Polo GTI High Oil Usage - Discussion Thread

[prcurrie]

Just stumbled across this article. Appears a UK magazine has printed about the 'faulty piston rings' on the Polo GTI (early models)

Polo GTI 1.4 TSI Twincharged Factory Recall – Engine Piston Rings – StrikeEngine

[Karly101]

I'm now 1400km post rebuild and thus far checked the dip stick and oil level hasn't moved ...not going to jinx it though as its still early days!

[gavs]

I crapped my dacks last tuesday when I checked my oil level when the engine was relativley cold (~50 degrees oil temp) because it looked to have almost reached the bottom of the dipstick! I then checked it whe hot yesterday, it was back up to 3/4s full.

Shows why the manual says to check the oil level when the oil is up to temperature....

[GraveDilute]

Got my car back the other week after replacement of the rings.
Haven't been looking at the oil yet but all seems good at this stage. Pre replacement, after two weeks the oil light was coming on!

[prcurrie]

Well I think all this oil consumption business is just in everyone's head.

Response from my dealer on oil consumption reassuring me.....

Some oil consumption is to be expected typically during the running in period. The vehicles have a ‘Running in’ oil from the factory that is designed to aid the bedding in of the piston rings. Once the vehicle has had its first service I think you will find the oil consumption will settle down. Having said this I would expect all Volkswagen engines to require an oil top up between services.

I'd like to know more about the running in oil. Sounds magical!

[omos]

Once the vehicle has had its first service I think you will find the oil consumption will settle down.

Its an interesting point. I've done 18,500 km in my gti (09/10 build) and I topped up 4.5 litres up to 15,000 km. At the service, as they normally do, they replaced the oil (4.5 litres as stated on the invoice) and the oil level hasn't budged from the top of the stick in the last 3,500 km.

[GraveDilute]

Look, it is clearly an issue and not in people's minds.
AFAIK, VW wouldn't be replacing piston rings for fun.

Touch wood people don't have an issue but if like me, you do notice unusual oil consumption then FFS go into your VW dealer and kick up a stink with the service department. I did and got new rings. At this point, now 3k kms later it seems OK. AS IT SHOULD BE WHEN BUYING A NEW F$%^&KING CAR!!!

[gavs]

Exactly and every VW affiliated person I have spoken to have denied any knowledge of a specific "running in" oil. As far as known, castrol crap 5w-30 is factory fill and is meant to last 15000kms.
Ask any engine builder. No reputable engine builder will leave "running in" oil in the engine for 15000kms and after seeing the grainy state the oil was in after 6700kms and the foul colour and smell, I highly doubt that the oil is for running in.

BUT! Again, that's not the point. The point is there is a clear issue that isn't really being fixed. Now, to add fuel to the speculation fire, the Germans have uncovered a new engine that based on the specs, (1.4, forced induction, 180PS/132kw) would seem a natural successor to the faulty polo motor....

[nicholas_egan]

Got a flashy orange light in the middle of buttfk out the back of Ulverstone, in Deliverance territory after a hard sesh...

Took it to VW, she drank 1.4 litres of oil...=/

[gavs]

in the middle of buttfk out the back of Ulverstone

Nick, is that near "out-the-back-of-bumfk" by chance?

Sorry to hear that mate, there isn't many a VW dealership down on the isle....