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jennifer_scholz1

VW Amarok Oil Pressure Alert: Sludge Buildup Warning

Looking for advice, my 2011 VW Amarok (69500km, gasoline) started showing oil pressure warning light during my last drive. Checked the engine and noticed dark oil color with some sludge-like deposits. Last mechanic visit was a total mess, so not keen on going back there. Has anyone dealt with similar oil pressure warnings and what was the actual issue? Worried about potential engine damage and looking for recommendations on what to check first.

4 comment(s)

richardthunder22

Had the same issue with my 2014 VW Tiguan last season. The oil pressure warning combined with dark oil color was a clear indicator of oil contamination from extended maintenance intervals. Initial inspection revealed significant sludge buildup in the engine, caused by oil degradation and poor maintenance schedule adherence. The oil leak near the timing chain cover made the situation more critical. The repair required: Complete engine oil flush, New oil filter, Timing chain cover gasket replacement, Oil pressure sensor replacement, Fresh synthetic oil This was classified as a serious issue requiring immediate attention, as continued operation could have led to engine bearing damage or complete engine failure. Key findings were: Oil additives had broken down due to extended oil change intervals, Sludge deposits were blocking oil passages, Oil pressure was inconsistent due to partial blockages Recommendation: Check maintenance records and get a professional diagnostic test focused on oil pressure readings. Continuing to drive with these symptoms risks severe engine damage. This requires more than just an oil change, the entire lubrication system needs inspection and cleaning.

jennifer_scholz1 (Author)

Thanks for sharing that detailed repair story. Your issues sound very similar to what happened with my Amarok too. After that oil pressure warning and finding dark oil with sludge deposits, I decided to get it fixed properly. Would you mind sharing how much the total repair cost was in your case? Also curious if youve had any oil contamination issues since the repair was done. Following my experience, Ive been much stricter about regular oil changes and using quality oil filters to prevent future sludge buildup. Think it might help others avoid similar problems down the road.

richardthunder22

After getting my Tiguan properly fixed, I havent experienced any oil contamination or oil pressure warnings. The oil color has remained clean and amber, exactly how it should look. The engine runs smoothly without any signs of oil sludge or performance issues. The total repair cost in my case was 165€, which covered the complete maintenance work to address the exceeded service interval. This included the professional engine flush, new oil filter installation, and fresh synthetic oil. Your approach to being more careful with maintenance schedules is spot on. Regular oil changes and quality oil filters are crucial in preventing engine damage. Its much cheaper to maintain proper oil service intervals than to deal with major repairs from oil leaks or complete engine failure later. The key is watching for early warning signs like darkening oil color or unusual engine noises. These can indicate potential issues before they develop into serious problems that require costly repairs.

jennifer_scholz1 (Author)

Finally went to a new mechanic yesterday after all the helpful advice here. The diagnosis confirmed exactly what we discussed, severe oil contamination and sludge buildup from poor maintenance. The total repair came to 420€ which included: Complete engine flush, Oil pressure sensor replacement, New gaskets, Premium synthetic oil, Labor costs The mechanic was thorough and showed me all the oil sludge they cleaned out. Pretty shocking to see how bad it had gotten. The engine runs much smoother now and the oil pressure warning is gone. Going to stick to a strict 10000km oil change schedule from now on. Already set reminders in my phone to avoid forgetting. Better to spend a bit on regular maintenance than risk major engine damage again. Thanks again for helping me understand the issue. This experience definitely taught me not to ignore those early warning signs of oil problems.

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