Oil Comsumption / Engine Problems with 2010/2011 Cali's

[WelshGas]

You could try, as suggested in that article, a higher viscosity engine oil!

 

[BerndRos]

Hi Welsgas.....

I am a dummy at these type of matters....what higher viscosity would you suggest....

Thanks

 

[WelshGas]

Mid way down 2nd page.

Take it off the longlife service the oil may be to thin, change it to standard 12000 mile oil and report back.. I had this on another car that offers two variants of oil for the engine (A 2.7CRD) A 5w40 fully synthetic and a 10w40 semi synthetic.. on the 5w40, I did 1100 miles and **Poof** I nearly ran the engine dry, there wasn't a drop on the stick.. I then switched over to 10w40 semi synthetic and all is back to normal - haven't had to touch it for ages as well...its not burning any. Which it was the was it was when I got it...

So try that and see how you go, it maybe that the tolerences of the engine don't like fully synthetic and a semi synthetic works just as well... Incidentally I swear by Millers Oils after hearing it in a Landy TD5 and it sounded so sweet, not the standard tractor sound...

I'm no expert I'm afraid, so cannot really advise. The normal VW oil is a 5w30.
This may help you come to a decision.
http://askville.amazon.com/difference-5W30-10W30-suggest-switch/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=9577992

 

[briwy]

I agree with taking it off longlife service. Regular oil changes and checks are a must for us.
However I can't see that using a higher viscosity oil will help one bit. If the bores really are worn to that extent then going up a grade won't make any difference.
Welsh Gas's link also suggests checking the turbo oil seal, these are well known to fail if you don't let the engine run for a while after stopping after a hard run (like high speed motorway or climbing) as the the turbo is hot the oil solidifies and carbonises knackering the seals and clogging up the vanes.. Letting the engine tick over for a while after stopping lets the oil cool. One reason why the stop/start is turned off on our Cali.
Worn valve guides and seals are another option. Could even be a faulty head gasket
I certainly wouldn't take a main dealer's word that a complete engine is required (big earner for them I guess) without a specialist second opinion.
Picking up on another thread re fuels, again this is why the major suppliers are more expensive than supermarkets, because their fuel is better and helps to prevent engine wear.

 

[Bearonwheels]

In relation to the post above, the points about letting the turbo cool is a good one - I,ve seen them go on other turbo diesels and its an expensive part to replace.

My van is due for inspection in 3000 miles, but an oil change in 12000 or so. I'll be having them both done at 3000. But thats more for convenience than anything else - but I can fully accept the logic set out above.

However, on the point of fuel there is absolutely no published evidence from independent sources that oily van is due for inspection in 3000 miles, but an oil change in 12000 or so. I'll be having them both done at 3000.

 

[snowy55]

What happens if you take off the engine oil filler cap on the rocker cove? Does it puff out loads of smoke? If so does the volume of smoke increase if the engine is revved up? If it does all of the above the bores/piston rings are kn@ckered.

 

[BerndRos]

Hmm.....SMOKE happens.....

Over 600 miles today and put half a litre of oil in at lunchtime...no idea where we stand tonight until I check in the morning....bloody terrible weather all day on the road. Dusseldorf to Arese and parked in a car park close by the newly opened Alfa Romeo Museum...20 miles from Monza where I will end up tomorrow afternoon........have emailed my UK dealer with full details of my problem.

 

[BerndRos]

My son sent me this earlier......sums up my engine issues exactly.

 

[Hotel California]

Nice job , is it yours , someone you know or just taken from the internet ...?
Funny but can cause some irritation by the " green thinkers"

As for me i got a forum sticker on the side ...on the awning actually ....looks much

 

[TomC]

Well not so much a protest as your pic but I've ordered Scooby Doo Mystery Machine transfers to put on the side of mine. For the kids. Unfortunately I have the transfers but no van as doesn't arrive until end of January.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Alan]

View attachment 10818


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

A clean looking van as well

 

[sidepod]

Is the piston ring fault a genuine problem then?

