Oil Consumption - 2.0 TDI

[250 downunder]

"although i'd like to put it closer to the turbo (where its still nice and hot) to give it a chance to burn off."

My concern with placing it in that area would be back pressure. The last thing you want is restriction in the CCV line. Engine oil seals could suffer with any increase in crankcase pressure.

[Oneofthegreats]

Prove to me that every other manufacturer accepts that using 1.0L/1000km of oil is normal. I'd love to see conclusive proof of this. First and foremost, GM did recalls on engines using that exact amount of oil. So obviously GM disagrees with you. Ford reckons if it uses any oil at all, go straight to the dealer because it shouldn't. That's two. Renault disagrees with you, that's three. I could keep naming manufacturers...

I live in 2008, not 1938. I shouldn't be worrying about my engine destroying itself because its doing something that its not supposed to do, because the factory accepts a major design fault and passes it off as "OK."

I look forward to your proof that it is otherwise.

How about this from a 10 year Senior Registered BMW tech. & BMW service bulletin

"Oil consumption should at the earliest be measured after a distance of 7500km, since the process of breaking in the engine will essentially only been completed after this distance & the oil consumption stabilized"

"BMW spark-ignition & diesel engine's, the maximum oil consumption is 1L/1000km.
Due to their higher power & engine speed level's, M-Power engines may have a maximum oil consumption of 1.5L/1000km"

I'm not speaking on every other manufacturer's behalf, but I would like to see some proof now of the oil consumption spec's of those manufacturer's please.

I don't believe for one second that they say "this engine will not use any oil" because that is crap! There has to be safety buffer.

[Oneofthegreats]

I think just about all VW dealer's provide a free oil level check & top up.

We even do driveway brake light globe replacement free of charge.

[Oneofthegreats]

This is for all the VW diesel owner's! ha ha

They just released a modified dipstick!

[THR]

Well I am at slightly over 8,000km (just did a trip from Sydney to Gold Coast return) and my 'low oil' light has come on.

I checked it before I left and thought it was low and called my dealer. They said not to worry unless the light came on... I was going to get a top up before I left but relied upon their advice.

Anyhow, the light came on just as I returned to Sydney and it's only done about 20km since. Which was quite fortunate - 2,000km+ and it at least made it back to Sydney.

How safe is it to drive on until it gets more oil (i.e. how far can it go)? I don't have the opportunity to get to the dealer until Friday afternoon / Saturday morning at the earliest. I checked the level and it's on 'minimum', so it does have some oil.

I imagine they'll charge me as well. I also had a blown left indicator; all in the space of a couple of weeks. Joy!

I don't think I'll do an oil change now, just top it up, as it's due for a service in February.

[gldgti]

the level being on minimum will not cause you any trouble... but if i were you, i'd top it up.

[THR]

Cheers, will do so as soon as I can get to the dealer (as I understand that is the only place you can get the correct oil!).

[neil]

I think just about all VW dealer's provide a free oil level check & top up.

We even do driveway brake light globe replacement free of charge.

Not at Chatswood CC.

Have now done 12000k's and noticed the oil level down slightly, went to
my dealer and the service guy pointed me to the spare parts department to buy
oil and he would get a "guy" to top the oil up for me.

[Logzy]

My TDI has not used 1 drop of oil.
The secret was to drive it hard to run it in, you need to get those rings bedded in properly.
Driving the car like a pussy and taking it easy thinking that youre looking after your new car is just creating the problem that cannot be fixed.

The number of people that still think that you need to take it easy in a new car amazes me.
Get the car up to operating temperature then drive it hard, work that engine, rev that engine, drive it hard.

[gerhard]

Cheers, will do so as soon as I can get to the dealer (as I understand that is the only place you can get the correct oil!).

That is not correct. Spend some time in the Oils and Lubricants section and you will find reference to quite a few oils that are VW approved, and more that meet various VW specs but do not carry formal approval.

There are "normal life" oils, and "longlife oils" - here in AU VW does not go for extended service intervals so long life oils are overkill if they cost more money than normal oils. Your handbook will tell you exactly what spec your engine needs. It is also critical to get the right weight, as each weight can be totally different in its makeup - 0w-40 might be no good and 5W-30 will meet requirements.

For your diesel car get some Penrite Enviro+ 5W-30 oil (VW Approved 504.00 and 507.00) and top up - it will only require 1 litre from the min mark, or you can go to your dealer who should top it up for free - my dealer topped me up with 1/2 litre without waiting and cheerfully.

[THR]

My TDI has not used 1 drop of oil.
The secret was to drive it hard to run it in, you need to get those rings bedded in properly.
Driving the car like a pussy and taking it easy thinking that youre looking after your new car is just creating the problem that cannot be fixed.

The number of people that still think that you need to take it easy in a new car amazes me.
Get the car up to operating temperature then drive it hard, work that engine, rev that engine, drive it hard.

Thanks for the assumption but I ran it in hard.

[mikinoz]

I had the 15K service done about 6 months ago - I topped up when the light came on about 5 weeks ago, and then today it is back on again. 25K not nursed either. I reckon that I didn't put enough in when I topped up!

[THR]

That is not correct. Spend some time in the Oils and Lubricants section and you will find reference to quite a few oils that are VW approved, and more that meet various VW specs but do not carry formal approval.

There are "normal life" oils, and "longlife oils" - here in AU VW does not go for extended service intervals so long life oils are overkill if they cost more money than normal oils. Your handbook will tell you exactly what spec your engine needs. It is also critical to get the right weight, as each weight can be totally different in its makeup - 0w-40 might be no good and 5W-30 will meet requirements.

For your diesel car get some Penrite Enviro+ 5W-30 oil (VW Approved 504.00 and 507.00) and top up - it will only require 1 litre from the min mark, or you can go to your dealer who should top it up for free - my dealer topped me up with 1/2 litre without waiting and cheerfully.

Thanks for the correction. I'll just go to the dealer this time and investigate for next time. It is due a one year service in February anyway.

[THR]

Well I didn't make it to the dealer and they're closed tomorrow so it looks like I will be buying elsewhere.

I think I'll just get Shell Helix Ultra Extra as it is approved by VW.

Thanks for the tip to look in the lubricant section

[CatonaPC©]

Topped up today at 26000km and only needed 800ml. So it has done a little over 11,000km since service. No oil light, though. Pretty reasonable consumption given some of the horror stories you read.