Polo GTI High Oil Usage - Discussion Thread

[Scott01]

Hi Guys,

I've had high oil use issues too - added 1-1.5L+ at 1900, 3500 and 4800 KMs. Now at 7000 KMs, will check again, but seems to be settling down.

If it's still an issue, I'll get the dealer to do a consumption test, but even if that confirms it's too high - what's the best outcome?
Sounds like some have been through this and had new piston rings etc., but these don't fix the problem?

Cheers,
Scott

---------- Post added 15-12-2011 at 10:14 AM ---------- Previous post was 13-12-2011 at 01:25 PM ----------

Hmm... Just checked my oil. at 7000kms, at the bottom of the dipstick (below low, no oil light. yet).

Think it's time to book in for the oil consumption test.

Looks like it's consistently using ~600ml / 1000km.

1900km - added 300mls
2600km - added 2L
4900km - added 1.3L
7000km - at the bottom of the dipstick, which probably means it's down 1-1.3L

So assuming the consumption test confirms it's over 500ml/1000kms - what's the options, what should I be pushing the dealer to do about it? Obviously want it fixed (atleast to the point where i don't have maintain the oil so regularly) - but what solutions do they offer, and how likely are these to fix it?

From what people have said about lips of the cylinder blocks in first 100kms, does this mean things like new piston rings etc. or whatever else is offered has a low success rate of fixing this issue?

I know a few have discussed in the thread already, but any insights given my results are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Scott

[RoknRob]

I'm not sure you have much of a choice, Scott.

Given it will be "fixed" under warranty, the dealer will likely confer with VAG and together they will decide on the course of action.
It seems that the first thing they try is a piston ring replacement.

The only thing you can do, as far as I'm aware, is keep an eye on it after each attempt to rectify the problem.

[prcurrie]

821kms in and just checked the oil, it's just on the top notch so it's definitely used some - but not a lot.

However, looks like my catalytic converter just shat itself. Car felt funny tonight (sluggish & slight misfire) and then as soon as I pulled into the driveway, the light came on!

Back I go...........

[RoknRob]

821kms in and just checked the oil, it's just on the top notch so it's definitely used some - but not a lot.

However, looks like my catalytic converter just shat itself. Car felt funny tonight (sluggish & slight misfire) and then as soon as I pulled into the driveway, the light came on!

Back I go...........

Unbelievable!!!

[ATYPIC]

I have now rolled 11K and decided to post my findings.

- 4000km - added 1L
- 7000km - added 1L

On both occasions it was at the bottom of the stick or close to it. After my Melbourne -- Gold Coast -- Melbourne drive I have checked the oil and it has not moved one bit from where it should be on the stick.

I'm keeping the fingers crossed but I honestly believe this long continuous drive has settled the engine. Not only this, but the car is running so much smoother than it was before.

[dav]

hey Scott, I had the same issue and only solution they will offer is a replacement of all your piston rings. The replacement rings will be the new "revised" ones. It has stopped my oil usage so far, I've driven about 3000Km since the replacement and haven't topped up yet.

I do hope the cat converter holds up from the litres of burnt oil fumes that have gone through it :/

[Scott01]

Ah, ok. Yeah just wondering what to expect. Dav, 3000kms after new rings sounds promising at least. Got my consumption test next wk so see how it goes.

[crumbs]

Hey guys, I'm having oil problems too.. I got the orange light at 2500km and 6800km. Had two top-ups now, but both times done by VW so not sure how much they put in. Is this normal??

The guy recommended getting a piston check done -- I assume this will be free of cost considering it's only a 6 month old car?

[PatoriaN]

Okay so I finally had my booking with VW.

So a recap, I have done 1900 and my check oil light came on. I took it down, they checked it, and said that it is burning above the average but cant do anything until I hit 5000 km's as the engine gets run in.

They said VW wont cover it under warranty until I hit 5000 km's as it should settle down, if it doesn't then they will definitely look into it as it is above the average 500ml per 1000 kms - (1.2 litres for 1900) and it would be an issue.

One thing that they said was it wasn't actually on super low or empty when the light came on, I was told it comes on when you burn 800 ml worth. So it wasn't as bad as i first thought, but it is still quite high. They also said to come in for a top up whenever I need to.

Once it hits 5000 kms they will run a oil test on it and repair it if its above ratio outlined above.

So end result - they acknowledged the issue but wont fix it until 5000 kms (because its likely to magically disappear).

[dav]

Hey guys, I'm having oil problems too.. I got the orange light at 2500km and 6800km. Had two top-ups now, but both times done by VW so not sure how much they put in. Is this normal??

The guy recommended getting a piston check done -- I assume this will be free of cost considering it's only a 6 month old car?

Yup it is covered under warranty and you should be getting a courtesy car for your troubles. Start the ball rolling on the oil consumption test as it requires you driving another 1000km and then returning to the dealer for the results.

[gavs]

Okay so I finally had my booking with VW.

So a recap, I have done 1900 and my check oil light came on. I took it down, they checked it, and said that it is burning above the average but cant do anything until I hit 5000 km's as the engine gets run in.

They said VW wont cover it under warranty until I hit 5000 km's as it should settle down, if it doesn't then they will definitely look into it as it is above the average 500ml per 1000 kms - (1.2 litres for 1900) and it would be an issue.

