VW T5.1 excessive oil use

[hoddy]

Hi everyone. Just wanted to inform everyone of the issues that I'm currently dealing with, and others around the globe are also having.
I own a 2010 T5.1 Tarnsporter 4motion LWB, BiTurbo. Has been losing oil for about a year now.
And I'm talking serious oil - prob put 30-40 litres oil over that time!
VW dealer cannot find source of this loss and I have commenced a 1000km oil consumption test.
The dealer basically said that if it uses more than 0.5 Litres per 1000km, then a new engine is required!
Am out of warranty, the vans only done 135,000km. Not sure if VW Australia would cover this cost.

It seems to be happening to models from 2010 on.

The fault - Piston ring failure I think...

VW have issued a TPI number 2039830/5
In summary the TPI says;
Excessive oil consumption = worn cylinder walls = Replace base Engine, Cat, DPF, Lambda probe, new software.

Lots of info here: http://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=446408

and here: https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads...1-calis.11145/

And a dedicated Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vwcfca/

Will update results of my consumption test, and outcome of any dealings with VW.

Cheers

[Sunny43.5]

Sounds like a problem I had with Ford Australia many long years ago , bought a brand new Falcon ute and it was using 1 litre per 1000 kays . They did the test and said yes a problem turned out the bore was somehow machined out of round so the the gap in the oil rings were at the widest point so oil was going straight past the rings .

[Markee]

I've been following this topic closely and you are one of the first Australian vehicles to come up, I would suggest being out of warranty you hit VW Aus hard for some good will towards the replacement engine and use the examples from OS dealers.
I would though be pushing for all costs covered as VW have now admitted, via the TPI, that there is a problem.

[Bryn23]

That was a disturbing read, i didn't read the Facebook post as i'm not on facebook.

It seems that is was a the 132kw in the year 2010-2011, CFCA engine. and it appears that VW fixed the issue after 2011.

With all the evidence, it wouldn't prove hard to show it's not fit for purpose as the issues are happening out of the warranty period due to low milage during warranty period.

Although the best anyone has gotten from VW UK is a 70% rebate on the engine replacement. (still this is better than nothing)

This guy Ivor's vinyl wrap worked for him, i'd be doing the same thing and parking it outside the dealership until it was resolved in writing.

[hoddy]

I saw that pic too while searching - that's classic!
Am around 400km into my 1000km oil test, no oil light yet. Will keep u posted on my outcome with VW geelong.

Someone mentioned that 10w40 505 spec oil might be thicker and last longer. Something to consider, but at the moment it feels like the power available in my 132kw has dropped around 10%. And the economy prob 20% worse. So would rather have it back to where it was before all this **** startled happening.

[Bryn23]

Hopefully it gets resolved in your favour,

I wouldn't try the different spec oil unless it is VW Geelong's idea, they may use the wrong type of oil against you, even thought it happened before the oil issue.

Try can keep all records of communication, if you can in Victoria, i'd be legally recording the dealings with Vw Geelong. Whether you let them know your recording is up to you, i'm not sure whats legal down there and these recorders are cheap as chips.


But if all else fails, use one of these and walk away


"This is a joke by the way, for those keyboard warriors"

[Transporter]

I've never saw an excessive oil usage in the T5's where owners were servicing at 12months/15,000km, whichever comes first intervals.

Also would suggest the first oil change much sooner than at 15,000km, for those of you with a brand new van.

[hoddy]

I've never saw an excessive oil usage in the T5's..........

That may be the case in general. But regarding the T5.1 years 2010 & 2011, it would appear that despite servicing according to the schedule, a defective engine is still a defective engine.

[big dave]

Looks like I'm number 2 then, only done 91000. 2011 using oil and dpf stuffed. Good luck guys!

[Bryn23]

Hopefully, if this becomes an issue, there will be strength in numbers

[Transporter]

That may be the case in general. But regarding the T5.1 years 2010 & 2011, it would appear that despite servicing according to the schedule, a defective engine is still a defective engine.

Do you have the service book for your van with the record of services done?

[hoddy]

Do you have the service book for your van with the record of services done?

Yes, all serviced at VW dealer.
First at 16,000, then every 15k.
Including DSG oil at 60 & 120km as requested by me.

Should I have changed oil every 10,000 km? I would have if it was required.

[Bryn23]

I'd personally change it at 10,000km, just as i'll change the oil out after the first 1500km. its just something that i believe in, and oil is cheaper than an engine rebuild.

I don't believe in long life oil, as it does appear to be thinner..

I do agree with using the correct oil spec, i did notice, people using 507 oil instead of 504 oil were having cam wearing issues (if i can recall it right) as the 507 didn't have an additive.

Whether it makes a difference in by changing the oil early at all, i don't really know if it would help in this instance.

If it is a flaw in the engine design, oil change wouldn't have made a huge difference..

The key is finding out what was done to the later engines to resolve this issue, as then under your AUS rights, you can proof it wasn't fit for use, hence the redesign.

Hopefully you can get VWA to the table to pay for most of it... i wouldn't expect them to pay 100%, but getting of with 70% would help.

Keep us informed, with your research..

[Transporter]

Yes, all serviced at VW dealer.
First at 16,000, then every 15k.
Including DSG oil at 60 & 120km as requested by me.

Should I have changed oil every 10,000 km? I would have if it was required.

If you drive under severe driving conditions, then yes. Changing oil every 7,500km or 6 months suits to most people, IMO.

Haven't said that, since you and others didn't have an excessive oil consumption right from the start and it only become a problem later, I'd say that the engine is prematurely worn out as a result of incorrect service regime.

It's the vehicle owner responsibility to service more often if you drive under severe driving conditions.

[Transporter]

I'd personally change it at 10,000km, just as i'll change the oil out after the first 1500km. its just something that i believe in, and oil is cheaper than an engine rebuild.

I don't believe in long life oil, as it does appear to be thinner..

I do agree with using the correct oil spec, i did notice, people using 507 oil instead of 504 oil were having cam wearing issues (if i can recall it right) as the 507 didn't have an additive.

Whether it makes a difference in by changing the oil early at all, i don't really know if it would help in this instance.

If it is a flaw in the engine design, oil change wouldn't have made a huge difference..

The key is finding out what was done to the later engines to resolve this issue, as then under your AUS rights, you can proof it wasn't fit for use, hence the redesign.

Hopefully you can get VWA to the table to pay for most of it... i wouldn't expect them to pay 100%, but getting of with 70% would help.

Keep us informed, with your research..

It was the 5 cylinder R5 engine AXD and AXE and only up to 7/2006 that had the excessive valve train wear if some smart alek used different than VW506.01 oil in them.