Volkswagen cars are known to be durable, long-lasting, and safe. They’re affordable cars with luxury features. These factors are what makes the brand so appealing.

As great as these cars are, like any, they have their fair share of issues. Like a majority of cars, Volkswagens accumulate oil, dirt, and debris within their engines. When ignored, this problem could lead to thousahttps://daseuropeanautohaus.com/european-auto-oil-change/nds spent on repairs. In severe cases, an accumulation of “oil sludge” could impact how the engine functions.

What’s Oil Sludge?

Over time, the oil that keeps your car operating mixes with outside elements. It creates a nasty mixture of old oil dirt, debris, water, and coolant. This creates a sludge-like material that gets inside your engine and other parts of the car. It’s dark in color and extremely greasy; as one would imagine.

You may be wondering, “doesn’t my car need oil?” The answer is, yes! Your car needs clean oil to function properly. However, once that oil is tainted, it no longer serves a valuable purpose.

Other Ways Oil Sludge Develops

Oil sludge also emerges when you use lower grades of oil. It’s always best to use premium quality oil to get the best results. In addition, neglecting to change your oil filters leads to an accumulation of dirt and debris. That’s why it’s highly suggested to get on a regular routine of changing your oil and cleaning your filters to avoid this issue.

Key Symptoms to Look For

One of the primary symptoms of oil sludge build-up is lowered oil pressure. Your Volkswagen may alert you when it this occurs. If you have an older model, it’s suggested to seek professional help to determine the cause.

Oil sludge can also cover the top of your oil filter; making it virtually impossible to get inside without specialized tools. These symptoms, along with odd noises and strange smells are key indicators of oil sludge.

How to Eliminate Oil Sludge

One of the first ways to eliminate oil sludge is to get in the practice of regularly changing your oil. It’s suggested to change your oil every 3 to 4 months. Get in the habit of scheduling those appointments so you aren’t subjecting your car to sludge.

Next, you have to “flush” the oil out of your car. You can do this by purchasing specialized flushing treatments. Remember, go for quality when selecting this product. The last thing you need is to have a cheap product cause disastrous effects.

An engine flush goes directly in your engine cap. Follow the directions on the packaging to determine how much should go inside. Make sure you follow these directions closely to avoid possible damage. After you’ve tightened the cap, start your car and leave it in park. The trick here is to not drive the car; just let it sit for 15 minutes. By warming up your engine, you’re letting the liquid work its magic.

As your car heats up, the sludge will eventually liquify. This will allow the sludge to flush out completely. Next, you have to drain the oil. You begin by taking off the drain plug and exposing the sludge. Be careful, as it will ooze out. It’s recommended to have a filter or some sort of bucket that can catch the oil without it damaging your interior.

After you’ve removed the cap and let the oil drain out, you have to flush out the compressor. You can do this by using a specialized hose that lets air flow through the system. This will expedite the draining process and work to remove excess dirt.

The final steps involve changing your filter and adding fresh motor oil. This provides you with a fresh start as you work to keep your car well-maintained. After you’ve finished this step, write down the date of the change. Then, you’ll know when it’s time to switch out your filters and change the oil.

How We Can Help

Although there are do-it-yourself methods for removing sludge, it’s best to leave this to the professionals. The experts of Das European Autohaus serve the Spring and Houston, Texas areas. We’ll help you maintain your car and avoid issues with sludge build-up.