Thanks for the response, Pete. Please see my comments

"Pete" > wrote in message
...
>
> "KWS" wrote
> >
> > I have 60,000 on the 2000 A4 1.8T and it's time to change the oil again.
>
> If that's 60K MILES, then it's time to replace your timing belt,
tensioner,
> and water pump, too. :-)

Yep. Got the parts, just need a weekend to do the job. I may post this
separately, but do you happen to know what size the extension bolts are that
you install to move the front clip forward to service the front of the
engine?

>
>
> > 1. Is this standard an overresponse to the "coking" issue in that if
you
> > change the oil regularly at, say 5,000 miles, even dino oil will not
> > present
> > a coking problem?
>
> Had it been an NA engine, I'd say yes. But with turbo, even 5K mile
changes
> with dino could result in coking under certain conditions. Generally,
> turbocharged engines are very hard on oil, and the very high temperatures
> that exist inside the turbo cooling lines could cause dino oil to coke if
> you don't observe the proper cool-down procedures.

What is a proper cool-down procedure? Is this like walking a racehorse?


Synthetics can also
> coke, but can withstand somewhat higher temps.
>
>
> > 2. What is the possibility of this engine that hasn't leaked a drop
> > starting to leak when I switch to synthetic?
>
> There is a chance that a good synthetic oil will start cleaning out the
crud
> and open some holes here and there. I'm thinking the worse that can
happen
> is that you might have to replace your head gasket.

That's it, huh?

I'd rather do that than
> have to replace my turbo and/or have sludge all over my engine.

What do you mean by sludge all over the engine? Or are you referring to
inside the engine?
>
> Before you start using synthetic, at this mileage I think I'd do some
> cleaning first, with AutoRX for example. http://www.auto-rx.com/

Thanks for the links. I read some of this stuff and, forgive me if I sound a
little skeptical, but expenisve additives kind of raise warning flags.

I am a little surprised that VW/Audi didn't take this a little further and
either warn or advise owners of higher mileage cars about any adverse
effects of synthetic. Of course, maybe there are none?

Regards,

Ken

>
> For more info on oil and cleaning with AutoRX, head on to:
> http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi
>
> Cheers,
>
> Pete
>
>