Polo GTI High Oil Usage - Discussion Thread

[Gambit]

FYI i will be changing my own oil at 5000km's and will then take it into VW for its schedules first 15,000km service.
Spoke to the service guys at Camberwell and they use the VW504 oil which is exactly the same as off the shelf Castrol 5w-30 at any automotive store. I brought a genuine oil filter and a replaceable sump plug which is usually changed at every oil change.

Personally i cant understand why the oil is not changed earlier than the scheduled 15k km's as any brand new engine in the first 5k km's produces a lot more micro fragments and contamination than at other other period in its running life.

Anyhow this is just my personal opinion, but if you having to top it up after 5k km's often, then think about changing the oil in it entirety. Seems much more economical and beneficial to longevity.

[gavs]

The oil filter picks up any of the micro fragments etc and besides, you will probably burn through all of your oil that was factory filled anyway by 5000kms so with all the top ups required, it will be like it's being constantly serviced anyway!

Interesting that there is the Castrol details on the oil filler cap in my GTI yet the dealership I bought from use shell helix.....

[Trepid4tion]

... I brought a genuine oil filter and a replaceable sump plug which is usually changed at every oil change...

Very tempted to do the exact same, still researching the best oil for it (could just go to the dealer and get the same as what they are using, that would be the sensible thing to do hahaha), but i have a couple of questions. Was the genuine filter and sump plug reasonable in price and was there much dismantling required to get to the sump plug?

btw, i have Elsawin at home with all the current info, just need a 32bit OS to install it to... -_-

[Gambit]

This is exactly what i was given at VW, CASTROL EDGE 2010 | PRODUCT except it has a label that says VW504 that is all.

They charged $65 for 5lts, went into autobahn out of curiosity and they sell it for $60, the sump plug was $3, and the oil filter was $28

[Trepid4tion]

Sweet! Shall order it all today and pick it up when the Bushing gets in... Done nearly 5000km's, dont like the 15000 first service idea with the oil >>

[CarbonVW]

Sweet! Shall order it all today and pick it up when the Bushing gets in... Done nearly 5000km's, dont like the 15000 first service idea with the oil >>

Hey mate. I recommend you getting SLX PROFESSIONAL LONGLIFE III POWERFLOW 5W-30 instead of CASTROL EDGE SPORT 5W-30.

Unlike Castrol Edge which you can buy anywhere, SLX is only available to buy directly from the VW dealerships. SLX meets the new VW504.00/507.00 spec unlike Edge which only meets outdated VW502.00/505.00.

From memory, 5L of SLX, an oil filter and sump plug washer cost me $90 from VW.

[Catfish]

I recommend you getting SLX PROFESSIONAL LONGLIFE III POWERFLOW 5W-30 instead of CASTROL EDGE SPORT 5W-30.

Unlike Castrol Edge which you can buy anywhere, SLX is only available to buy directly from the VW dealerships. SLX meets the new VW504.00/507.00 spec unlike Edge which only meets outdated VW502.00/505.00.

From VW's own approved oil list...........................................

Castrol Edge 5W-30 50400/50700
Castrol Edge Professional LL03 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Castrol Edge Professional Longlife III SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Castrol Longlife III SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Castrol Magnatec Professional C3 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Castrol SLX Professional LL03 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Castrol SLX Professional Longlife III 5W-30 50400/50700
Castrol SLX Professional Powerflow Longlife III 5W-30 50400/50700

[CarbonVW]

From VW's own approved oil list...........................................

Castrol Edge 5W-30 50400/50700
Castrol Edge Professional LL03 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Castrol Edge Professional Longlife III SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Castrol Longlife III SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Castrol Magnatec Professional C3 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Castrol SLX Professional LL03 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Castrol SLX Professional Longlife III 5W-30 50400/50700
Castrol SLX Professional Powerflow Longlife III 5W-30 50400/50700

I have spoken to a Castrol rep and he has told me all Australian Castrol Edge oil does not meet VW504/507.

Even the Castrol Australia website states on the Edge Sport 5W-30 Data sheet that it only meets VW: 502 00/505. You can see for yourself here: http://www.castroledge.com.au/downlo...240_200603.pdf

[gavs]

Interesting, wouldn't have thought there would be more than 1 5w-30 Castrol edge sport around the world, especially when it's the oil reccomended by VW.

