The Impact Of Volkswagen Oil Sludge Buildup On Engine Performance

Has your Volkswagen engine been acting a bit weird lately? And you have no clue- what’s going on and why your vehicle has been struggling to perform smoothly… Well, one reason is that too much sludge has accumulated in engine oil. The purpose of this blog post is to make you aware of the dangers that oil sludge may pose to a car engine. Let’s start by discussing the basics of oil sludge like what is it and how does it form.

Oil Sludge: What Is It & How It Comes Into Existence?

Before we start discussing the way oil sludge may impact your vehicle’s overall performance, it is important that you understand the basics of oil sludge formation. Things that may contribute to the formation of oil sludge in a car engine include- motor oil break down, accumulation of debris and metal fragments, and abnormal pressure build up inside the system. It is a sticky substance that can wreak havoc on your car engine… if goes unnoticed.

Listed below are a few issues that you might have to deal with should too much oil sludge get accumulated inside your Volkswagen engine.

Impacts On Car Performance

#1- Reduced engine efficiency

Strange as it may seem, your Volkswagen engine will not function as efficiently as it should if oil sludge gets accumulated inside the system. Want to know why? Well, oil is crucial for an internal combustion engine to function smoothly and efficiently. By keeping closely fitted metal parts lubricated, oil aid the engine in generating requisite mechanical torque. Accumulation of too much sludge can block oil passages and obstructed oil flow can significantly diminish the engine’s efficiency.

#2- Irreparable engine damage

Oil sludge- if not get removed on time- can damage your Volkswagen engine beyond repair. In addition to lubrication of tightly fitted metal parts, motor oil plays a crucial role in keeping the engine interior cool. Over time it can get sludgy due to the accumulation of dirt, debris, and metal fragments- and won’t be able to dissipate excess engine heat efficiently. This is something that may contribute to engine overheating among other issues. Overheating can contribute to wrapped parts and other major engine repairs.

#3- Other performance issues

Sluggish acceleration, stalling, rough idling, and misfire… are some of the performance-related issues that you might have to deal with if too much oil sludge gets accumulated inside the engine. Efforts should be made to get the issue diagnosed before things take a turn for the worse.

As you can see, oil sludge buildup can contribute to all sorts of drivability problems in a vehicle and it may even damage an engine beyond repair. Fortunately, there are signs you can look for if it occurs to you that your Volkswagen engine has accumulated too much sludge that need to be flushed right away.

Signs Of Oil Sludge Build Up

#1- Reduced oil pressure

As we’ve discussed earlier, sludge formation can clog up oil passages inside the engine. Obstructed oil flow because of a clogged oil passage can result in a drop in oil pressure. So if your Volkswagen’s oil pressure warning light is on, the very first thing that you should do is to check for clues of excess engine sludge formation.

#2- Engine overheating

Has your Volkswagen engine been running hot lately??? It could be due to the fact that too much sludge has accumulated inside the engine. This sticky substance can obstruct oil circulation inside the system. Obstructed oil flow can contribute to engine overheating– in addition to a wide range of other issues.

#3- Visible sludge

One way to tell if your car engine is indeed filled with sludge is by conducting a visual inspection. All you have to do is to use a dipstick to take a small oil sample. From this sample you can tell a lot about the health of motor oil- including sludge percentage in the oil.

European Motor Cars: Your Trusted Volkswagen Repair Shop

When was the last time you had your Volkswagen’s engine flushed? Has it been a while? Well, sludge buildup inside the engine can contribute to an array of drivability problems; ranging from stalling to rough engine idle. So if you want to get the most out of your Volkswagen’s engine, make sure it remains sludge free.

At European Motor Cars, we know how important it is to get rid of oil sludge. Professionals employed in our facility are well trained and have years of experience in dealing with complex engine issues in Volkswagen cars. So if it occurs to you that your Volkswagen engine is in need of a flush, visit our service center in Las Vegas to get assistance from pros.