Increased Oil Consumption Problem (2010 T5 Cali 180 bhp)

[Jayne P]

We looked at that exact year / model as a conversion base, but purchased our California Beach instead. The guy who was selling the one we looked at had had a replacement engine fitted 6 months before we viewed. The original quote from VW for replacement was around £9k, but he argued with VW and he ended up paying £2k in total.

 

[Jayne P]

Hi Thanks for your reply do you remember where this guy was from was it a trade or private sale that you looked at ? Thanks Jayne

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Still for sale:

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[briwy]

For what it's worth the VW dealer in Sheffeild uses uses these people who apparently have a good reputation if you decide to go down the refurb route rather than a new engine,

Rotherham Engine Supplies Ltd

E.S Ltd has been trading for well in excess of 20 years. Originally based in Rotherham and trading as rotherham engine supplies Ltd.

www.theenginespecialists.co.uk

 

[robob123]

I’m really pleased to have entered the world of Cali ownership with a 2012 SE. Now worried to find it’s using oil . Good news atm magnatec is £18 for 4L in Halfords!

 

[GSX1300R]

If all the engines are basically the same why is it that it appears to be the 180 that gives the problems. What difference apart from the twin turbo is there.And has anyone ever had the same problem with the 140 engine.

 

[briwy]

Different EGR valves as I understand it.

 

[GSX1300R]

Different EGR valves as I understand it.

But what would the EGR valve have to do with increased oil consumption....

 

[2into1]

If all the engines are basically the same why is it that it appears to be the 180 that gives the problems. What difference apart from the twin turbo is there.And has anyone ever had the same problem with the 140 engine.

The egr valve is known to fail internally on some 180s. A different valve is used on the 140s. The failure of the egr means the engine breathes a diet of carborundum when the internals of the cooler part corrodes and disintegrates.
There was an earlier separate issue with the 2010/11 engine block.
The design of the 180 egr valve (and cooler) has been upgraded several times, known as 'no suffix', /A, /C and finally /D.
It's a controversial issue here , as vw have never formally accepted there was a problem and the available evidence doesn't satisfy everyone, so you need to read what's out there and decide for yourself

 

[GSX1300R]

Thank god we bought the 140.....

 

[GSX1300R]

Thank god we bought the 140.....

And for the sake of a hundred quid it knackers the engine....

 

[clarinetbcn]

But what would the EGR valve have to do with increased oil consumption....

I think you might want to thank @2into1 for saving you from reading the last 300 posts of this thread which were about...the egr valve and cooler ;-)

 

[WelshGas]

And for the sake of a hundred quid it knackers the engine....

Don't know where you get the £100 from. Upto £800 to supply and fit the EGR on the 180, if that is the ultimate cause as there are many post 2012 180's unaffected.

 

[Blueeyedboy]

Reading on the Facebook group they are saying you must fit egr ‘D’ to resolve future issues. Apparently particles break off and damage engine. VW will charge in excess of 1500 to do this. Maybe it’s partly down to how people are using vehicles, conditions etc. I believe they are trying to take this to VW commercial in a bid to get them changed FOC.

 

[GSX1300R]

Don't know where you get the £100 from. Upto £800 to supply and fit the EGR on the 180, if that is the ultimate cause as there are many post 2012 180's unaffected.
I was talking about the price for the part not the £700 VW charge to fit it...

 

[WelshGas]

EGR valve + Cooler needs to be replaced, not just the EGR valve.

 

[2into1]

EGR valve + Cooler needs to be replaced, not just the EGR valve.

Yes. I believe its a combined design, which is why it gets called all sorts of names and adds to the confusion. I think I'm right in saying its the part the oil filter screws onto.

 

[robob123]

Presumably no point changing the valve if you’re already using oil, as damage done??

 

[WelshGas]

Presumably no point changing the valve if you’re already using oil, as damage done??

Unfortunately Correct.

 

[robob123]

If Cali isn’t doing loads of miles and oil usage is bearable is there any reason not to just keep feeding it? There’s zero smoke and it runs as smooth as silk.

