Polo GTI High Oil Usage - Discussion Thread

[nomadx38]

Oh it's definitely dark, very dark almost black but its still got a tint of dark brown. It definitely not browny yellow like it was when new. The Shell oil on the other hand was sludgy and black by 15,000km.

[prcurrie]

How do you know how much oil has been used? Don't they tape off the filler cap & dipstick?

I've been going by the dipstick. From the top of the dipstick, to the bottom it's supposed to be 1 litre. All oil that I've put in (probably around 8l to date) I measure out properly and add to the engine.

No tape over the filler cap or the dipstick. I was surprised.....!

[kevinctr]

You will be surprised how different oil runs/burns in an engine. My dads Hyundai i40 chewed 400ml of oil (5w-30) in 5000km with the original oil from the first service. After an oil change with some Castrol it appears to have stopped but the engine was not as free flowing so I assume it was thicker. Now using some Penrite enviro 5w30. See how that goes...

On another note I have been using the Castrol long life 3 in my Polo TSI recently (though I have never had oil consumption problems after 45,000km) and I can definitely say its thinner than the Shell oil that came with it. I can hear more engine noise than before but I noticed that it doesn't break down as fast as the Shell. At 15,000km the shell oil was BLACK. Now due for an oil change again and after 15k with the Castrol its still dark brown.

As they say "Oils ain't Oils!"

A oil getting black faster does not means its breaking down. Only a oil viscosity test can determine this from what I know and did over the past 8 years. If there is an oil that does not turn black even after 10,000km, it just simple means its not cleaning the engine as it should be and its not idea as an engine oil.

[kawabanga]

Not sure black oil is a good sign, my original oil after the first 12.500Km was still light-brown on the paper.
I changed it at 12.500 with a 5W30 Bardhal C60 LS and now at 22.000Kms is almost the same as it was the Castrol...

In about 10.000Km the level is now at half dip-stick.

IMHO if piston rings don't work properly the oil is polluted by exhaust gases ...

[kevinctr]

18000km and on normal Mobil1 5W30 3.75L (4quarts) for the past 3000km, oil level has not moved on the dipstick.

I always check my oil using this method, a fully warmed up(88-92 degrees) engine and parked it for 20mins. I did try to check oil before I start the car in the morning and it shows the same level on the dipstick.

Anyone knows why VW specify to check oil with a hot engine? My previous Japanese cars are specify to be checked on cold engine.

Attached are the photos of my oil level, sorry for the poor quality as taken from a normal camera phone.

[nomadx38]

I think it's because when the engine is cold all the oil has gone to the bottom of the engine/sump.

If you check the dipstick it could show as over full and you let some out (to the full level). Once you start the car and warm it up and it is spread all around the engine (in the head, cams, valves) it will show the level as low which is not good in high revving situations as the pickup pump can struggle to give a continuous flow of oil.

[brad]

Your kidding? ROFL.

[nomadx38]

Nope I'm not...I said "I think" not "I know" but it does it on mine and every other engine I have had so I would love to hear your explanation on the matter...

It's not as much as much as a difference as I said though. I could measure mine at exactly half full when stone cold and after a normal run be at 3 dots (I have about 20 dots on the disstick) lower than when cold.

[brad]

Your supposed to measure hot but after xx minutes wait.

It's because hot oil expands but they want all the galleries & valleys to be drained.

My personal ROFL theory for this is that they want the oil level to appear as high as possible to cover up how much the engines are using.

I think as long as you check your oil occasionally it doesn't matter whether it's hot or cold - just use the same method all the time. It's still more than what most people do.

[kawabanga]

I always check my oil using this method, a fully warmed up(88-92 degrees) engine and parked it for 20mins. I did try to check oil before I start the car in the morning and it shows the same level on the dipstick.

Anyone knows why VW specify to check oil with a hot engine? My previous Japanese cars are specify to be checked on cold engine.

Kevin, I do the same (about 20/30 minutes after engine stopped when 90°C at least), but I usually find some differences when cold: usually one dot of the dipstick less compared to hot engine.

I read somewhere that those last generation oils are very sensitive to temperature expansion, that's why VW reccomend measurement with hot engine.
Furthermore, suggesting this kind of measurement, they avoid mistakes when cold: if you take out the car form the garage and you measure the oil, even waiting 20/30 minutes, you will never have a correct measurement, because oil when cold will never completely come into the sump...

BTW, your oil colour seems to be very similar to mine: light brown...

[tay113]

HI guys,
I am one of the many, facing the pain again and having to go for the same exercise doing the consumption test this friday.
Its a nightmare from day go as i had all the oil dried off by 800km and now....
I had the breather pipe done at 4900km and its alright till i hit 7000km.To add insult to my injury,i was told its within range.
Strangely,i notice the oil measurement on the tip stick was good the day before and suddenly this morning,the oil just disappeared by 1/2.
The sympton are spots of black soot and slightly sticky black oil on the back of the boot this last 30 days.
The problem i face is to use up 1000km asap before they start the 2nd round measurements
I gathered they might not have answers to our problems and hopefully our law will protect us after the warranty period. EEEEEE.

The things changed.
Fuel pressure pump 3times,front lower seat once and its folded again,brakes slightly better after bled twice,alot others minor issues retified.sorry lost count,Now the pressure pump is making slight noise.

So whats wrong with todays vw?I had problems with mark 5 dsg gti issues before.The vw passat ts of 1975 was brilliant and i am still pondering with a seat ibiza of 18 years.Still going strong. man. cheers tay

[gavs]

So whats wrong with todays vw?I had problems with mark 5 dsg gti issues before.

I think you answered your own question. It's a VW

[DOM02R]

I had my oil light come on for the first time the other day.

Currently a few hundred shy of the big 5000 kms it appeared on my drive home from work.

It was topped up with 1.4L by the dealership...

Everything else is running beautifully and still extremely happy with my purchase

[tay113]

I think you answered your own question. It's a VW

Just trying not to believed it .. sad haha.
cheers tay

[RossP]

I have to say that I have been using synthetic oils since the day Mobil 1 was released, and I use Castrol Edge 5W-30W in my MR2 Turbo. In all of the cars I have owned. the oil level has never gone up noticeably when hot in a HEALTHY engine. The physics of what is happening are pretty much undeniable. Excessive blow-by & cylinder wall wetting leads to contamination of the oil by fuel and combustion by-products, causing the oil level to rise when hot. Leave the car to sit and allow the fuel to evaporate from the oil over the next few days, you will see a noticeable drop every day.

Now, does anybody have or can they lead me to a copy of the TPI for the magic pipe repair. I have had it done recently, didn't slow down the oil consumption - but definitely notice that there seems to be reduced supercharger boost. Very noticeable when driving in "D" with a car full. I would love to know what they have actually done. Crossover from SC to Turbo at lower boost I would say - all designed to reduce blow-by?