Oil Usage Mk IV Golf 2002

[RolfGolf]

Hi all.

I have a question regarding oil consumption in Mk IV Golfs - what is typical? What's your experience? Generally I'm needing to top up quite a lot between services - is this normal?

Today when driving home the oil light came on when I rounded a corner, and it has happened previously a couple of times when I've been driving in the hills - I'm due a service, but should it be that low?

Any comments, ideas, re-assurance would be welcome.

Cheers,

Lachlan.

[fuzion]

lachlan,

my opinion would be to get it serviced if this seems to be a happening occurrence.

take it to somebody you know or trust, get them to service it and mention that you seem to be using a bit of oil for some reason or you possibly think you may be. they'll check the sump if it has a crack/leak, possibly (unlikely tho) oil filter leaking or maybe something else

check the levels on your oil dipstick, if your unsure how or not to sure where the levels should be @ its prob you best take it to somebody and get explained.

Just make sure your not refilling with different oils all the time and its above half until you get it serviced!

[Manaz]

If you're in Sydney, Seb is your man...

[RolfGolf]

Thanks for the replies Fuzion and Manaz - I'll take your advice and get it thoroughly checked out as it is due. I'm in Adelaide and thought I'd give German Auto a try - anyone have any experience with them at all?

Cheers,

Lachlan.

[h100vw]

Thanks for the replies Fuzion and Manaz - I'll take your advice and get it thoroughly checked out as it is due. I'm in Adelaide and thought I'd give German Auto a try - anyone have any experience with them at all?

Cheers,

Lachlan.

I would take my cars to German Auto, if I didn't do my own servicing. Andrew and his crew are very good. What engine is your Golf? They don't usually use much oil tbh. A litre between services would be very uncommon in my experience. The handbook tells you about the dipstick, but the hatched marking is where it should be. If it was at the bottom of the mark, it would take a litre to get it to MAX.

Gavin

[RolfGolf]

Hi Gavin - it's the 2 litre engine ... There was oil right at the very bottom of the dipstick, but it was just a smidge ... I haven't noticed a leak or oil deposits on my drive, but I'd like to get to the bottom of it.

re. German Auto - I spoke to Andrew about a month ago when I was sussing out new servicing options and I was impressed by his manner, so I'm glad to hear of your positive feedback.

Cheers.

[Bug_racer]

2l mk4 Golf/beetle/Bora are known for oil consumption issues , easiest fix is put in something a little thicker . Fuchs make a good race oil thats 25w60 which is what Ive started using in these oil burners with no issues

[RolfGolf]

Thanks for the tip Bug Racer - I'm getting a service on Thursday so I'll see if they stock Fuchs (Titan Formula 60?) ... I've been running a 5w50 Mobil Synthetic previously.

[h100vw]

... I've been running a 5w50 Mobil Synthetic previously.

That's your problem right there. All dubs that I have been tempted to run fully synthetic in, have chewed it up.

I find that a quality 'dino' oil, as the Americans call mineral oils, works much better. Just change it twice as often.

Andrew is a great guy, always seems happy to give advice to me even though I don't take my cars there. That's why he gets my vote over the other possibles in Adelaide.

Gavin

[HOLEIN1]

Thanks for the replies Fuzion and Manaz - I'll take your advice and get it thoroughly checked out as it is due. I'm in Adelaide and thought I'd give German Auto a try - anyone have any experience with them at all?

Cheers,

Lachlan.

ive booked in my car there for next monday, and to be honest they seem very firendly and honest. have also been more than happy to give me advice over the phone, which is a big winner for me

ive been to a few VW specialists in SA as of late, and german auto has been probably the most friendly and knowledgable so far. im even making the trek from way over the other side of town (german auto is in melrose park near maccas on southroad) to get them to service my car

well see how we go come next monday

[RolfGolf]

Thanks for the feedback on synthetics Gavin - I've only been using the 5w50 synthetic as that is what was recommended by the dealer previously. It will be interesting to see if there's much of a change with the mineral oil as I'll be going down that path from now on.

I'm also making the journey to German Auto (with my water-bottle and supplies!) Holein1, so will let you know how I go.

Cheers,

Lachlan.

[Transporter]

Thanks for the feedback on synthetics Gavin - I've only been using the 5w50 synthetic as that is what was recommended by the dealer previously. It will be interesting to see if there's much of a change with the mineral oil as I'll be going down that path from now on.

I'm also making the journey to German Auto (with my water-bottle and supplies!) Holein1, so will let you know how I go.

Cheers,

Lachlan.

Try Castrol GTX Magnatec 10W-40. (Semi synthetic)
Not necessarily mineral oil will be better than synthetic. It all comes down to oil viscosity and high temperature resistance to burning. So good quality synthetic oil should be more resistant to burning than the best mineral oil and therefore stay longer in the engine. For multivalve engines (any engine with more than 2 valves per cylinder) you should be using low viscosity oils or what manufacturer specified for your engine. Low viscosity oil is usually 5W30 and lower in Europe that 5W30 must be synthetic otherwise it is not the low viscosity oil. If the engine done more than 200,000km and is worn out than you could try using higher viscosity oil.

[RolfGolf]

Hi Transporter thanks for the information - I've received some really good advice from VWW

I took my Golf to German Auto yesterday and they did a good job with the service + re-gassed the air-conditioner (which had always been ineffective) ... My car is running a different oil now - It is (slightly) heavier than my previous oil and apparently is a semi-synthetic - it's going to take a while to know if it makes a difference.

It's still one of the smoothest cars I've driven ... I guess I'll just be more vigilant about checking the basics from now on.

Cheers,

Lachlan.

[HOLEIN1]

x2 for german auto

got my car back yesterday and overall very pleased with their service and general knowledge about my car. certainly reassuring to speak to someone who knows what their talking about, not to mention happy to do so.

probably the best workshop that ive taken my car to, although i found AVW at richmond is also good

big thumbs up for the adelaide guys