 

[2into1]

If Cali isn’t doing loads of miles and oil usage is bearable is there any reason not to just keep feeding it? There’s zero smoke and it runs as smooth as silk.

Tricky one. I know a situation can arise where diesel is passing the rings and actually maintaines the oil level, but the oil becomes so diluted and non - lubricating. I think the Facebook group, whilst far from perfect, is the best route for advice.

 

[clarinetbcn]

If Cali isn’t doing loads of miles and oil usage is bearable is there any reason not to just keep feeding it? There’s zero smoke and it runs as smooth as silk.

DPF fouling leading to limp mode.

 

[GSX1300R]

It sounds very much like that once you detect high oil usage it’s too late to do anything about it and changing the valve would just be a waste of time and money...Just another problem from a big manufacturer that doesn’t show up until WELL after the warranty has expired.

 

[AlanC]

Yes, you can keep topping up the oil, I did, but eventually, the oil consumption will increase as the engine continues to wear, the particulate filter in the exhaust will become blocked and won't be able to regenerate and the engine will go into limp mode.

May take some months, but it will happen eventually.

A new base engine fitted by VW is in the order of £7.5K, may well have gone up by now, or a decent engine recon is slightly cheaper. One thing that is vital is that the latest EGR assembly is fitted to the new/reconned engine, and you must replace the DPF as it will be blocked up.

Either way, not a cheap job, once done though, your oil consumption will be reduced dramatically (probably to nil as mine has) and you will have confidence in your Cali once again.

One minor advantage of the VW route is that the engine number does not change. The VW dealer sources parts directly from VW Germany and they assign the original number to the new engine, so no need to change the V5C details. Parts supplied by VW specialists are sourced from TPS stock, so the engine number will change.

I also got the service interval changed so my van is set to 10K miles or 1 year, whichever come soonest. Way better, to my mind, than the 20K mile 2-year regime.

Alan

 

[WelshGas]

Interesting Letter from a Swedish Friend illustrating that VW seems to treat other Countries differently to the UK.

This is the story of my old VW California. The car is of annual model 2014, manufactured in the second half of 2013. It is CFCA engine, Bi-turbo, 180 horsepower, DSG, four-wheel drive and electric diff-lock. I don’t know the EGR-cooler type. Around 83000 miles.

During Eva's and my annual long trip, this year 18 countries and 8000 miles, over 6 weeks in both easten and westen Europe I noticed an increase in oil consumption. At the end of the journey> 1L per 620 miles. It was a fantastic trip, with the exception of the problem of high oil consumption.

When we came back to Sweden again, I contacted my local VW dealer (Motorcentralen in Umea). There it was declared that the car is indeed five years old and has covered lots of miles and all guarantees/warranties are expired, but they would examine the possibilities of support in the event of a repair. But first, an oil consumption test would be done. The engine would be filled up with a weighted amount of oil, the engine is then sealed , and then I would run 621 miles. Thereafter, the remaining oil would be drained out and weighed to calculate consumption accurately.
I did the test and it calculated a consumption of 1.53L/621 miles = 3 times higher than acceptable consumption.

My local dealer announced that VW-Germany would account for 50% of the cost of a engine replacement , I thought it was OK. After a week, I got a new phone call from the local VW dealer, he had gone through all the history of my California. History has shown that the car was exemplary well kept, all service protocols according to the service plan and all services were performed by the local dealer's garage. With this in mind, the local dealer took responsibility for the remaining 50% of the cost for the engine change.

So I will get a new engine free of charge. Since it will be a engine change I have decided to also mount a new turbo, but of course I have to pay the turbo myself.

This story, I think, has shown that VW-Germany, VW-Sweden and my local dealer (Motorcentralen Umea) have taken full responsibility for the well-known problem of high oil consumption of the CFCA engine and roof problems, without any discussions. Of course, I am very grateful indeed.


Apparently the DPF and sensors are included.

So why is VWUK so difficult and intransigent about helping UK owners?