Golf Using Engine Oil?

[jeddyb]

Hey guys,

Was hoping I could gather a little insight from you lot.

In January of this year, I purchased a 2001 Golf IV 1.6 8v 5sp. I think it was serviced in the first few months and a sticker was placed on my windshield to let me know when to take it in again. I went to check the oil level today, and noticed it was quite down, just a bit past the optimum level hash area. Anyway, it said on the sticker to take it in after about 10,000 kms and I had a look at the sticker and turns out I've done about 11,000, so I plan to take it in soon.

But I just wanted to know, is it normal for some of the oil to go like this? I mean I've never noticed oil dripping from the car and there doesn't seem to be large amounts of oil in the engine bay and I just wasn't sure if it was normal for some of the oil to get "eaten" within a typical service cycle?

Thanks in advance, just want to clear my head a bit

Jed.

[dylan8]

i know a lot of 2l 8v mk4 engines have this problem, cant say i recall the 1.6 doing it, but probably the same reason.
apparently there was a seal installed upside down when the motors were built. lots about it on vwvortex. if cars were found to have it during warranty they had the engines rebuilt, but it was never a recall as far as im aware.
my car is the same, i doubt i could go 15,000km without it using ALL the oil. i have been caught out once or twice earlier on with it basically emptying the engine of oil and getting a 'stop engine' alarm when cornering hard (moving remaining oil to one side of engine, away from the sensor).
these days i just keep track of it and give it a top up every 7,500km (half way between the 15,000 scheduled services)

[jeddyb]

Yeah, fair enough. I guess it's not that bad considering I'm going to be replacing all of it every 10,000 kms or so anyway, I'll just have to be sure to keep an eye on it. I should note though that I haven't gotten an oil light on my dash even though it's near the end of the dipstick.

Anyway, thanks for your quick reply,
Jed.

[balkanac]

Just check your oil every month or so and you'll be fine

[dylan8]

mine doesnt either. no low warning, just when it thought it was completely out!
i believe some of the base model mk4s dont have all the sensors and alarms that the gtis, 4mos, r32s have...
iv been driving mine using oil for 120,000km now, and im not really nice to my car and it hasnt got any worse (if anything, better??) then it has since day one.

[jeddyb]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm taking it in for new oil tomorrow.

[leighaus]

oil/filter change is really easy. Its also very satisfying to work on your own car and save money on the process.

[jeddyb]

Yeah, that's true. I might just see if I can go pick the stuff up then. I'll at least be going to him to get the products because he knows the specific stuff used for my car.

[mikk]

My 2.0 uses a bit of oil. Read up on it and it's a very common thing. Just top it up between services if you need to and all will be sweet.

[Cookie28]

Yeah my 2.0 also uses a but of oil which is rather annoying but what can you do just gotta check it often

[balkanac]

My R does not use any oil at all. i think this has something to do with how the engine has been broken in when it was new

[leighaus]

go to a slightly thicker viscosity oil if its really using oil.

[type 17]

My R does not use any oil at all. i think this has something to do with how the engine has been broken in when it was new

This ^

If the piston rings dont get seated properly from the very first start up your engine will always consume a little oil.
VW/Audi actually go by a quart of oil every 10,000KMs or a litre every 12000kms approximately, as being acceptable.

For engine break in procedures read this, it is a very good explanation as a how to.

Break In Secrets--How To Break In New Motorcycle and Car Engines For More Power

[samSC1192]

i know a lot of 2l 8v mk4 engines have this problem, cant say i recall the 1.6 doing it, but probably the same reason.
apparently there was a seal installed upside down when the motors were built. lots about it on vwvortex. if cars were found to have it during warranty they had the engines rebuilt, but it was never a recall as far as im aware.
my car is the same, i doubt i could go 15,000km without it using ALL the oil. i have been caught out once or twice earlier on with it basically emptying the engine of oil and getting a 'stop engine' alarm when cornering hard (moving remaining oil to one side of engine, away from the sensor).
these days i just keep track of it and give it a top up every 7,500km (half way between the 15,000 scheduled services)

so glad i came across this post i had this problem months ago and was freaking out that something was really wrong since i wasnt leaking oil and my car was blowing no smoke at all. back when i posted up about it noone gave me any decent info about why it happens, at least now i know whats up now i put slightly thicker oil in my car but i think ill go back to 5w or whatever its supposed to have and just top it up more oftern since i heard using the wrong oil can shorten engine life??

[RolfGolf]

Check engine oil light comes on WAY before you use ALL your oil ... - there would be a lot of seized engines otherwise. Your dipstick usually indicates a drop of up to a litre of oil - ie. meaning there's still oil in your sump, but you need to top it up.

When making the piston rings, a whole batch of piston rings had their labels "stamped" incorrectly. As a result of that, the piston rings were installed upside down when the engines were assembled. If you do a Google search you'll find much more info on the subject.