Is it considered a bad idea to flush these engines when changing oil? (BWA)
Rufflesj
Engine Oil Flush - Is it Worth it...?
Hi, With today's modern oils & frequent oil changes a flush shouldn't be required
Flushing a sludged up engine could cause problems by blocking small oil ways etc.
Hoggy.
Flushing a sludged up engine could cause problems by blocking small oil ways etc.
Hoggy.
If you have oil consumption or compression issues, it's worth a shot to try. If you really want a good flush you gotta get your hands on the BG pro stuff somehow*, and it's best to follow through with a full additional oil change (I would just get some cheap oil for this) between that and the new oil.
*The BG stuff is only sold to pros/shops but this being the age of the intarwebs it's more than likely you can find somewhere that will sell it to you as a "regular consumer". Not cheap though.
Otherwise the Liqui-Moly stuff you leave in there for like 15mins or whatever, is a good bet if you just have high miles or whatever, don't have any issues, and want to flush it out.
I did this on my TT after I got it. The engine was actually fine but it had done 175k kms before me so figured might as well. Compression was already good in the engine, with three cylinders being close to 180 and one being 170. I actually only used half the can of [Liqui Moly] flush...but I didn't comp test it afterwards to see the difference--engine runs great so I wasn't really that interested lol.
ShopDAP just did a video on this BTW, which is below... Note they didn't do the "middle"/extra oil change after the BG product but I've seen other YT vids/channels recommend it to ensure all the flush product is out.
*The BG stuff is only sold to pros/shops but this being the age of the intarwebs it's more than likely you can find somewhere that will sell it to you as a "regular consumer". Not cheap though.
Otherwise the Liqui-Moly stuff you leave in there for like 15mins or whatever, is a good bet if you just have high miles or whatever, don't have any issues, and want to flush it out.
I did this on my TT after I got it. The engine was actually fine but it had done 175k kms before me so figured might as well. Compression was already good in the engine, with three cylinders being close to 180 and one being 170. I actually only used half the can of [Liqui Moly] flush...but I didn't comp test it afterwards to see the difference--engine runs great so I wasn't really that interested lol.
ShopDAP just did a video on this BTW, which is below... Note they didn't do the "middle"/extra oil change after the BG product but I've seen other YT vids/channels recommend it to ensure all the flush product is out.
I'd suggest sending an old oil sample out for testing which will indicate the level of soot present if any. Better than flushing the engine could be cleaning the sump and replacing the oil pick up pipe while you're there.
Sent from my SM-G996B using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G996B using Tapatalk
The guys over on the German Audi A3 Forum have a flush regiment they recommend, although it's specifically intended for the 3.2 VR6 (BUB) engine to address the accumulation of deposits that can build up inside the Variable Cam Adjusters. I would imagine this would be just as effective on other engines as well.
You can read about it here -
www.ttforum.co.uk
![Image]()
Image from SSP246
![Image]()
You can read about it here -
3.2 VR6 - Misfires & Timing Chain Issues.
So, my check engine light came on, did my Yelp research to find a shop near by, they ran a diagnostic, said I had misfire, valve cover leak, oil in a spark plug and a bad cam sensor... So I said go for it, $2,500 later, new valve cover and gasket, all new spark plugs, new cam sensor and oil...
www.ttforum.co.uk
Image from SSP246
With all the information in the posts throughout the thread - I certainly wouldn't recommend a flush.
Your 'OTT' servicing will be having a good affect on the engine internals and if anything a flush could do more harm than it could possibly do good.
Additionally with your maintenance schedule - if you are using decent quality oil, the engine internally will look/be more than healthy, unlike one of the images linked above.
For reference - My TTS is done annually with Millers Nano-drive NT+, previously when it was a daily it was at 12k intervals, now it sees around 6-10k depending on which year you look back at.
This is what the lower half of what you can see looks like after closer to 140k mark than 130k - 60k of which has been with me
Before then, it wasn't an overly well maintained vehicle
![Image]()
Your 'OTT' servicing will be having a good affect on the engine internals and if anything a flush could do more harm than it could possibly do good.
Additionally with your maintenance schedule - if you are using decent quality oil, the engine internally will look/be more than healthy, unlike one of the images linked above.
For reference - My TTS is done annually with Millers Nano-drive NT+, previously when it was a daily it was at 12k intervals, now it sees around 6-10k depending on which year you look back at.
