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1.8 TSI - excessive oil consumption


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Hi,

Does anyone have any experience of excessive oil consumption?

My 2009 Superb 1.8 TSI has always used a bit of oil, but now, with 72000 miles on the clock, it's really started using an excessive amount. I topped it up on Sunday after the low oil light came on. Drove about 150 miles on Monday and had to put another litre in on Tuesday and have just had to put another litre in 170 miles later again.

There are no visible leaks and it doesn't appear to burn anything obviously out of the exhaust. Also no sign of oil in the coolant.

The idle is a little lumpy from time to time but not always.

It appears that there are several Audi/VW technical bulletins regarding excessive oil consumption on TSI engines which centre around rectifying problems/shortfalls with the crankcase ventilation system and if that doesn't work there's a suggestion that new (revised) piston rings may be fitted. Does anyone have any experience of this?

The car has always been serviced by my local Skoda dealer but is obviously out of warranty and been topped up with the correct grade (504.00) oil. The optimist in me would hope that the dealer may be able to get some support if it's down to wear or inherent design faults.

It's a shame as I am looking to buy two other cars for a couple of employees and given my cars exploding DMF at 60k and now this I'm struggling to maintain my loyalty towards Skoda.

Any help/comments appreciated.

Justin.

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1 liter per 150 miles is definitely not normal and should be a reason to visit your dealer asap!

My 1.8 TSI uses very little oil, it's now at 17.000 km (about 11.000 miles) and I have only added less than a liter so far.

Edited by andrehj
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Dealer A.S.A.P. If burning that amount of oil you would be making a smoke screen and your exhaust pipe will be damp with a black oily coating, a petrol engine would be oiling plugs to the extend of complete failure to work, a leak this size would be very obvious. If as you say no obvious burning, or leak the oil has to be still in the engine so you could have a very serious problem.

Oil usage of that amount must be very obvious externaly so you require an experienced mechanical technician, not the usual school leaver type who only know how to use VCDS.

Please update for benifit of group users.

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Hi, Justin

I had same problem while the car was only 10.000 km. I topped up to 1 liter of oil in less than 1000 km with same observations made by you: clean engine, no smoke. My engine code is CDAA which seems to be produced by AUDI and installed by Skoda only for Superb Estate version. After some time to observe the oil consumption and the oil low level warnings the decision was made by Czech manufacturer to replace the oil pump while the local dealer refused to accept any correction on warranty.

From the repair I experienced no problem at all, but still I top the oil level with not more than 300 ml for 15.000 km. Oil that remain after regular maintenance.

Additionally I mention that I use only Castrol SLX Professional Powerflow Long Life III 5W30 or newer version Castrol EDGE Professional 5W30. My 2010 Superb has now 62k km and no oil consumption issues.

Edited by safari hunter
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You mentioned that it sometimes has a lumpy idle, so I would look at cleaning or replacing the PCV. That sort of mileage is about right for the PCV to be either broken or choked up with sludge. However, I would expect high fuel consumption with this issue rather than oil consumption. This is a known problem on the 2.0 TFSI so might be an issue on the 1.8.

If there is no smoke screen from the exhaust and no obvious oil leak, you do have to wonder where the oil is going!

As others have said, that needs to be looked at ASAP as its likely to be damaging things.

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Either Positive Crankcase Ventilation or Pressure Control Valve depending on what you read.

Clogged/faulty PCV's seem to have been a bugbear for 2.0 TFSI's and now for the TSI units too, it appears.

My car was looked at by my local dealer yesterday. They disassembled and cleaned the PCV system and could find no fault. They then levelled and weighed the amount of oil in the car. I will return to them having covered circa 300km and they will weigh the oil again to determine consumption. I do not know what th eNext step, will be replacement piston rings, in accordance with the Audi/Skoda TSB's. No charge so far - usual good service from my dealer.

Thanks for your replies - I'll update the post next week when the oil gets weighed again.

