Hi Folks,

 

I'm hoping this is a lot simpler than I'm being led to believe.

 

I have a Skoda Octavia VRS Mk iii Petrol Estate (2016). The car hit 100,000 back in May and I needed to get a replacement clutch, flywheel and thermostat so I booked it in to a local garage for the service and the extra work.

 

About 500 miles after I picked the car up the engine oil light came on so I check the oil level and it was on the minimum mark. I topped it up (5w30) and then about 500 miles later I had the same thing.

 

6000 miles later and I'm having to put in about 1 litre ever 1000 miles (I believe the acceptable consumption level for oil on these is 1 litre to every 10,000 miles).

 

I spoke to the garage and they had the car in. They've said they can't find any oil leaks, the oil isn't entering the coolant system and there's no indication of any gasket leaks. There's no smoke coming out the back end and the engine is running within temperature guides (no higher than 110 degrees centigrade). There's also no impact on performance.

 

During the conversation with the garage they told me they used 0w40 oil. My understanding was that the oil supposed to be used was 5w30. I've spent hours reading about the differences and so far as I understand it it's to do with the viscosity of the oil at cold and then when the engine is running at temperature. So on 5w30 - the 5 is the viscosity of the oil at cold and the 30 is the viscosity of the oil when the engine is running at temperature. The w indicates 'Winter'.

 

I've spoken to Skoda themselves and they can't actually / won't tell me which oil I'm supposed to use (0w30 0w40 5w30 5w40). They've given me the spec as VW50200.

 

My question is this. Will 0W40 burn off faster than the others which is why I'm having to top up so much or is there likely to be a different problem? As I said, I've always used 5w30 and never experienced the issue before. It happened at the time of the service / gearbox change.

 

Hopefully someone will be able to give me a helping hand with this because the dealerships and garages are all conflicting on their advice and Skoda can't give me a clear answer!

Edited 9 September, 20241 yr by SkodaAndyVRS

0w30 will be the thinnest

5w40 will be the thickest

 

From what I remember at college, there's hydrocarbon chains that expand when they get hot in the oil.

So you can have it thin for when it's cold and get around the engine for max protection, but not get even thinner when hot, like most liquids would. The higher the second number, the thicker it's acts.

 

As for yours starting right when worked on, just way to coincidental... But if no one can see anything, that's a bit awkward.

Welcome.

@SkodaAndyVRS  I wonder if they actually used 0w 20 FS IV.   As for the engines later than yours. 

?

Who did you speak to at Skoda. Is that Skoda CZ, UK, a Master Tech or Customer Services?   Customer Services know nothing. 

 

0.5 litres in 1,000 km, 621 miles, so 1 litre in 1,242 miles.

It is not acceptable just because VW Group said may use as much.

UK, commuting, no extreme conditions or speeds. not towing over the Alps in High Season.  They have said the same for decades. 

 

 

The oil that should be used with the 2.0 TSI Euro 5 or 6 is VW 504 00 / 507 for fixed or variable servicing.

That might well be 0w 30 FS III or 5w 30 FS III,  maybe the 0w 40 was to that spec.

 

There could be VW502 00 used for Fixed Servicing, Oil & Filter changes.   Usually 5w 40 FS.   Maybe the 0w 40 was to this spec.

 

I doubt the oil used had anything to do with excessive oil consumption.    If to the VW Specs for Fixed or the Long Life for Variable. 

Euro 5 or Euro 6 TSI,s.

 

Is there enough of the oil going in, Top of the Crosshatch on the Dip Stick when the engine oil is at the Normal Operating Temperature.  That is the indicated 90*oC or so

Parked on the flat, engine off and dipped after a few minutes.  So 4 or 5 minutes.

 

 

Edited 9 September, 20241 yr by Ootohere

The VW 508 00 / 509 00 so 0w 20 FS IV is not for the 2016 or 2017 TSI,s.

Stick with the VW502 00 Fixed servicing / oil changes or the VW 504 00 / 507 00 for Fixed or Variable. 

Edited 9 September, 20241 yr by Ootohere

I've been using 0w40 castrol gtx for the last few months in my 2013 petrol Vrs with 180k miles. Was recommended on the castrol findcaroil website. Fuel economy had a marked increase, from around 34 average to 38-39. Oil usage hasn't changed at all either. I have the check manually anyway cos my oil level sensor is bust, and I'm not paying £130 for a new one! 

