EVERYONE.... I just wanted to warn everyone who has an A4. Two years ago I was driving from Philly to Northern NJ on I95. BAM!! My 2001 A4 1.8T Quattro breaks down. Turns out it was engine sludge. Also turns out that this is a KNOWN ISSUE by AUDI but they never sent out any letters advising owners to come in more often for oil changes etc than the recommended amout of miles between oil changes. Thankfully I came in more often than recommended and Audi gave me a new engine for free since it was their issue. But AUDI refused and still two years later refuses to reimburse me for the $300 towing fee and the SIX WEEKS of car rentals I paid for!!!

 

There is actually a TSB on this issue. It says just that....Audi will replace the engine free of cost of you have records of routine oil changes using synthetic. You should still be happy though, I would pay towing and rental for six weeks rather than a dealing dropping a new 1.8t in anyday.

 

I made a very long thread about the issue, listed as facts about oil sludge, but its good you got your engine replaced.

 

August 2004
I just received a letter from AOA.
They acknowledge oil sludge problem and extend engine warranty related to oil sludge to 8 years.
They have included a list of approved oil that meet VW 502.00 standard.