Increased Oil Consumption Problem (2010 T5 Cali 180 bhp)

[Haves1979]

I would question what "regular servicing" means on a vehicle that has only done 30K and is presumably at least 5 years old? If the vehicle is on the VW long-life service plan, a mileage of 30K might mean it's only had one oil-change service.

I suspect that an annual oil change (regardless of low-mileage) would mitigate most of the issues. I use the same regime for oil changes that I do for baths, "Once a year whether I need it or not".

It has been serviced 4 times 9k 2014, 12k 2016, 19.5k 2017, 28k 2020 and is a 2011 61.

 

[2into1]

It has been serviced 4 times 9k 2014, 12k 2016, 19.5k 2017, 28k 2020 and is a 2011 61.

The servicing is a bit of a red herring here. We don't know why some egr coolers fall apart and throw engine wrecking grit into the cylinders, but if it has occurred on a van, changing the oil every 8k won't save it. It might slow it down, but the engine will still die.
Changing or blanking the EGR / cooler could stop the situation getting worse (with flushes and oil changes) but if the cooler is falling apart, changing the oil every month won't stop it damaging the engine.

 

[willwander]

It has been serviced 4 times 9k 2014, 12k 2016, 19.5k 2017, 28k 2020 and is a 2011 61.

It’s a 2011, 180?
Don’t bother, find yourself another van

 

[Maxx]

Hi, is anybody able to advise if a 2010 T28 is fitted with the engine that suffers these failures? My sister is about to purchase a conversion based on a 2010 T28 and I am now very concerned for her having seen this thread.

 

[WelshGas]

Hi, is anybody able to advise if a 2010 T28 is fitted with the engine that suffers these failures? My sister is about to purchase a conversion based on a 2010 T28 and I am now very concerned for her having seen this thread.

Only if it has the 180 hp, biturbo engine.

 

[Maxx]

Only if it has the 180 hp, biturbo engine.

Thank-you. I am very grateful.

 

[Haves1979]

What I dont get is that if this the problem is that if this problem is so widespread, why do early bttdi engines vans continue to sell so quickly?

Also does an oil analysis provide an indication of wear so is this a prudent ask for a prospective buyer?

 

[WelshGas]

What I dont get is that if this the problem is that if this problem is so widespread, why do early bttdi engines vans continue to sell so quickly?

Also does an oil analysis provide an indication of wear so is this a prudent ask for a prospective buyer?

There was a problem with some 2010/2011 180's. Most were sorted under warranty as they were high milage commercials. Some were California or Converted vehicles with low annual mileages and so still around and having the problem at 10 yrs old and 60k miles or so. VW are refusing to do anything with these vehicles.
As long as you are fully aware of the problem and purchase in full knowledge then they are excellent vehicles.
An engine replacement costs about £7000. Negotiate on price, share the risk with the seller?

 

[Arie]

Is there any indication on how may vehicles are affected, and precautions you can take to avoid this? I'm about to pull the trigger on a 180 btdi with 30k, and regular servicing and wondering if there is a way to avoid issues. It has not needed any additional oil between services and the last one was 8.5k milesbetween service so hope it's ok.

I've read quite a few threads now and seems a bit of a gamble, but this seems pretty solid. That said, my local vw specialist has said dont touch any 180btdi, which seems excessive...

indication how many: to much. read the German forum, then you’ll never buy a 180HP
Pull the trigger: don’t
Way to avoid issues: buy a 140HP
Don’t take the risk and ask yourself every single day: how long will the engine last

 

[WelshGas]

indication how many: to much. read the German forum, then you’ll never buy a 180HP
Pull the trigger: don’t
Way to avoid issues: buy a 140HP
Don’t take the risk and ask yourself every single day: how long will the engine last

I Disagree. Compared to the numbers sold, a small proportion. Post 2011 an even smaller number and the majority are low milage.
There is nothing wrong with purchasing one as long as you are informed and aware. Why cripple your enjoyment of the vehicle by buying an underpowered 140 which many get chipped to provide more power, which has its own problems.

 

[Arie]

I Disagree. Compared to the numbers sold, a small proportion. Post 2011 an even smaller number and the majority are low milage.
There is nothing wrong with purchasing one as long as you are informed and aware. Why cripple your enjoyment of the vehicle by buying an underpowered 140 which many get chipped to provide more power, which has its own problems.

Agree,
Poster asks a question and we all can react with our own opinion.
At last the poster makes it’s own decision.
That’s what I like about this forum

Hoher Ölverbrauch T5 Multivan 132kw

Hier mal die Fortsetzung aus dem Thema http://www.t5-board.de/threads/beurteilung-des-angebotes-highline-2010.92042/page-3 Kurzversion. Am Mittwoch den 16.01.2015 habe ich meinen Multivan 132Kw 4Motion KM 109500 EZ 05/2011 abgeholt. Von der Besichtigung bis zur Probefahrt, über Kommunikation...

tx-board.de

 

[Blueeyedboy]

I’ve owned two currently still do. No issues at all. I have it serviced every year regardless of how many miles recently serviced after 4.5k. Some have had issues but it’s the same for all manufacturing depends at that time of assembly. I know of issues on T6 204’s. If your buying an end of T5 2015 likely is that most issues have been resolved.
Mines 2015 and has been impeccable.

 

[sidepod]

I guess it comes down to your personal perception of risk/cost etc.

If it were me and I liked the van then I’d buy it and just fix the problem with whatever was required.
In the grand scheme of things it’s not exactly a life changing sum of money.

