Re: Oil in the Intake System

[steveb@falcon.kla-tencor.com (Steven Buchholz)]

 #         The discussion of oil in the intake system reminded me of a 
 #      question I've been meaning to ask the list.  A reputable Audi mechanic 
 #      told me that the oil from the PCV gets into the intake and then into 
 #      the vacumn system.  This oil is what causes failure of the vacumn 
 #      solenoids of the AC programmer head.  Apparently their was a TSB from 
 #      Audi on this and Audi designed a special part to fix the problem but 
 #      according to this mechanic Audi solution was so overly complicated 
 #      that he developed his own which is to put a small lawn-mower size in 
 #      line plastic fuel filter on the main vacumn hose going to the engine.  
 #      Then the oil then collects in this filter and the vacumn solenoids are 
 #      saved.  Anyone BTDT with this problem or a similar solution? I plan on 
 #      trying it when I R&R my solenoids soon.
 #      
Yes, it is entirely possible.  I commend your reputable Audi mechanic ... 
at least he reads the TSBs!  I did not have the problem on my '88 5kCSQW,
but I figured that a $5 fuel filter is cheap insurance.  Installation is 
pretty straightforward as well.  It turns out that the fuel filter that 
is recommended is not from a lawn mower, but probably some carburetted VW 
or Audi, and it just so happens to be the same part that is used on the
urQ and others for a pre filter between the gas tank and the fuel pump.
The advantage of using this filter is that the "outlet" is offset in the 
housing, and you install the filter in such a way as the vacuum line to 
the CC is located as high as possible so the filter could completely fill 
with oil before it starts running into the CC system.  

HTH!
Steve Buchholz
San Jose, CA (USA)