anyone else have this problem, im third owner, dont know history

Prior owners probably didn't use synthetic oil. Start using it if your not already.

First thing I did after getting used A4 .Check out their website and their forum.

I agree
Ive Auto RXed my 2000 A4 1.8t
It was full of crap and slowly dissolves the sludge into the big filter (make sure you use a big filter) Germanfilters.com cheap cheap filters
www.auto-rx.com