Low Oil Pressure Mystery

[Cody Forbes]

Did you replace the pickup screen while the pan was off? Because of the 
shape of the pickup you can not see in there very well. Through the opening 
you see some screen that may be clean and say "hey its good" but you may not 
realize that the bit of screen you can see is less than 50% of the actual 
surface area. I think the pickups are $20-30 and would either clean VERY 
VERY VERY thoroughly or replace it every time the pan comes off (with 
obvious exceptions like recent replacement).

Are you running the large spec oil filter? The 'standard' filter is about 
the same diameter as the housing it threads on to, the large filter is about 
2" larger in diameter.

IIRC oil pumps aren't very expensive and I know that they sell a lot of 
them, so don't rule it out.

-Cody

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Douglas Fifield" <douglas.fifield at gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, July 01, 2011 1:28 PM
To: "Audifans" <quattro at audifans.com>
Subject: Low Oil Pressure Mystery

> Hedz,
>
> Patient is an 01 A4 1.8T belonging to my GF.  The car was bought used
> with about 80K on the clock.  It has been throwing low oil pressure
> warnings for some time.  Car needs to be completely warmed up and the
> warning light flickers on periodically for a few seconds and goes off
> - usually when going uphill.
>
> We dropped the pan expecting to find signs of sludge, but did not.
> What we did find were small, bright, non-magnetic shavings.  We
> theorized that the shavings were being sucked up against the intake
> screen and reducing the oil flow.  Cleaned everything out and buttoned
> up the car.  Problem was not fixed.
>
> Pulled the valve cover thinking that if aluminum was flaking off
> somewhere, that was the likely place.  All cam bearings look good.  No
> sign of wear.
>
> The engine sounds good.  No knocks or other unusual sounds.
> Compression is good.  We are puzzled.  Next step is to replace the oil
> pump. Still no idea of where the shavings might have come from.
>
> What does the collective wisdom of the list say?
>
> -- 
> Douglas in MN
> 95.5 Audi S//6 Avant
> 08 Prius Touring (50 mph reg)
> 73 BMW R60/5 mit Toaster Tank
> 82 BMW R100S mit Russkie Sidecar
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