Can anybody top this?

[Khare]

Why would the sump baffle disintegrate though, unless it was incorrectly fitted and fouling on the cranks?
Initially I suspected the water pump veins as they commonly break off but they'd be floating about in the cooling system, not the sump. Either way that engine needs a bloody good clear out.

Because the sump is made of plastic. Over the years the heat cycle makes the plastic brittle, as with every plastic part in the engine and ancillaries, and eventually the plastic breaks off.

I know sump off is a ballache, but I'd stick a new baffle in there, especially in an oil hungry VR6.

[leigh_harty]

Thankfully it's not really an oil burner! But I know where your coming from, if it wasn't needed then why would vw put it their! Sadly though it'll have to wait, ill drive like a granny for abit and save some petrol monies

Had the pump completely off and cleaned up and nothing got through the gauze part, ironically the sump was clean. Filter and housing was also crap free.

I'll wait till I can afford a new oil pump next month after MOT time... In the meanwhile keep a close eye on oil level

[Wayne]

It will be fine without it, all it was fitted for is to stop oil surge under hard cornering plus it should keep some oil around the pick up pipe.

[Len]

I would take the sump off and give it a thorough check. How can you be certain all that plastic is out?
Better to be safe than sorry!

[leigh_harty]

I needed change my oil so sump came of last sunday. Oil pump was totally removed and checked. As far as I'm aware its all removed. Car is a lot quieter starting up in the frosty mornings and the oul pressure light hasn't come on

Let this be a lesson to everyone, it pays to check the pick up pipe. Cost me a tube of sealant an abit more time and compared to what could have been....