This is what the lower half of what you can see looks like after closer to 140k mark than 130k - 60k of which has been with me
Before then, it wasn't an overly well maintained vehicle
Thought I'd update this post with the information from the Audi A3-Quattro.de website here in Germany. Seems they're running into problems with their website so Michael Lorch was kind enough to email me all the information which I have posted here for safe keeping. To avoid any confusion with the product names, additives from Ruf Lambda and Addinol Lambda is now BeDi. Products known under Lambda Germany will in future be sold under the brand name BeDi.
The Addinol website can be found here -
addinol.de
The Addinol shop can be found here. Note, this website is in German, but if you right-mouse click you can select "Translate to English" -
Additive von Addinol und Ruf Lambda Bedi
The original post can be found here (in German) if you can access the website -
http://www.a3quattro.de/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=14163
The Lambda products can be used with petrol and diesel. Availability may be limited depending on your location.
How do I use Lambda products?
Lambda Tank Otto for petrol vehicles
To prevent deposits and/or clean light deposits, it is sufficient to add 1 can of 500ml to a full tank of petrol.
Repeat at every service (every 10-15000km)
Normal driving is completely sufficient
In case of problems or deposits, add 1 can of 500ml to half a tank of petrol.
For normal driving, you should also accelerate from time to time and drive a little harder or take motorway trips. Run the tank down to a quarter and then refuel.
Lambda Tank Diesel for diesel vehicles
To prevent deposits and/or clean light deposits, it is sufficient to add 1 can of 500ml to a full tank of diesel.
Repeat at every service (every 10-15000km)
Normal driving is completely sufficient
In case of problems or deposits, add 1 can of 500ml or 750ml to half a tank of diesel.
For normal driving, you should also accelerate from time to time and drive a little harder or take motorway trips. Run the tank down to a quarter and then refuel.
Lambda Oil Primer
It is used to clean the oil circuit as part of the oil change service.
It is added to the engine oil.
Engines with an oil volume of up to 5 litres: 250 ml can
Engines with an oil volume of more than 5 litres: 500 ml can
For VW/Audi engines with 1.8 or 2-litre displacement, the 500 ml can should also be used.
Make sure that everything is done in quick succession.
Check the oil level before filling.
Before filling the Oil Primer, drain or siphon off 500 ml of used oil.
If you are using the 250 ml can instead of the 500 ml can, use only 250 ml.
Allow the engine to run for approx. 3-5 minutes when stationary to ensure good mixing.
Then drive the engine for approx. 30 to a maximum of 50 kilometres.
Warm up the engine. Afterwards, you should avoid driving at a constant engine speed or constant speed. Cleaning is not as effective here.
In order to clean all parts properly, alternating load conditions should be used.
Frequent acceleration, sometimes higher engine speeds, motorway driving.
Many parts in the engine, such as camshaft phasers, chain tensioners and oil valves, live from movement. They can only be cleaned efficiently if they are moved correctly.
In the case of camshaft phasers, it is important that they utilise all the adjustment travel.
After driving, the engine oil must be drained IMMEDIATELY !!!
It must not be allowed to cool down. The engine oil must not be drained at a later date.
Allow to drain well (approx. 10-15 minutes)
Lambda Oil Primer EXTRA
The Oil Primer EXTRA is used to clean dirt during operation that could not be removed by the normal Oil Primer.
It can often happen that the cleaning journey of up to 50 km is too short and is not sufficient to remove all stubborn dirt.
The Oil Primer EXTRA gently dissolves the dirt already dissolved by the Oil Primer and returns it to the oil filter.
It is not a cleaner in the conventional sense, but has lubricating components.
Add 250 ml Oil Primer EXTRA to the oil circuit. Start the engine and let it run for approx. 3 minutes while stationary.
Then IMMEDIATELY drive AT LEAST 10 km to mix the oil!!!
This must be strictly adhered to.
The Oil Primer EXTRA may only be added to fresh oil. NOT in oil that has been in the engine for a long time !!!
Duration: It is recommended not to drive more than 5000-7500km with it.
Afterwards, when the kilometres are reached, you should flush the oil with Lambda Oil Primer to rinse all residues of Oil Primer EXTRA and dissolved substances out of the engine. Then use fresh oil with a new filter.
The oil level should be adjusted so that the 250 ml of Oil Primer EXTRA reaches the filling quantity specified by the manufacturer.
