More discoveries while I had the car up on the ramps at the weekend. One of my list of jobs was to take the sump off and clean or renew the oil pickup pipe. However, there is a possibility that someone has been in there before.

 

Are the pictures below OEM VAG sealant or some instant gasket that had been applied after a sump removal job? I have a feeling the latter, as it doesn't look as "neat" as I would expect from the factory.

 

 

Yes

VAG sealant is white

 Yes,that has been off before.  You have a sensor unplugged as well! 

WOW!!!  they certainly weren't shy with the sealant, wonder how much is in the sump.

WOW!!!  they certainly weren't shy with the sealant, wonder how much is in the sump.

My thoughts exactly. I've seen oil pick up strainers completely blocked with sealant in the past.

Yes defo sump been off before and not by a main dealer or approved VAG garage.
Also just because lots of sealant on outside does not mean lots on the inside. Perhaps just a overlap towards outside of sump. I did the same on mine. No need to worry.

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At least you know they used sealant

At least you know they used sealant

I've taken one off to find it 'sealed' with decorators caulk. I've also seen bathroom sealant :(

I've taken one off to find it 'sealed' with decorators caulk. I've also seen bathroom sealant :(

 

Oh dear.....

Sorry to jump on the op's post but I'd like to take my sump off and clean/replace pick up pipe as it's on 168k miles and I've not long brought it and its due an oil change. How hard is it to reseal properly I'm not shy of the spanners but haven't much experience using sealants as a pose to gaskets Tia

Sorry to jump on the op's post but I'd like to take my sump off and clean/replace pick up pipe as it's on 168k miles and I've not long brought it and its due an oil change. How hard is it to reseal properly I'm not shy of the spanners but haven't much experience using sealants as a pose to gaskets Tia

Not too difficult a job really. I did a diy guide on the techi section on the whole job. Also I would not bother to clean the pick up pick and just replace it. It is reasonably cheap and you can be sure it is free from crud.

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Over zealous use of sealant can do this.

^^ That's not good!!

 Yes,that has been off before.  You have a sensor unplugged as well! 

An unexpected amount of response from a relatively simple question! I'll be getting the sump off when I dump the oil and at least I will know that I have done it myself. The sealant is untidy, so hopefully it's not splattered all over the inside. I'll be using the same Loctite 5699 that I've used when building gearboxes in the past, although a bit more sparingly than in the photos.

 

I've unplugged the oil level sensor and tied the plug out of the way as I had a problem with something shorting and knocking out the heater, cruise control and other things. Turns out that the driveshaft flange had been rubbing on the cables to the sensor and popping the 7.5A fuse when it made contact. Will tidy that up and reconnect it when I pull the sump off to change the oil pickup.

 

Cheers all.