On 09/09/2024 at 14:41, SkodaAndyVRS said:

Hi Folks,

 

I'm hoping this is a lot simpler than I'm being led to believe.

 

I have a Skoda Octavia VRS Mk iii Petrol Estate (2016). The car hit 100,000 back in May and I needed to get a replacement clutch, flywheel and thermostat so I booked it in to a local garage for the service and the extra work.

 

About 500 miles after I picked the car up the engine oil light came on so I check the oil level and it was on the minimum mark. I topped it up (5w30) and then about 500 miles later I had the same thing.

 

6000 miles later and I'm having to put in about 1 litre ever 1000 miles (I believe the acceptable consumption level for oil on these is 1 litre to every 10,000 miles).

 

I spoke to the garage and they had the car in. They've said they can't find any oil leaks, the oil isn't entering the coolant system and there's no indication of any gasket leaks. There's no smoke coming out the back end and the engine is running within temperature guides (no higher than 110 degrees centigrade). There's also no impact on performance.

 

During the conversation with the garage they told me they used 0w40 oil. My understanding was that the oil supposed to be used was 5w30. I've spent hours reading about the differences and so far as I understand it it's to do with the viscosity of the oil at cold and then when the engine is running at temperature. So on 5w30 - the 5 is the viscosity of the oil at cold and the 30 is the viscosity of the oil when the engine is running at temperature. The w indicates 'Winter'.

 

I've spoken to Skoda themselves and they can't actually / won't tell me which oil I'm supposed to use (0w30 0w40 5w30 5w40). They've given me the spec as VW50200.

 

My question is this. Will 0W40 burn off faster than the others which is why I'm having to top up so much or is there likely to be a different problem? As I said, I've always used 5w30 and never experienced the issue before. It happened at the time of the service / gearbox change.

 

Hopefully someone will be able to give me a helping hand with this because the dealerships and garages are all conflicting on their advice and Skoda can't give me a clear answer!

The VAG threshold which should be in you manual somewhere is 1Litre per 1000km (600miles) but no one believes that is a good threshold.

 

1 litre per 1000 miles in your case is a lot irrespective. Funny how you've just noticed that. Had you never ever topped up before, as that seems weird.

 

If there are no leaks and no cross contamination in coolant, your really only left with pistons rings or turbo with that amount.  What has your oil change frequency been like through the 100k miles?  VW 502.00 is the fixed interval 12 months / 10k miles max regime.  I prefer this, there are a lot of oils that will meet VW 502.00 almost all being 0-40w and 5w-40w.  I try not to run to 10k miles, depending on driving duty cycle I'd say 6 to 8k is better but it is a subjective opinion to some extent. Your car, it's well out of warranty, you do what you like. 

 

If it is an internal engine burning issue it will be hard to resolve regardless of the oil spec or change interval now. As it is you'll be more than changing the whole oil capacity inside 5,000 miles anyway! Eventually, not immediately though,  this will kill the engine I'm afraid. 

VW Group have said thr same for decades about 'May use 0.5 litres / 1,000 km / 621 miles.'  condition dependent, for all engines 3,4,5.6.8.10.12 cylinder petrol or diesel 44 kW up and 2.8 litre oil capacity up.  It is just to cover their arse.    You are not in extreme weather towing over Alpine Passes while just keeping to the speed limits solo in the UK. 

@TheClient

 

Thanks, that’s what I feared.

 

The service intervals were every 10k and I check the oil regularly (every 2-3k). The problem only started occurring at 100k.

 

The turbo has been checked so it looks like its piston rings then…. Ouch.

 

Time for a new car I think.

2 hours ago, SkodaAndyVRS said:

@TheClient

 

Thanks, that’s what I feared.

 

The service intervals were every 10k and I check the oil regularly (every 2-3k). The problem only started occurring at 100k.

 

The turbo has been checked so it looks like its piston rings then…. Ouch.

 

Time for a new car I think.

Mmm. That all sounds reasonable. Maybe try a new fine oil separator / pcv. Get a genuine latest edition. Around £90. Still sounds like a lot for that but some report high usage with that failure and they definitely do not last for life.