2.0 TDI Oil consumption

[DaveA6]

Given that the handbook and the dealers both say that anything up to 0.5l every 1000 km (625miles) is within tolerance I was just wondering what most people's oil consumtion is like? Mine was bought new last September and the oil consumption has gradually worsened from about 0.5l every 1800 miles to now using 0.5l in less than 500 miles (so has finally been accepted as a problem and has been booked in for diagnosis). As I typically do between 600 and 1000 miles each week I've been having to top up pretty much once a week - the oil level warning light comes on as frequently as the fuel light! As its now done 15,000 miles I would have expected any running in oil consuption to have passed by now. Certainly no car I've owned in the past 20 years has needed oil more frequently than 6000 miles and my last turbo diesel (Renault) went the full 18,000 miles between services without a top-up. It would be good to know what others are getting so I know what is considered to be normal.

[DaveA6]

Well, after over 7 weeks in the dealers I got my car back - it seems there was no oil control ring on one of the pistons! they couldn't find any sign of it, no bits in the sump etc so it looks like it came out of the factory without it!!! So much for audi being a quality manufacturer! Anyway, i've now done 2000 miles since getting the car back and the light hasn't come on yet so hopefully it is fixed. Interestingly I had two different courtesy cars, both 2.0 tdi and both needed the oil topping up while I had them (<3000 miles) so it does seem that excessive oil consumption is a feature of these engines.

[DaveA6]

Update: I've now done 10,000 miles since getting the car back from the repair (27,500 total) It seems to be needing a top up of 0.5l every 1800-2000 miles. To me this still seems excessive but according to the dealer and the handbook it is normal. I just can't believe that it can be acceptable to set off on holiday with the oil topped up full and have to put more oil in the car before you get back from a two week holiday!

[Akash]

Now you know why they give you oil in the boot of the car!
Mine asked for oil at 14000 miles (maybe 15 cant remember)

But as mentioned, this is normal for it to ask for so much
~Maybe its a good thing...that way oil doesnt just sit there and instead, does get burnt

[Admiral]

This is perfectly normal for the 2.0 VAG engine. The early period (up to 20k miles) the engine is designed to used a large amount of oil. This is called running in oil. The engine calibaration and management system uses this oil on purpose to aid the running in period, without this technology you would need an early oil change at about 2k miles. This high oil usage effectively changes the oil for the engine over this period. I used 2 litres before my 1st service at 18k miles the next 12K I used about 1/2 litre.

You should be happy that the engine is getting a regular dose of new oil. Due to some later fuel injection events in the calibration some unburnt fuel passes into the engine sump and dilutes the oil, this is another reason for constant top ups. If you have a car with a DPF oil consumption could be even higher.

Audi have a system that constantly monitors the oil quantity and quality. Not all manufactures are at this stage of TDI knowledge.

[Akash]

Admiral of Audi Engineering? :- ) You sound like you work for them!

Makes sense though
So is it less on the 2.7 TDI?

[DaveA6]

Originally Posted by Admiral

This is perfectly normal for the 2.0 VAG engine. The early period (up to 20k miles) the engine is designed to used a large amount of oil. This is called running in oil. The engine calibaration and management system uses this oil on purpose to aid the running in period, without this technology you would need an early oil change at about 2k miles. This high oil usage effectively changes the oil for the engine over this period. I used 2 litres before my 1st service at 18k miles the next 12K I used about 1/2 litre.

You should be happy that the engine is getting a regular dose of new oil. Due to some later fuel injection events in the calibration some unburnt fuel passes into the engine sump and dilutes the oil, this is another reason for constant top ups. If you have a car with a DPF oil consumption could be even higher.

Audi have a system that constantly monitors the oil quantity and quality. Not all manufactures are at this stage of TDI knowledge.

Thanks for the reply Admiral. If my car had only used 2l up to the first service I wouldn't have minded. Mine used over 10l in its first 17,000 miles. Between 17,000 and 27,000 (after being in the workshop for over 7 weeks to fix it!) its used another 3 litres and continues to need a top up every 1800 miles or so despite having now covered nearly 30,000 miles. I don't consider this to be advanced technology, I consider it to be completely unacceptable that I have to stop and pour oil into the engine every two weeks even though it should be totally run in by now. My previous turbo diesel cars have been much smoother and have used no oil at all between services at 18,000 mile intervals (and haven't needed an early oil change) These have shown no deterioration in engine performance, oil consumption or fuel consumption over 100k miles so I don't accept that VAG's excessive oil consumption is necessary for long engine life. This is seriously affecting my enjoyment of the car (together with various intermittent electronic niggles plus the ridiculous electromechanical handbrake often failing to release itself & the engine often stalling for no apparent reason) and I'm now glad I only took out a two year lease and I'm starting to look forward to getting rid of this car. This was my first Audi and based on this experience it is likely to be my last!!

[richdee]

My 2.7tdi has not drunk a drop between services - it's now covered 38k and I have never topped it up between services.

However my A4 cab with a 2.4v6 petrol drank 1litre every 2000 miles which cost me £18 every 2000 miles so the A6 is a lot cheaper..