Justin.

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An oil pump is a fully internal part of the engine, and I see no reason why a faulty oil pump can cause this problem, If the oil pump has excessively high wear and oil is leaking from shaft it can only go back into the sump, if bad will not provide correct oil pressure.

Rings if these are worn enough you will get excessive blue smoke from the exhaust.

Any problem with crankcase breathers will either cause oil to leak externally or into the inlet manifold again and cause excessive blue smoke from exhaust.

Retired M.V. Technician.

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An oil pump is a fully internal part of the engine, and I see no reason why a faulty oil pump can cause this problem.

Absolutely, you're right there is no connection so far, but things changed after. I believe that oil pump was replaced due to frequent false oil level warnings that required no oil to complete the level. It was a desynchronization of the oil level sensor that becomes inactive when the engine pass 4000 rpm and the pump increase the oil pressure.

The oil consumption problem appeared for not more that 5000 km and disappeared after the oil pump has been changed.

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Edited by safari hunter
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Absolutely, you're right there is no connection so far, but things changed after. I believe that oil pump was replaced due to frequent false oil level warnings that required no oil to complete the level. It was a desynchronization of the oil level sensor that becomes inactive when the engine pass 4000 rpm and the pump increase the oil pressure.

The oil consumption problem appeared for not more that 5000 km and disappeared after the oil pump has been changed.

One question.... When does it hit -1.5 degrees in Liberia? (4th photograph)

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'Freak weather, I guess' - I'm happy to stick with that explanation!

Intrigued to see the oil pump location in the 1.8tsi - post was worth it just for that.

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If you want to see what is where on the TSI engine - in this case the US version of the 2.0TSI - download the VW Self-Study Program for that engine in the link below. It is well worth reading.

http://files.engineering.com/download.aspx?folder=4188e34f-2b48-49fa-9c9d-e2ed7ac676a3&file=VW.COM_2.0L_TSI_Turbo_SSP_824803.pdf

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  • 1 month later...

Hi,

Just an update.

The car went into my local dealer (Grey Gables) who carried checked out the PCV system and then did an oil consumption test, which, as expected, did show that the car was using excessive oil.

Following correspondance with Skoda they recommended that the pistons be changed. Skoda have agreed to pay half the costs (total cost circa £2.5k).

The car will be going in next week.

Thumbs up to Grey Gables, who have been excellent throughout, as usual.

Thanks,

Justin.

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  • 1 month later...

Just an update.

The car had replacement pistons/conrods fitted etc along with two new water pumps and a new clutch fitted by my dealer (who remain excellent). I paid for half of the £3k bill.

Two days later the car started to hesitate and run rough, before cutting out. The dealer came out with a replacement car and recovered my car from the side of the road.

After a day or so, they advised that the timing chain had slipped due to tensioner failure - which seems to be known issue Stateside where these engines are more commonly used to cover reasonable mileages. VAG have issued a couple of TSB's regarding TSI engine tensioner failure over there and have changed the tensioner - it looks like it affects early TSI engines. My car now has the revised tensioner fitted and a new chain etc. etc.

Skoda UK suggest that this is a wear and tear item. I am arguing that as the neither the tensioner or the chain are serviceable items they should be fit for the life of the vehicle, which should be considerably longer than 75k. I have also suggested it is a known issue/design fault with their early engines that they should address.

Waiting on a call back.

My faith in all things VAG is currently at a new low, having just had the head gasket let go on our 3 year old VW, just two weeks out of warranty and with 20k on the clock. Will be going back to Honda at this rate.

Justin.

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Skoda UK suggest that this is a wear and tear item. I am arguing that as the neither the tensioner or the chain are serviceable items they should be fit for the life of the vehicle, which should be considerably longer than 75k. I have also suggested it is a known issue/design fault with their early engines that they should address.

