The VW dealer is stating that there is oil in the coolant b/c the oil cooler broke. What are some causes, other than age, that could cause this to malfunction? Is oil sludge a possibility?
nope on the sludge.
Failure to change the coolant. What model and year VW is that? Has the coolant been changes according to the maintenance schedule VW provides in the owner’s manual? Was the coolant type (likely G-12) recommended by VW used?
It is a 2003 Passat 1.8 T, the maintenance schedule has been followed and all maintenance has been done at the VW dealer.
This failure does occur - but it’s infrequent and random . Replacing the oil cooler is no big deal . Tales an hour at most . But you also need to have the coolant flushed ! AND ONLY USE G12 COOLANT !
all maintenance has been done at the VW dealer Dealers are no better (or worse) than independent mechanics for almost anything you might need done on your car. They will almost always charge more per hour and often more for parts and supplies. They also tend to look at repairs a little different than the independent.
A dealer may well recommend work that strictly may not be needed, but could be connected to the problem or maybe replace a part when a little repair would fix it ALMOST as good a new.
There is no need to bring your car to the dealer for any service other than service that is going to be paid for by a recall or original warrantee. During the warranty period be sure to have all required (as listed in the owner's manual) maintenance done and to document all maintenance work.
I suggest that most people would be better off finding a good independent (Not working for a chain) mechanic.
Note: Never ever use a quick oil change place. They are fast cheap and very very bad.
wanna BET? on the dealer that is?
the VW guys I work with get more sludge problems from independant shops that so choose to use whatever oil they have on hand.
and thats a fact.they need to run the correct OIL AT ALL TIMES because sludge is a problem on those cars.
90% of the cars have oil change records and the wrong oil was used,then you are out of luck for waranty,when it seems to good to be true,well you know the rest.
very very rare.