I am sure this problem has been discussed before, but I'm hoping for a few more clues for things to try.

My TT is a 2000 2wd that I purchased new, I now have 215K miles on it and except for a few bad dealer experiences it has been pretty reliable. I really enjoy the car and expect to have it crack 300k before it goes to the boneyard, however I have this nagging problem that I can't seem to fix.

I am pretty good mechanically and play with scca club racing cars, but typically let a local shop maintain the TT since it's my daily driver.

About 20k miles ago, the oil can light came on steady with the annoying beep. When I start the car, at idle everything looks fine, and there are no warning lights or mechanical issues with the car. When I accelerate past 5-10 mph, the oil can and beep go on, and they will stay on for the remainder of the trip, (the beep will stop after 4 beeps but will go off on occasion if I idle at a long delay and accelerate again into traffic.

I have performed the following maintenance on the car to solve the problem and it still remains.
a) replaced the oil pump and screen
b) replaced the oil filter mount and the associated gaskets
c) replaced the multiple (2-3) oil pressure sensors attached to the filter/hose mount
d) checked and adjusted the oil pressure to be at the factory specs.
e) had the dashboard sent out to be rebuilt since the fuel level and water temp were askew
f) Use the VagCom diagnostic tool to reset the system defaults

The local shop is at a loss for what to try, and I have tried all of my ideas.

If anyone had any suggestions or comments they will be more than accepted and appreciated.

Thanks
Tom

How's your oil mileage? Just kidding, but at 215K that motor has to be pretty worn. Does it consume much oil? If I had to guess I would say that major parts are worn enough to cause a loss of pressure under load. My first thought would be valve guides, but if they were worn enough to cause a drop in oil pressure you would be seeing some major oil consumption. Main bearings could be an issue as well, but then the motor would probably give a loud knock every time you started it. You might consider trying Castrol High Mileage oil next oil change. It's supposed to help with worn engines. 

Actually the motor runs quite well without any noise, or loss of performance. I have used Mobil 1 from day 30, and  based on the oil pressure adjustments after the new oil pump, there didn't seem to be any blockage.

Plugs show no oil burn, and there is no smoke.

Previously daorders wrote:

How's your oil mileage? Just kidding, but at 215K that motor has to be pretty worn. Does it consume much oil? If I had to guess I would say that major parts are worn enough to cause a loss of pressure under load. My first thought would be valve guides, but if they were worn enough to cause a drop in oil pressure you would be seeing some major oil consumption. Main bearings could be an issue as well, but then the motor would probably give a loud knock every time you started it. You might consider trying Castrol High Mileage oil next oil change. It's supposed to help with worn engines.

Hi Tom,

Did you figure out what was the problem with your TT?

Thanks,

Nuno

Previously sbms wrote:

I am sure this problem has been discussed before, but I'm hoping for a few more clues for things to try.

My TT is a 2000 2wd that I purchased new, I now have 215K miles on it and except for a few bad dealer experiences it has been pretty reliable. I really enjoy the car and expect to have it crack 300k before it goes to the boneyard, however I have this nagging problem that I can't seem to fix.

I am pretty good mechanically and play with scca club racing cars, but typically let a local shop maintain the TT since it's my daily driver.

About 20k miles ago, the oil can light came on steady with the annoying beep. When I start the car, at idle everything looks fine, and there are no warning lights or mechanical issues with the car. When I accelerate past 5-10 mph, the oil can and beep go on, and they will stay on for the remainder of the trip, (the beep will stop after 4 beeps but will go off on occasion if I idle at a long delay and accelerate again into traffic.

I have performed the following maintenance on the car to solve the problem and it still remains.
a) replaced the oil pump and screen
b) replaced the oil filter mount and the associated gaskets
c) replaced the multiple (2-3) oil pressure sensors attached to the filter/hose mount
d) checked and adjusted the oil pressure to be at the factory specs.
e) had the dashboard sent out to be rebuilt since the fuel level and water temp were askew
f) Use the VagCom diagnostic tool to reset the system defaults

The local shop is at a loss for what to try, and I have tried all of my ideas.

If anyone had any suggestions or comments they will be more than accepted and appreciated.

Thanks
Tom