New engine advice

bwilder1998 · Jun 16, 2007

Hi folks, first time poster.

Back in February, I bought a 2002 1.8T w/ 86,000 miles. I drove it for a month then it sludged - bad. By the grace of God I had the oil receipts and VW replaced the engine. Now I have a new engine, new turbo, new timing belt and tensioner, etc, etc. I want to start off right and take proper care of it. Any suggestions for care and preventative maintenance?

Here's what I'm already doing:
Syn oil of course
Premium gas
Cooling down the turbo

calum · Jun 16, 2007

New engine

Hi,
a new engine ,from VW,free gratis,you lucky S.O.B.

oke: Seriously though this happened because the previous owner used dino oil , so long as you stick with a fully synthetic and 5000 mile change intervals (oil and filter) you'll be fine,Calum.:thumbup:

Greizer · Jun 16, 2007

Don't forget the big oil filter. If you change your oil at 5k you shouldn't have an issue. Did you have all oil change receipts? If so was the oil changed on schedule since new? I'm amazed that a car that was maintained sludged so bad. Did they use Dino oil? Just wondering for my own curiosity. Thanks.

390to_da_wheels · Jun 16, 2007

if the engine is new, you should not use the synthetic for about 5000 miles.
and then switch to synthetic. synthetic oil is bad for brend new engine. and the rest is good.

bwilder1998 · Jun 17, 2007

Actually Greizer, I only had receipts since I purchased it myself which apparently was enough to qualify for the warranty. As far as I know, they had always run dino. The way I understand it, the dealership I bought it from (not a VW dealer, it was a trade in) put dino in it too before I bought it too.

Greizer · Jun 18, 2007

Thanks for that. It's odd because I used Dino until 100,000 miles and then the bulletin came out from VWOA to use 502.00 and the new oil filter. I thought i'd be fine since I always changed the oil at 5k. I use syn now, and i'm approaching 120,000 with absolutely no issues, no sounds, no funk in the oil or anything of concern. I hope she keeps going for another 100k but I might have the oil pump and pick up hose/screen changed as a safeguard. My mechanic said he did his as a safeguard and his was looking rough. He got worried after he's had 15 cars in with sludged pick up screens the past few years.

deusexaethera · Jun 18, 2007

Mobil 1.

Grease the PCV hose junctions so they don't bind and tear open, allowing grit to get into the engine.

Change your oil every 3kmi. 5000 is really pushing it for the 1.8t; the turbo just gets too damned hot.

Install a turbo timer to let the engine idle down and cool off if you do a lot of freeway driving.

VW_PASSAT_03 · Jun 18, 2007

what dou mean by turbo timer? and whats all this talk about letting the engine cool down? if i was to drive to canada which is like 6-7 hour drive...i shoud stop how many times and for how long?

D.Passat00 · Jun 18, 2007

oci should vary depending conditions, with 5k max oci. you can do a uoa to confirm that the oci you're using is good.

Greizer · Jun 18, 2007

Yeah I've been using Castrol 5w-40 synth for a while, but I shipped my car to England (couldn't let it go) and could only find Mobil 1 0w-40 that was 502.00 approved so I got that and changed the oil this weekend. Man she's running good now.

New engine advice

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