IML337

All,
Yesterday I punctured my oil sump (the second sump I've punctured in 12 months) and it really annoys me. The first time I hit a protrusion on a main highway at 60km/h (Australian roads are TOP quality), and the second time was on a dirt driveway - I think it really just comes down to bad luck - my car isnt THAT low. Anyway, 2 questions:

1. anyone know anything at all about a sump guard or some way to protect such a soft and thin aluminium sump?

2. should the oil light come on when the sump is punctured and the oil leaks out? I know it works on pressure, not the level of oil in the car, but how can you have pressure in the oil system if there is a gaping hole in the bottom of the sump?

Thanks,<ul><li><a href="http://members.optushome.com.au/tstevens/cars/a3mspt/car2.JPG">sump picture - hole is in centre at back</a></li></ul>

DHA

The oil warning light should come on when there is a significant drop in pressure, with your hole this should have caused such a drop in pressure. Did the light come on? If it didnt the sensor may have been damaged in the impact.

Dont know of any sump shields you may have to get one custom made.

A3Sten

The flimsy original plastic sump "guard" is of no use, as you probably noticed... Had mine replaced twice - fell off when trying to get out of snow piles, both times. Now i don't have anything at all below the sump and has so far managed to keep the sump intact.
My dad has an A6 2,7T and he had a sump guard custom made out of some sort of carbonfibre, and it has worked great. My advice is to contact some sort of motorsport/rally equipment firm, they can probably get hold of a decent sump guard for you.

ravenx

...and I ordered it a couple of months ago, but unfortunately because of the double intercooling system it could not be fitted to my S3.

However it fits all other A3 models.

Don't know the part number I'm afraid, maybe Paul can help you out.

Wando

do you have pic or price rav?

ravenx

I left the car at the dealerin the morning for the fitment of that steel sump protection. When I went to collect my car in the afternoon, they told me that "it could not be fitted because the intercooling pipes were right on the mounting screw holes". I never saw how it looked like.

Recently they told me that an 1.8T owner got that part fitted.

The price they quoted was 200 quid.

IML337

I suspect I'll have trouble convincing the guys at my dealer that an OEM guard exists if I dont have a prt number

ah well, I'll see what I can do

thanks everyone

IML337

oil light didnt come on during both incidents - will ask at next service

NedK

Cracked the sump in my A3 1.8T by going airborne over a humpback bridge and landing quite hard on the front end. No warning lights at all. I only noticed it when I saw the large pool of oil under my car in the car park, 20 miles later. Oops!