So when a volkswagon hits, say, 75k miles I've read it's not unusual for it to consume a quart of oil over anywhere from 1,200 to 1,800 miles. Keeping oil on hand and refilling it when the level does drop is what most do from what I can tell. Would this mean you could go a little longer than the 5-7k you usally go (synthetic oil) between changes (I know several folks going well above 7k between synthetic changes regularly without the consumption of oil). I would imagine the filter would be fine as well for an older car that burns oil more frequently? I also assume there would be more sludge since over the course of 7500 miles you'd have an entirely new 4.5 quarts in your engine than when you had it changed on these high mileage cars.

I was also told at the dealership that I have a slight leak but I haven't seen one drop of oil underneath my car at home?

11/13/2013 4:18:21 PM

check your owners manual. $10 says the factory service interval for an oil change (using organic oil) is 7500 miles.

If you're using synthetic I say just keep an eye on oil level and change it every 10k miles.

11/13/2013 4:27:16 PM

Is it a turbo?

11/13/2013 4:28:48 PM

Your assumptions are correct. I'm gonna Kanye West in here: Something to be wary of is how constantly burning oil, even if considered 'normal' by stealerships for some vehicles, can be detrimental to catalytic converters and ruin its service life.

11/13/2013 6:30:33 PM

A quart every 1200-1800 miles on a commuter car engine sounds like a lot to me.

11/14/2013 9:06:32 AM

Agreed, but manufacturers don't consider it "a problem" until it's a quart every 1000 miles.

11/14/2013 9:35:09 AM

Thanks for responses, specific car in question is a 1.8 turbo, Audi A4, 10 years old this Feb, 85K miles.

11/14/2013 11:04:53 AM

The Wolfwebber who owns or works at Black Forest Industries could probably advise on how "normal" this is for that particular engine. I'm drawing a blank on his username for some reason.

If it were my car I'd really want to know how that oil is being consumed. A compression test would be a good start and a leakdown test might help me decide whether to keep driving the car or trade it in on something else. I'd also be a little skeptical about why it has such low mileage and if it's related to the oil consumption in some way.

11/14/2013 3:21:39 PM

What kind of oil to use on a 160k+ motor that appears to have a little less pressure than it should?

I assume all the clearances just open up, but just running a heavy weight is probably rough on the pump?

(ive wanted to make an oil thread for awhile, so yay)

It doesnt consume oil-

11/14/2013 9:52:06 PM

My 2003 k24 accord seems to eat about a quart every 2500-3000 miles if i run syn.

Conventional seems to be better. Talked to a few folks, they said not to worry about it unless it suddenly increases, seems like some of these motors consume oil (even at low mileage)

11/15/2013 1:07:48 AM

My money is on your turbo is shot and oil is blowing by the seals and burning in your exhaust housing.

I forgot Adam @ bfi's sn on here. He is a good dude and they are a great shop.

Beethead also owns or works for a vee dub shop.

Slut also know a ton about the vee dubs as he once owned a shop too.

Compression test wouldn't hurt but that's a strong bottom end and a weak turbo... My money is on blown turbo,

11/15/2013 3:32:07 AM

^ +1

11/15/2013 4:45:36 AM

talk to beethead

11/15/2013 9:12:15 AM

my first instinct would be to check the PCV. notoriously crappy. but your consumption seems a little high for just PCV issues.

I would check the charge piping and intercooler to see if there is oil (more than just a film) in there.

then i would do a compression/leakdown test.

let me know if you would like us to look at it...
http://www.apex-tuning.com

11/23/2013 1:03:14 PM

My Saturn burns a quart every 1500 miles or so, I just top it up and drain it every 10k when I replace the 15k filter. So far its made it to 190k miles on that treatment for the last 70,000.

11/24/2013 4:09:19 PM

I had an Accord in high school that went through a quart of oil per tank of gas

11/24/2013 5:01:03 PM

The Malibu I had in high school (and afterward) went through about a quart a month, which was probably only 500 or so miles given that all my trips were short. Didn't burn a drop but man did it leak (rear main seal, valve cover gasket, and I think a third one somewhere else).

11/25/2013 12:22:46 PM

Mine burned, it was like driving a tiny coal powered train.

11/25/2013 5:36:52 PM