One thing that they said was it wasn't actually on super low or empty when the light came on, I was told it comes on when you burn 800 ml worth. So it wasn't as bad as i first thought, but it is still quite high. They also said to come in for a top up whenever I need to.

Once it hits 5000 kms they will run a oil test on it and repair it if its above ratio outlined above.

So end result - they acknowledged the issue but wont fix it until 5000 kms (because its likely to magically disappear).

Oh mate, they are pulling you hard there! people are going in getting the new rings etc once the problem arrises, not at 5000kms. They know there is a problem, don't be surprised if you get a magical phone call to say your car is booked in and you need to take it down to the dealer. I would say that it's too close to christmas shutdown for them to care and instead of telling you that, they just made some bulltish excuse.

800ml for the light to come on?! well, either my check oil light doesn't work which has the sesor right in the BOTTOM of the sump (along with the temperature sensor) or that's another fib mate. When I changed my oil, no light was on with 3L in it and the capacity is 4.5L so......

[Karly101]

Think they are telling you a few porkies!

My oil light doesn't seem to go on till ~1.5L, I've unfortunately had it come on twice, once when the problem first started and then once during the oil consumption test where they told me not to fill it. Since then I've been checking it regularly and topping up, mine is scheduled to go in after Christmas for the new rings. I'm still going through heaps of oil and back of car is covered in oily deposits too...

I'm just frustrated they won't acknowledge this is a issue and that it took so long for them to take action on it...it's not normal to have to keep returning a new car to the dealer for oil top ups. If I hadn't read this forum I would still be driving with it using insane amounts because it was me who asked for an oil consumption test as they brushed it off.

[Diesel_vert]

Please note, AFAIK the capacity between the MIN and MAX mark on the dipstick is about 0.5 litres.

As such, should the yellow "check oil level" message show up, the owner's manual advises to top up 0.5 litres at a time.

It is quite insistent that you do not overfill.

Hmm... Just checked my oil. at 7000kms, at the bottom of the dipstick... which probably means it's down 1-1.3L

No. If that were actually the case, you'd be needing a new engine!

The dipstick measures the top 0.5 litres. So assuming the total oil capacity is 3.6 litres, in absolute terms the MIN mark represents 3.1 litres and the MAX mark represents 3.6 litres.

So a recap, I have done 1900 and my check oil light came on. I took it down, they checked it, and said that it is burning above the average but cant do anything until I hit 5000 km's as the engine gets run in.

They said VW wont cover it under warranty until I hit 5000 km's as it should settle down, if it doesn't then they will definitely look into it as it is above the average 500ml per 1000 kms - (1.2 litres for 1900) and it would be an issue.

Once it hits 5000 kms they will run a oil test on it and repair it if its above ratio outlined above.

That's correct and probably standard procedure - the owner's manual does advise that oil consumption may be higher than average (0.50 l/1000 km) during the first 5000 km.

1.20 l/1900 km works out to be about 0.63 l/1000 km - which is above average, but don't hit panic stations yet. Just keep an eye on the level to ensure that you aren't caught out if oil consumption suddenly skyrockets.

One thing that they said was it wasn't actually on super low or empty when the light came on, I was told it comes on when you burn 800 ml worth. So it wasn't as bad as i first thought, but it is still quite high. They also said to come in for a top up whenever I need to.

Yes, that is generally the case for most vehicles.

Rest assured, if it was actually low on oil (as in only one or two litres left in total), you would end up with a significant loss of oil pressure (red oil light in addition to the yellow/orange oil light), followed by a damaged or even seized engine if left long enough!

So end result - they acknowledged the issue but wont fix it until 5000 kms (because its likely to magically disappear).

Well, that remains to be seen - but at the same time, it's not impossible.

When I changed my oil, no light was on with 3L in it and the capacity is 4.5L so......

Are you sure it's 4.5 litres?

In another thread, I recall that you ultimately poured in about 4.25 litres of oil (without issue I presume), but can you double check what the owner's manual says?

My oil light doesn't seem to go on till ~1.5L, I've unfortunately had it come on twice, once when the problem first started and then once during the oil consumption test where they told me not to fill it. Since then I've been checking it regularly and topping up, mine is scheduled to go in after Christmas for the new rings. I'm still going through heaps of oil and back of car is covered in oily deposits too...

As per the owner's manual, ensure that you are not inadvertently overfilling the engine, by topping up in 0.5 litre increments.

But hopefully, your issue will be fixed with the new parts.

[Karly101]

As per the owner's manual, ensure that you are not inadvertently overfilling the engine, by topping up in 0.5 litre increments.

But hopefully, your issue will be fixed with the new parts.

At this stage I am just getting it topped up by the dealer and not doing it myself so it is all on record and I can't be blamed for doing the wrong thing! Counting down the days till it goes in to get fixed, though I'm wondering whether I am going to have other issues such as with the cat converter due to how much it is burning and the deposits covering the exhaust.

[kaanage]

I'm wondering whether I am going to have other issues such as with the cat converter due to how much it is burning and the deposits covering the exhaust.

Don't worry, it'll be out of warranty by the time the cat expires