrate into any of these passages to cause a restriction, thus result in oil starvation.

One thing you need to check is the cam bearing. If that gets scored, the motor is toast.

Just keep all your reciepts for service, including all the factory services after the warranty period expired, and Audi will cover it if it is a sludge issue.

I just had this happen, and AOA covered everything. If the Service Rep is not aware of the warranty, be sure to mention it to them. Mine didn't and charged me for the repair. Once I got AoA involved, I got a check back for the entire cost of the repair!