Fine brass and looks to be aluminium in the pan

[JazzGTI]

I have a 2003 Jetta 1.8t AWP with 117000 miles on it. I noticed when I changed oil this time the brass and aluminium showed up. We cut the filter apart and there was nothing in the filter. We decided to run it. We ran it an additional 2500 miles and the metal is still there. Still nothing in the filter though. There is nothing big just small particles. It doesn't look like bearing material but I am not sure where else I could get the metal combination from. I guess I will pull the pan and check the bearings. But is there anything else it could be.

[Guidofester]

First off I don't know a heck of a lot about the 1.8T, but I have had the opportunity to work on one. A customers car started knocking and it was determined that the engine need to be replaced and I was the poor SOB that was nominated for the Job (What can I say, I'm a glutton for punishment).

Figured it would be fun for a change to work on a fine German automobile. Boy oh boy was I in for a surprise. What a pita to change. I'm still in the dark ages with MKII's. That is where I will be staying after working on this car. Took me a few hours to figure out how to get the front bumper off with our damaging it. The car is a 2003 Audi A4. So it's a little different but the same sort of deal.

Since getting into this job I have been doing some research on the 1.8T. From what I have read the oil is very very important. You have to use the correct oil that can be rather expensive. (Not sure what others are using but my garage used LubroMoly.)

Apparently I have heard rumors that the local dealer may not have used the correct oil. From other locals that know their way around this engine I have learned that the oil pick up tube can be a source of trouble. Apparently it can become clogged and coked-up when the incorrect oil is used. I should have taken a picture of the oil pick-up tube for reference. I will see if the old one is still at the garage.

If I owned a 1.8T I would definitely have a spare oil pick up tube and swap it out every so often and clean it just as extra insurance that my engine would last.

As for your engine I would definitely remove the base pan and inspect it for debri. I would then go that extra step and inspect the rod and main bearings. You should be able to change then now before any damage is done to the crankshaft.

Well I an off the the garage on day number 4 of this engine swap. Just need a few little things ,like coolant and oil, and it should be ready to fire up. Fingers crossed.

Good luck and up-dated us if you remove your pan. Here are some pictures of my job. Hope the pictures turn out alright.

DC