 

[Haves1979]

This is a proper rabbit hole and there is a load of info to read. I agree it's nota life changing amount but it is an awful lot.

I've spoken to a local VW specialist who has said that they have replaced the engines of 5 vehicles in 12 months, not all were high milers. My local VW van service department sounded hugely sheepish and has told me they have had 3 in 12 months. Worryingly they said that the issue presents very quickly, one minute you'll be fine next you'll be using a litre every 5 hundred miles.

Found this on the darkside development website, apologies if already posted:

2.0 BiTDi Engines. What to know!

The idea of a 2.0 BiTDI Transporter or Amarok sounds great, and with quoted figures from the factory round the 180bhp mark, it sounds like the perfect platform to start with

www.darksidedevelopments.co.uk

 

[AlanC]

Is there any indication on how may vehicles are affected, and precautions you can take to avoid this? I'm about to pull the trigger on a 180 btdi with 30k, and regular servicing and wondering if there is a way to avoid issues. It has not needed any additional oil between services and the last one was 8.5k milesbetween service so hope it's ok.

I've read quite a few threads now and seems a bit of a gamble, but this seems pretty solid. That said, my local vw specialist has said dont touch any 180btdi, which seems excessive...

I own a 2010 Cali with the 180 bhp engine and was affected by the oil consumption issue.
The problem was restricted to engines built between 2010 to sometime in 2011 and VW knew all about it.

The only way to check a 180 engine is to look at the plate on the Exhaust Gas Regulator (EGR). The EGR is located at the front of the engine behind the radiator and has the black oil filter mounted on it. The plate is to the right of the oil filter and has a part number on it and a date. If the part number has a suffix letter then the ERG has been replaced and all may well be OK. If there is no suffix letter, then the EGR is an original one and I suggest you walk away.

If the Cali is at a VW dealer, they can search the VW website to see if the engine has been replaced by a VW dealer. It won't show up if it has been replaced by an independent company though.

Hope that helps.

Alan

 

[larrylamb]

Posted today on the FB forum page by a member with a 2014 Cali.

"Just got the amazing news that my VW California needs a new engine at 42k
So sad that VW know all about the problem yet only offer a 50% good will discount
My Cali is a 2.0l bitdi engine 180DSG 4 Motion and has only done 42k!!!!
I have owned this vehicle since new and serviced it religiously above and beyond the recommended service intervals and VW want me to pay £5k towards a new engine
Yes it is 6 years old but this is a problem that VW are perfectly aware of and they don’t recall the vehicles.
I have also had to pay for my own oil analysis from Millers oils and pay VW for two oil changes to confirm that it’s using 1.2l of oil every 1000 mi"

 

[2into1]

The problem was restricted to engines built between 2010 to sometime in 2011

I'm afraid that's simply not true. There may have been additional weaknesses with those early ones (a weak block has been discussed) but there are plenty of examples well outside that date range reported on the Facebook page.

 

[Perfectos]

Baby and bath water comes to mind, I personally would buy a 180, in the full knowledge that there may be a problem or a future problem, I would buy it with eyes wide open, at the right price (or walk) firstly change the EGR to prevent further potential issue, use it enjoy it, if the worst happens and you have been cute in the negotiations when buying you will have a tidy sum put to one side to rectify any potential and future issues, remembering that the vehicle without a serviceable motor will still have a residual value. A Cali with a new engine will provide 100k motoring with no major issue or significant cost IMO
If I could not secure a decent price I would not commit and walk away.
Buyer be aware and negotiate hard with facts in hand !

 

[sidepod]

The key to this is a Cali is (usually) for life not the normal 3 year deal. That puts a whole different perspective on it.
My big sis has one of these so it may well end up in my stable

 

[Haves1979]

Can I ask what the amount of oil is from top to bottom of the dip stick?

Also has anyone tried to take out warranty that would cover this type of failure.

 

[TripleBee]

Can I ask what the amount of oil is from top to bottom of the dip stick?

Roughly 1 liter.

 

[willwander]

The problem was restricted to engines built between 2010 to sometime in 2011 and VW knew all about it.

Not true. Just a lot of people in denial.

 

[willwander]

Can I ask what the amount of oil is from top to bottom of the dip stick?

About 1000 miles worth...if you’re lucky

 

[WelshGas]

Not true. Just a lot of people in denial.

Disagree, actually very few compared with the number of vehicles manufactured.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Posted today on the FB forum page by a member with a 2014 Cali.

"Just got the amazing news that my VW California needs a new engine at 42k
So sad that VW know all about the problem yet only offer a 50% good will discount
My Cali is a 2.0l bitdi engine 180DSG 4 Motion and has only done 42k!!!!
I have owned this vehicle since new and serviced it religiously above and beyond the recommended service intervals and VW want me to pay £5k towards a new engine
Yes it is 6 years old but this is a problem that VW are perfectly aware of and they don’t recall the vehicles.
I have also had to pay for my own oil analysis from Millers oils and pay VW for two oil changes to confirm that it’s using 1.2l of oil every 1000 mi"

I was just about to quote that from the post from the Facebook Group which appeared yesterday.
Poor guy...
£10k bill in total

@WelshGas I find it disappointing that you can’t admit there’s a real problem with this engine. It’s well documented and there’s a Facebook Group documenting the issues across a wide range of years with the 180bi-turbo.

We need to be fair with new people and admit there’s a potentially expense issue.
That’s not to say I wouldn’t buy one, but it would have to be at the right price.