Below is the main content of one of the Technical Bulletins. Note the reference to a "reinforced" tensioner introduced in 2010. Doesn't sound like a wear and tear item to me!

Technical product information

Transaction No.: 2024485/5

Damage of timing chain tensioner

Release date: 27-Jun-2011

Customer statement / workshop findings

Engine cannot be started, the Check warning lamp is on.

In the engine CU, the following fault is stored:

00022 P0016 CMP Sensor -G40 Engine Speed (RPM) Sensor -G28 Incorrect allocation;

00808 P0328 Knock Sensor 1-G61 Circuit High.

Technical background

Because of the defective function of the timing chain tensioner, the timing chain may get too loose during the start causing a valve timing change. This may result in a contact of valves with pistons.

Production change

Reinforced timing chain tensioner – new part 06H 109 467 T.

It was introduced to series production in CW 20, 2010.

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After a day or so, they advised that the timing chain had slipped due to tensioner failure - which seems to be known issue Stateside where these engines are more commonly used to cover reasonable mileages. VAG have issued a couple of TSB's regarding TSI engine tensioner failure over there and have changed the tensioner - it looks like it affects early TSI engines. My car now has the revised tensioner fitted and a new chain etc. etc.

What damage did the engine suffer when the timing chain slipped, and what was the bill for the subsequent repair?

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What damage did the engine suffer when the timing chain slipped, and what was the bill for the subsequent repair?

I have not been advised of any damage. The engine did run for about half a mile, albeit very reluctant to rev and with a lumpy idle.

Camchain and tensioner replacement bill was £500.00 inc VAT.

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That was fortunate! And interesting to know the cost of cam chain and tensioner replacement since it hasn't previously been posted on Briskoda.

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  • 2 months later...

So they stripped your engine to do the pistons then the timing slips and they wanted to bill you for it again?

Did they take the pistons out through the bottom of did the head come off, if the head came off I would kick up if they've hit you for another £500 on top of the £1500

Sorry chaps but after my Passat started to act like a 300k miles car after only 70k I have to question where the quality has gone,

I feel for you Justin I really do, I'll have to think long and hard before I consider another VAG car, today the dealer I just bought the Vauxhall from offered without question or complaint to renew all my discs and pads, as it was once it'd been on the ramp for it's test the only thing worn was the front pads, could you imagine getting a VAG dealer to act in this way....oh I'm sorry sir but you must've driven home with your foot on the brake all the way, that Passat has ruined what could've been a new VAG car for me every three years, their loss not mine.

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I've read the above with interest, my Yeti is currently in the dealers and the head is being sent to a "specialist" following a timing chain slip which has left marks on the pistons... I've had so many issues with this car and the Seat Leon I had before that I shall not be going anywhere near a VAG vehicle again. It's a shame as the Yeti has been a nice car to own in a lot of ways but 50k and 3.5 years old I don't expect these sorts of issues.

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I've read the above with interest, my Yeti is currently in the dealers and the head is being sent to a "specialist" following a timing chain slip which has left marks on the pistons... I've had so many issues with this car and the Seat Leon I had before that I shall not be going anywhere near a VAG vehicle again. It's a shame as the Yeti has been a nice car to own in a lot of ways but 50k and 3.5 years old I don't expect these sorts of issues.

Well said that man and that's exactly how I got to feel in the end not only for my own experience but the experience of others on the net and some who work with me, they tell you a modded oil pump was fitted to the 2.0 TDi engines after 2006 but I know of at least two 57 plate Passats that still died due to the pump failure and both had chassis numbers that said they were modded cars, this was my main reason for getting rid of mine as it seems to happen mostly around 75k and mine wasn't far off that mileage,

Anyone who doesn't know about this have a dip into the Superb 1 section and you'll find members who suffered this in 06-08 PD engined cars, one guy I knew had it fail twice in his Superb, the first time it happened he was able to avoid instant death of the engine, the second time we never saw the car again.

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