Oil Consumption - 2.0 TDI

[ilovemytdi]

New time blogger so sorry if this has been raised before but..... I have MkV 2.0 TDI Golf, bought it new in February 2008. At about 8000kms (6 months) the oil lamp came on and when I called VW Service they said to bring it in and all they did was top it up.

I want to know if this is a common problem? They told me that the diesel engines may use more oil than normal when wearing in but nonetheless I found this somewhat odd after what I consider to be a relatively short time.

Has anyone else had this same problem?

[Russ59]

Hi and welcome to the Forums.

I only have 4,500 k's up on my TDI GT and so far it hasn't used any oil to my knowledge. I understand from what I have read on the forums that oil usage in the first 10,000 k's or so is not uncommon, so I wouldn't be too concerned. This issue is supposed to be mentioned in the user manual as well so it might pay you to have a bit of a read. In the meantime all you can do is keep an eye on it and when it needs topping up drop into VW and get it done. It is important however that the correct grade of oil is used so don't just use any old oil if it's need a top up, VW are apparently pretty fussy about that as well when it comes to warranty claims. If you have any other concerns or issues with your vehicle don't be afraid to ask, or do a search first, there is bound to be an answer to your query on here somewhere.

Russ

[Spoddy]

I want to know if this is a common problem? They told me that the diesel engines may use more oil than normal when wearing in but nonetheless I found this somewhat odd after what I consider to be a relatively short time.

Has anyone else had this same problem?

Pretty much exactly what happened with mine. Nepean Motor Group topped me up at about that distance and then again at about 14,000km. No charge either.

At the 15,000km they did the service and it has used almost none since. Now due for the 30,000km service.

[BeigeJet]

My Jetta used about 1/2 lt @ 6,000k before the 15k service. No light though!

None between 15k and 30k.

None between 30k and 45k.

Got paranoid while away recently and bought a litre while passing through Sydney and only topped up with 200ml during as 4,200k round trip. Now at 54k and no further use.

Cheers and happy motoring!

[gregozedobe]

You might find this thread relevant

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ad.php?t=21499

[Pumpe-Düse]

Apparantley VW thinks its normal for engines to burn lots of oil, so you'll have to check the oil more regularly then usual. My 1.9 TDI Polo's manual advises engine is expected to use 1.0L/1000km; possibly more depending on driving style.

[Transporter]

It is not that hard to check engine oil once a week.

[ilovemytdi]

Thanks heaps everyone for your replies, and for the the previous thread - was a good read.

I *do not* check my oil regularly but I do make sure I know when it needs to be changed/checked. I'll definately keep an eye on it now though!

[Preen59]

try leaning on your engine harder for the first 5000 kms or so. The oil consumption is due to poor seal on the rings, and to help them bed in you will actually need to push your engine hard, rather than baby it.

Read this: http://vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum...hlight=running

[gregozedobe]

The oil consumption is due to poor seal on the rings, and to help them bed in you will actually need to push your engine hard, rather than baby it.

I've been wondering for a while if the reason some TDI engines use a lot of oil is related to poor oil seals in the turbo. I've seen lots of photos of TDI intake manifolds that are really clogged up, and I thought that might be due to a mixture of oil and soot from EGR. I've also read of lots of reports of intercoolers and associated pipework literally dripping with engine oil (on the inside).

AFAIK the only way oil can get into the intake internals is by leaking from turbos, and I know that if it gets really bad the engine will "run away" by burning the oil.

I have read about large numbers of 4 cyl VAG TDIs turbos self-destructing over the last few years (the 2.0 TDI in the Skoda Octavia seems particularly prone according to the BRISKODA site). These failures seem to be bearing and oil related (rather than sticking vanes).

What do others think of this theory ?