It seems that after being misinformed my family put the wrong oil (complying to VW spec 505.00 and NOT 505.01) in my '04 ASZ engines VRS for the last 2,000 miles.

Should I get the engine oil out ASAP and put VW 505.01 in or has the damage already been done? :(

EDIT: It's 2,000 miles not 20,000 - sorry!

Edited 16 December, 200817 yr by yegnold

Oil should be changed every 10,000 miles maximum. If the bottom end isn't clattering you might have got away with it. Change oil ASAP and hope. I would not recommend variable service intervals on a PD Diesel. Oil change at 5,000 miles is a good idea, with oil and filter at 10,000 miles.

Hmm 505.1 it's designed with PD injectors in mind.

Personally I'd get a full flush through (forte or similar) and a new filter and oil in there asap.

Use a good quality VW505.1 oil from somebody like mobil1, castrol etc and then I'd probably do the next change at a short interval (5-6k) to get any nasties out.

The MK I Fabia VRS also isn't set up for variable servicing and can't be in the UK.

Sorry if i sound a bit thick here but what does "Variable Servicing" mean? is it like you cant service after 10K then service after 6K then another service after 8K?

It has previously been suggested that you shouldn't use a flush on a PD engine - just get it nice and warm and drain as much as possible.

On no account would I flush this engine! just change the oil and filter ASAP! Use a VW 505.1 spec oil, I use millers XFE-PD and change every 10,000 miles (or less if you wish).

HTH

Which is the most influencing factor in oil degredation - mileage or time?

Sorry if i sound a bit thick here but what does "Variable Servicing" mean? is it like you cant service after 10K then service after 6K then another service after 8K?

I have never understood not only what this mean, but the implications of not complying..... for example my fabia had a full service in September, I only do approx 5000 miles around town etc. I was thinking of doing a "DIY lube service" after 6 months & using Quantum oil (VW's) but have been a put off slightly about variable service

Which is the most influencing factor in oil degredation - mileage or time?

I would think the former, but am no expert. Something Mr Opie Oils would know about for sure.

all you can do is change it asap really and see how you go, you wont be the first to have done it, and you wont be the last !

I thought anything above 505.00 spec was OK for a Fabia?

There is an interesting article in this months Golf+ magazine regarding the need to change PD oil more regularly than VW suggest due to the high instances of cam and engine failure :eek: being experienced due to the long life service intervals.

I'd certainly do an oil and filter change ASAP.

I thought anything above 505.00 spec was OK for a Fabia?

505.01 as a min for PD engines.

Not the bottom end you want to worry about, its the top end.

every 5k miles for me with fully synth 505.01 spec...

hmmm that reminds me :(

Just to reiterate what has been said about flushing the engine - don't do it! I had my vrs serviced by an independent at the beginning of the year to keep the service book up-to-date. I specifically told him not to use an engine flush before handing the keys over because of the potential damage it can do to the camshaft etc. When I picked it up he said 'yeh everything's fine, we've flushed your engine, put fresh oil in, changed all the filters etc.' ****ed me right off, stupid get!

20,000 miles on and my top-end is a fair bit noisier than it used to be, even after subsequent oil changes (which i now do myself)! I'm sure it'll still run for miles, but it did used to be quieter i'm convinced! There's definitely more rattle on light throttle at around 2500 rpm.

To be honest I'm sure your engine will be ok, just change the oil asap to the proper spec!

Sorry if i sound a bit thick here but what does "Variable Servicing" mean? is it like you cant service after 10K then service after 6K then another service after 8K?

Variable service was introduced using a sump oil sensor and so called long life engine oil. The idea was, you could get 30,000 miles or two years between oil changes. It was a bad idea, and has killed a few 1.4 engines across the VW range. The oil was expensive at £17 a litre when I bought my Polo in 2005.

Oil breaks down due to dilution in petrol engines, plus the molecule chains get broken down due to pressure and heat.

As noted by others, you should never flush a PD engine, and oil needs to be 505.01 spec.

By the way this was a pretty huge typo by me; it has been in the engine for 2,000 miles. I'll edit my post accordingly.

I'm well aware that engine oil needs changing every 10k miles

EDIT: If damage does happen to have been done, what kind of money is involved in putting the damage right? :(

By the way this was a pretty huge typo by me; it has been in the engine for 2,000 miles. I'll edit my post accordingly.

I'm well aware that engine oil needs changing every 10k miles

That's good news Should be fine if you get it changed quickly.

Those who originally suggested flushing; I wouldn't bother anyway. After all the car has ran for 2000 miles with a 100% 505.00 oil content (that's approximately 3500 minutes let's say). I'm pretty sure if I got 90% of that oil out and replaced with a 505.01 oil then the 10% 505.00 left would do no damage whatsoever especially when compared to what's happened over the last 2000 miles.

After 2k miles no i wouldn't bother flushing and i wouldn't usually use flushing oil on this engine. Thoughts were more along the lines that if the wrong oil has been in there for 20k then you really want to get the deposits that may have formed out.

Forte will pay if any damage is done by their additives when used by a garage, I seem to remember

Like you say though, just drain it leaving hte plug out for a long time, put in a new filter and fill it up with VW505.1

Go to Kwik Fit with the correct oil and they'll change it ASAP.

Personally, I doubt it would make much difference or do any damage long term so I wouldn't bother changing it.

I'd rather do it myself than give it to Kwik Fit; we've got all the facilities here

Right finally got around to changing this, so I've now stopped worrying about driving the car anywhere due to the oil.

Thanks to everyone who gave advice.

In case anyone is interested I think it idles much quieter with the proper oil in. Could be placebo though.

Right finally got around to changing this, so I've now stopped worrying about driving the car anywhere due to the oil.

Thanks to everyone who gave advice.

In case anyone is interested I think it idles much quieter with the proper oil in. Could be placebo though.

Idle might well be quieter with the correct oil. The only place 505.01 oil is really needed is for the cam lobes that operate the PD injectors. These operate at incredible pressure, and really need the right oil or rapid camshaft lobe wear occurs.