Glitter in sump - ea888 gen 3

[Harrison-91xcg]

Hi guys

Had a specialist change my oil the other day. They also checked the sump after I had a low oil pressure light on track.

They said they found glitter (copper like) glistening in the oil

They took the car out on the road and data logged and oil pressure and actually everything was perfect. The low oil pressure is completely impossible to replicate on road (safely at least).

They recommended an engine exchange (as under warranty) to mitigate any chance of the glistening being untoward wear. They said the oil pressure light was probably because the oil was losing its viscosity due to engine temp (up to 127c..) and it may have been a little low if I look back (shoot me now). Next time I plan to go out with 10w40 millers nanodrive.

I dont dispute what they have said or recommend. However I like to gain as much info in any case. The car (2014 cupra 280) is approaching 100k and has probably never had the sump checked - wouldn't there be some glistening due to normal wear over 100k miles ?

Any other thoughts appreciated.

29/08 - Updated image

Edited by Harrison-91xcg on Sunday 30th August 13:59

[GreenV8S]

Probably not good news, but they haven't given you enough information to know how serious a problem it is - probably because they have no idea how to diagnose it.

If you still have the oil, there are companies that will analyse it for you to find the metal particulate content.

I wouldn't spend a lot of money reconditioning an engine just because of one low pressure incident unless there were other signs of damage, or the engine was especially precious.

[Boosted LS1]

You can't back track on wear. If you have copper in the oil then a bearing/s somewhere is shot. You need your own independent oil sample to verify this. Some engines will run on copper forever depending on the bearing location but a rod or main bearing won't.

[Evoluzione]

Harrison-91xcg said:

They took the car out on the road and data logged and oil pressure and actually everything was perfect. The low oil pressure is completely impossible to replicate on road (safely at least).

This ^ is highly suspicious in many ways.

What exactly does 'check the sump' mean?
Why didn't they do what anyone who knows what they are doing and check the oil filter for metal?
What is copper doing in the oil?

Sounds like someone is trying to pull the wool over your eyes here.

[stevieturbo]

So it runs fine, oil pressure is fine...no actual problem.

But they recommend a recon engine ? LOL

Seems like it's jumping the gun a bit.

And when most OEM bearings are aluminium based....where is this copper coming from ?

It would have been good that if the hot oil after running had been drained and some kept for analysis before goings nuts on a new engine

And are you logging oil temps ? and measured where ? 120degC still isnt a big deal to a good oil like Millers.

Did they cut the filter open, and what did it look like ?

Change the oil, give it a good run, then pull the filter and inspect before blowing a load of money.

[stevieturbo]

Although only just notice you mention "exchange engine, under warranty"...

Exactly what does this mean ? Is this a proper engine from VW under factory warranty ?

Or what or where would this "exchange engine" be exactly, and where from ?

[RDMcG]

Can you have it checked at an official dealer?

[Chris32345]

Engine has a 100k on its
But it's under warranty?

[GreenV8S]

Chris32345 said:

Engine has a 100k on its
But it's under warranty?

It would be a pretty extraordinary warranty to cover damage done at a track day, let alone for a six year old car with 100k miles on it.

[Jazoli]

Is this the 2.0tfsi?

The oil pump pickup/strainers get blocked with carbon and will give you a low oil pressure light/warning you really need to drop the sump and check the pickup and replace if necessary, a genuine part is only around 40 quid.

If its not that and the oil does have metal in it it might be time to trade it in

[stevieturbo]

RDMcG said:

Can you have it checked at an official dealer?

I don't think he needs the car washed.

[Harrison-91xcg]

Thanks all

That's the photo they sent me. Dont think there was anything in the filter.

Re warranty I have unlimited milage warranty

[Harrison-91xcg]

stevieturbo said:

So it runs fine, oil pressure is fine...no actual problem.

But they recommend a recon engine ? LOL

Seems like it's jumping the gun a bit.

And when most OEM bearings are aluminium based....where is this copper coming from ?

It would have been good that if the hot oil after running had been drained and some kept for analysis before goings nuts on a new engine

And are you logging oil temps ? and measured where ? 120degC still isnt a big deal to a good oil like Millers.

Did they cut the filter open, and what did it look like ?

Change the oil, give it a good run, then pull the filter and inspect before blowing a load of money.

Thanks for this

The car is now running millers, but at the time on track it had mr tyre standard service oil.. I think maybe mobile 1

They didnt say anything about the filter. They took the sump off to inspect and try to find probably cause for the low pressure oil flag (car actually went into limp mode on track a few times due to this - mainly when at high g hence the theory about low oil)

[Harrison-91xcg]

GreenV8S said:

It would be a pretty extraordinary warranty to cover damage done at a track day, let alone for a six year old car with 100k miles on it.

Just to explain I have a non dealer warranty on the car which covers engine, gearbox etc. So long as I keep service schedule up they'll cover most items (covered my turbo and even catalytic converter). Not cheap mind.

[Harrison-91xcg]

Jazoli said:

Is this the 2.0tfsi?

The oil pump pickup/strainers get blocked with carbon and will give you a low oil pressure light/warning you really need to drop the sump and check the pickup and replace if necessary, a genuine part is only around 40 quid.

If its not that and the oil does have metal in it it might be time to trade it in

Thanks- its the tsi

[Harrison-91xcg]

One thing I have noticed is that since the track day the car is more tappety when cold. Once up to any sort of temp (I.e. after about a minute) no tappety noise. I know this is common for ea888 gen 3s even on new cars, but it wasnt tappety previously.

[GreenV8S]

Harrison-91xcg said:

(car actually went into limp mode on track a few times due to this - mainly when at high g hence the theory about low oil)

That's a classic symptom of oil surge, which can kill an engine very quickly. Even once is too much, and if it ever happens you need to fix the cause before you take it out on track again. Quite often it's just oil retention in the heads and solved by raising the oil level.

It would be extraordinary for the warranty to cover damage on a race track. Surely there must be the usual exclusions, or the company would have gone bust long ago.

[Scrump]

If the engine appears to be running fine and oil pressure is correct I doubt an after market warranty (or maybe not even a new car warranty) would provide a new engine.

[stevieturbo]

Harrison-91xcg said:

Thanks for this

The car is now running millers, but at the time on track it had mr tyre standard service oil.. I think maybe mobile 1

They didnt say anything about the filter. They took the sump off to inspect and try to find probably cause for the low pressure oil flag (car actually went into limp mode on track a few times due to this - mainly when at high g hence the theory about low oil)

The first place to look if concerned about bearings etc...is cut the filter open.

If this warranty will supply you with a new engine from VW, then go for it, as long as it will be fitted by competent people.

If this warranty is some sort of re-con from fk knows where...I'd be less inclined to even consider a replacement.

[Dave.]

stevieturbo said:

I don't think he needs the car washed.