The safety data sheets, product literature (German) and 2024 Product Catalog are attached -
.
The Addinol website can be found here -
ADDINOL - High performance lubricants from Germany
ADDINOL - manufacturer of lubricants from Leuna. We develop high-performance products: Automotive ✔ Industrial lubricants ✔
addinol.de
Additive von Addinol und Ruf Lambda Bedi
The original post can be found here (in German) if you can access the website -
http://www.a3quattro.de/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=14163
The Lambda products can be used with petrol and diesel. Availability may be limited depending on your location.
Lambda Tank Otto 500 ml
Lambda Tank Diesel 500 ml / 750 ml
Lambda Oil Primer 250 ml / 500 ml
Lambda Oil Primer EXTRA 250 ml
How do I use Lambda products?
Lambda Tank Otto for petrol vehicles
To prevent deposits and/or clean light deposits, it is sufficient to add 1 can of 500ml to a full tank of petrol.
Repeat at every service (every 10-15000km)
Normal driving is completely sufficient
In case of problems or deposits, add 1 can of 500ml to half a tank of petrol.
For normal driving, you should also accelerate from time to time and drive a little harder or take motorway trips. Run the tank down to a quarter and then refuel.
Lambda Tank Diesel for diesel vehicles
To prevent deposits and/or clean light deposits, it is sufficient to add 1 can of 500ml to a full tank of diesel.
Repeat at every service (every 10-15000km)
Normal driving is completely sufficient
In case of problems or deposits, add 1 can of 500ml or 750ml to half a tank of diesel.
For normal driving, you should also accelerate from time to time and drive a little harder or take motorway trips. Run the tank down to a quarter and then refuel.
Lambda Oil Primer
It is used to clean the oil circuit as part of the oil change service.
It is added to the engine oil.
Engines with an oil volume of up to 5 litres: 250 ml can
Engines with an oil volume of more than 5 litres: 500 ml can
For VW/Audi engines with 1.8 or 2-litre displacement, the 500 ml can should also be used.
Make sure that everything is done in quick succession.
Check the oil level before filling.
Before filling the Oil Primer, drain or siphon off 500 ml of used oil.
If you are using the 250 ml can instead of the 500 ml can, use only 250 ml.
Allow the engine to run for approx. 3-5 minutes when stationary to ensure good mixing.
Then drive the engine for approx. 30 to a maximum of 50 kilometres.
Warm up the engine. Afterwards, you should avoid driving at a constant engine speed or constant speed. Cleaning is not as effective here.
In order to clean all parts properly, alternating load conditions should be used.
Frequent acceleration, sometimes higher engine speeds, motorway driving.
Many parts in the engine, such as camshaft phasers, chain tensioners and oil valves, live from movement. They can only be cleaned efficiently if they are moved correctly.
In the case of camshaft phasers, it is important that they utilise all the adjustment travel.
After driving, the engine oil must be drained IMMEDIATELY !!!
It must not be allowed to cool down. The engine oil must not be drained at a later date.
Allow to drain well (approx. 10-15 minutes)
Lambda Oil Primer EXTRA
The Oil Primer EXTRA is used to clean dirt during operation that could not be removed by the normal Oil Primer.
It can often happen that the cleaning journey of up to 50 km is too short and is not sufficient to remove all stubborn dirt.
The Oil Primer EXTRA gently dissolves the dirt already dissolved by the Oil Primer and returns it to the oil filter.
It is not a cleaner in the conventional sense, but has lubricating components.
Add 250 ml Oil Primer EXTRA to the oil circuit. Start the engine and let it run for approx. 3 minutes while stationary.
Then IMMEDIATELY drive AT LEAST 10 km to mix the oil!!!
This must be strictly adhered to.
The Oil Primer EXTRA may only be added to fresh oil. NOT in oil that has been in the engine for a long time !!!
Duration: It is recommended not to drive more than 5000-7500km with it.
Afterwards, when the kilometres are reached, you should flush the oil with Lambda Oil Primer to rinse all residues of Oil Primer EXTRA and dissolved substances out of the engine. Then use fresh oil with a new filter.
The oil level should be adjusted so that the 250 ml of Oil Primer EXTRA reaches the filling quantity specified by the manufacturer.
The safety data sheets, product literature (German) and 2024 Product Catalog are attached -
.
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