I have been told by a rep from a reputable and international adhesive company many a time that "that's the glue you want, it will stick perfectly to that material and you won't have any issue..." only to find that after a 30 degree / 0 degree / colour change etc related failure of the so-called "perfect" adhesive renders that information useless and we go back to the drawing board again, hence why now, I only deal with the chemical engineers because after all, reps are only salespeople after all.......

[Gambit]

Just go to a vw parts department and get it there it's only $5 difference, you need to go there anyway to get the filter and sump plug.

[Trepid4tion]

Hey mate. I recommend you getting SLX PROFESSIONAL LONGLIFE III POWERFLOW 5W-30 instead of CASTROL EDGE SPORT 5W-30.

Unlike Castrol Edge which you can buy anywhere, SLX is only available to buy directly from the VW dealerships. SLX meets the new VW504.00/507.00 spec unlike Edge which only meets outdated VW502.00/505.00.

From memory, 5L of SLX, an oil filter and sump plug washer cost me $90 from VW.

Cheers mate, think this might be the path im headed

Just go to a vw parts department and get it there it's only $5 difference, you need to go there anyway to get the filter and sump plug.

Yeah, have already tee'd this up with the dealership, pick up the rear engine mount, sump plug, filter and oil in a couple of days when the mount arrives... Jealous of you Melbournite's now, parts warehouse is down there... Might have to move back

[Diesel_vert]

Spoke to the service guys at Camberwell and they use the VW504 oil which is exactly the same as off the shelf Castrol 5w-30 at any automotive store. I brought a genuine oil filter and a replaceable sump plug which is usually changed at every oil change.

That holds true for Europe, where their "Castrol Edge 5W-30" is a 504/507 approved oil.

But not in Australia, as our "Castrol Edge Sport 5W-30" is actually a different oil (with a very similar name).

The only 504/507 oil marketed by Castrol in Australia that I'm aware of, is the "SLX Professional Powerflow Longlife III 5W-30", and is only available from the dealer.

Interesting, wouldn't have thought there would be more than 1 5w-30 Castrol edge sport around the world, especially when it's the oil reccomended by VW.

The VW oil lists are not region specific, but it doesn't mean that every oil on the list is available in every country - that's up to the lubricant manufacturer's discretion.

Best not to focus on brand or product name - just look for "VW 504.00 / 507.00 approved" on the bottle and you'll be fine.

[Gambit]

Well I changed the oil and oil filter as part of my own self service, after Draining the sump, there was only 3lts of oil remaining, I ended up filling 4.1lts~ roughly back in. So it's obviously consumed a liter over 5k kms. If anyone wants step by step photos let me know as I quickly took some shots whilst in the process.

[Coolio]

If anyone wants step by step photos let me know as I quickly took some shots whilst in the process.

Gambit i would be very interested in some photos if you are happy to share, can send you a PM with email address if you like.

[Gambit]

Here are the photos, its a very easy job to do took me about 45mins in total.
I brought VAG supplied Oil as per below, 5lts VW 504, Oil Filter and replaceable sump plug.


After jacking your car up on stands, you will need to remove the plastic underbody panel.


There are 9 screws in total and you will need a hex tool.


Here is the panel once removed, as you can see it slides rearwards to come off.


It took a few minutes for me to figure out where the sump plug was located, but its simply next to the exhaust flex pipe, facing rearwards. I think its a 16 or 17mm socket that you will need to get this one off, and the replacement sump plug requires a smaller socket. Once thats off drain as necessary.


Funny enough the most annoying part to remove was the oil filter even though its in the top side location, my oil filter removal tool was just slightly too small in diameter so i had to squeeze it on. Essentially there is a check valve that ensures oil does not leak anywhere once you pull the filter off, but i placed a rag over the top of the alternator just in case to pick up any drips. Also suggest that you remove the annoying blue washer bottle lid thats right next the oil filter as that was in the way when trying to remove the filter.


I forgot to take a photo of the drained oil, but there was 3lts left and it was just filthy black, i am so so glad i replaced that oil, cant imagine topping up that filth! hahaha

Then i replaced about 4lts ~ thereabouts in total, and went about the reverse to get it all back together and done!
Crank it over, check for leaks and away you go.
btw i noticed that the idle seemed much more smoother and acceleration was equally nice and smooth.
Happy motoring