Jamoalana

i pulled the valve covers yesterday while i was in the process of doing a timing belt and there is yellow sludge/goo on the inside of the cover??? it also made its way throught the breather hose and i am guessing is probably in the intake manifold....i have a plugged EGR passage that i am clearing with a check engine light on?? is the EGR causing this?? is it really serious?? its a 12v.
thanks

moribundman

not related to the plugged EGR passage, which you should of course clean out!

When the engine cools down, condensation (water) occurs, especially in cold weather. If you drive mostly shortly distances, the engine oil does not get warm enough or warm enough for a sufficiently long period to "burn off" (vaporize) the water. The nasty stuff you see under the valve covers and in the valve cover breather hoses, and also likely in the plenum, is a frothy mix of oil and water.

1. Clean out the valve covers and breather hoses. Check for cracks in the breather hoses.

2. Check if the PCV system is functioning properly without leaks and obstructions. Make sure the small vacuum hose that goes from right under the driver side breather hose connection on the plenum to the throttle body is not clogged and connected at the plenum and the throttle body (that hose tens to fall off and this goes easily unnoticed).

3. Drive the engine until the oil gets up to operating temperature (ca 185-200 F) and then another 15 minutes to prevent moisture buildup at least a few times a week.

Since your oil is probably in not great shape, I suggest you change the oil and filter. A good 5W-40 (looks for VW 502.00, VW 505.00, VW 505.01 or VW 503.01 spec or ACEA A3) works all year round. If you are in real cold climate, you may want to consider a 0W-30 or 0W-40 oil (same VW specs as previously listed).

Jamoalana

thats my problem exactly!! i swear i have searched some of your posts...and you should be an audi engineer(sp?)!! anyways where is the coolant temp sensor located on the 12v?? thanks

Jamoalana

im a dumbass....theres a post for the temp sensor about 2 posts down....nevermind..

Luxus Panzer

what is a good 5W-40 (VW 502.00, VW 505.00, VW 505.01 or VW 503.01 spec or ACEA A3) oil that I can find easy at wal mart or FLAPS??

moribundman

you can find Valvoline 5W-40 at NAPA and PepBoys, Castrol 5W-40 at AutoZone and Mobil M1 5W-40 possibly at Kragen. Castrol 5W-50 may be available at Walmart, but I haven't gone there in a while.

Mr Paul [T-28]

FLAPS = Favorite Local Auto Parts Store

moribundman

OMG! LOLz!!!!! ;-)

Luxus Panzer

he he he, lay off the donuts Mori. (thanks 4 the info)