 

[sidepod]

If there is one thing I can't abide it's a motor that uses oil!!
Has anyone ever had fuel pump seal issues? Is the fuel pump on the end of the cam? Perhaps a faulty drive shaft seal allowing engine oil to leak into the pump?

At least with the kind of consumption quoted in this thread there is little point in changing the oil, it's on a constant refresh.

Surely if altering the oil viscosity is a viable fix then VW would recommend such a work around.
That was always a trick to sell a car with a knackered engine. Put nice thick oil in so it sounds quiet.

The T6 should be free of this problem.
May stick with the old T4, 365,000 km and not a drop used between services.

 

[motacyclist]

Is the piston ring fault a genuine problem then?

I think we would have heard of it on here if it was.

I would put a smily face on mine!

 

[Barryjm]

I would consider something fairly discrete that shows hockey, karate, mountain biking which represents the sports my wife and I do. Need to be "arti" though and probably in black on my silver van. Never really seen anything though and must be reversible... Of course


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[BerndRos]

Looks like it's a real problem.....am waiting on VWCS for mine to go into the garage for clarification as to why I have the same issues as that van. Looks like I need a new engine at 50000 miles.

 

[GrannyJen]

Looks like it's a real problem.....am waiting on VWCS for mine to go into the garage for clarification as to why I have the same issues as that van. Looks like I need a new engine at 50000 miles.

Good luck with that,

I hope it's good news ... but it sounds serious

 

[MadMechanic]

Is the piston ring fault a genuine problem then?

Yes this is a genuine fault, have a read on the T4 forum about it, I assume the reason we do not hear much about it on here is because it does not happen until you hit around 50-80k miles and most Cali's are low mileage. If my mind serves me correct the problem was on 2010-2011 vans? I may be wrong

 

[jts46]

Looks like it's a real problem.....am waiting on VWCS for mine to go into the garage for clarification as to why I have the same issues as that van. Looks like I need a new engine at 50000 miles.

Sorry to hear about engine. Am having a DMF fitted, van broke down in France

John

 

[johnv]

I think I would have at least spell checked it if I was going to plaster that all over my van

 

[barry]

Local vw van centre is giving away a free wooden sledge with every used van it sells.
Judging by the posts on early engine failure, it might be a well-judged gift ...

 

[WelshGas]

Oops

 

[WelshGas]

If there is one thing I can't abide it's a motor that uses oil!!
Has anyone ever had fuel pump seal issues? Is the fuel pump on the end of the cam? Perhaps a faulty drive shaft seal allowing engine oil to leak into the pump?

At least with the kind of consumption quoted in this thread there is little point in changing the oil, it's on a constant refresh.

Surely if altering the oil viscosity is a viable fix then VW would recommend such a work around.
That was always a trick to sell a car with a knackered engine. Put nice thick oil in so it sounds quiet.

The T6 should be free of this problem.
May stick with the old T4, 365,000 km and not a drop used between services.

You wouldn't have liked the Mazda RX8 then. 1/L per 1000 miles. It was designed to do that. But then the sump only held 3L.

 

[jts46]

I think I would have at least spell checked it if I was going to plaster that all over my van

Wot is spell check, is it sum thin witches du?

John

 

[calicasas]

Dont you just love when dealers/manufacturers don't tell you the whole story?
Ok, so if the oil isn't pooling/puddling under the vehicle, then oil is either burnt or mixing with the water cooling system (Am I missing something?)
Either seals are broken or piston rings cracked right? Is this not fixable? I would like to know, but most importantly, if this is a known fault with this engine who's to say we aren't having this conversation again in a couple of years time with any given engine replacement?
I was at the dealer in Trier this summer with a suspected battery issue.. They were very helpful, but would love to know more...
Hope they sort it out quickly and that VW find it in their conscience to foot the bill....