2019 and up Volkswagen GLI EA888 - blowing smoke/valve stem seals, etc

[Zack1978]

Hi everyone,
In the past few months there have been numerous posts on various social media platforms detailing issues of the GLI engine emitting puffs of blue oil burning smoke upon start up. We are talking about cars with less than 72,000 miles, in some cases less than 20,000 miles.
At this point most of the impacted cars are still under warranty, so of course the owners have reported the issue to the dealer.

As you may have predicted, there has been a wide range of responses from the dealers. It seems that most of the dealers are following the Volkswagen modus operandi of not wanting to fix the issue and claiming "can not duplicate customer concern"......even with video evidence. Some of the dealers have initiated an "oil consumption" test, then claim the car is not losing oil so it's not an issue.

With that said a few dealers have actually attempted to fix the issue. The "fix(s)" have been new valve stem seals, a new head, and in one case a new oil separator. It seems like there is no real answer as to why this is happening. And there does not seem to be a connection to the cars that are "tuned", although that would void the warranty anyway.

This issue is relatively new and I don't predict that it will get better with age. I assume that VW wants to "run out the clock" on the warranties so that can weasel out of fixing the issue.

With all of the above being said, does the collective think this issue might be related to the 0w20 508 requirement? I don't think earlier iterations of this engine had/have the same issue, but they run 5w40.


Any thoughts?

 

[kschachn]

I'm no fan of using a 20-grade oil in my 2020 Tiguan (I use 504 00 instead) but I struggle to see a connection between grade and leaking valve stem seals, the oil separator, and a vague "new head" replacement.

Without additional technical information as to the exact problem this appears to be yet another "thick vs. thin" argument - of which there are plenty already.

 

[Zack1978]

I'm no fan of using a 20-grade oil in my 2020 Tiguan (I use 504 00 instead) but I struggle to see a connection between grade and leaking valve stem seals, the oil separator, and a vague "new head" replacement.

Without additional technical information as to the exact problem this appears to be yet another "thick vs. thin" argument - of which there are plenty already.

Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be a real answer as to why mechanically this is happening. But this is also a company that issued a recall for fuel pumps in these cars that are a potential fire hazard, yet they have no fix for it.

 

[kschachn]

Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be a real answer as to why mechanically this is happening. But this is also a company that issued a recall for fuel pumps in these cars that are a potential fire hazard, yet they have no fix for it.

Again I'm not sure what the relationship is between that and this problem. You're going down the same road where there's no connection to, nor any discussion of the technical aspects of the problem.

Do you own an VW or do you just not like them nor their products? I'm not a fanboy of VW, we bought ours during the pandemic because the local VW dealership had several to chose from and there was 0% financing. Lots of other manufacturers have problems with various systems and components on vehicles, I hesitate to throw them under bridge when compared to anyone else.

 

[Zack1978]

Again I'm not sure what the relationship is between that and this problem. You're going down the same road where there's no connection to, nor any discussion of the technical aspects of the problem.

Do you own an VW or do you just not like them nor their products? I'm not a fanboy of VW, we bought ours during the pandemic because the local VW dealership had several to chose from and there was 0% financing. Lots of other manufacturers have problems with various systems and components on vehicles, I hesitate to throw them under bridge when compared to anyone else.

Yes, I own two including a GLI that could be impacted. I just hate when they try to weasel out of fixing a known problem.

Why would I post about this issue if I didn’t actually own the car? Just to “stir the pot”????

 

[kschachn]

Yes, I own two including a GLI that could be impacted. I just hate when they try to weasel out of fixing a known problem.

Why would I post about this issue if I didn’t actually own the car? Just to “stir the pot”????

People post lots of things on here for lots of reasons.

I don't know. They did extend the warranty for the water pump housing thing that leaked, and I haven't seen the issue you're describing above. Maybe I will. Also maybe I come at it a little differently since I never expected this vehicle to have the same stellar reliability as my two old Toyotas and the Honda. I'd also be slow to ascribe great importance to social media posts since I've also learned that not everyone who posts on such a platform is accurately and honestly describing everything that might be applicable to their situation.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Hi everyone,
In the past few months there have been numerous posts on various social media platforms detailing issues of the GLI engine emitting puffs of blue oil burning smoke upon start up. We are talking about cars with less than 72,000 miles, in some cases less than 20,000 miles.
At this point most of the impacted cars are still under warranty, so of course the owners have reported the issue to the dealer.

As you may have predicted, there has been a wide range of responses from the dealers. It seems that most of the dealers are following the Volkswagen modus operandi of not wanting to fix the issue and claiming "can not duplicate customer concern"......even with video evidence. Some of the dealers have initiated an "oil consumption" test, then claim the car is not losing oil so it's not an issue.

With that said a few dealers have actually attempted to fix the issue. The "fix(s)" have been new valve stem seals, a new head, and in one case a new oil separator. It seems like there is no real answer as to why this is happening. And there does not seem to be a connection to the cars that are "tuned", although that would void the warranty anyway.

This issue is relatively new and I don't predict that it will get better with age. I assume that VW wants to "run out the clock" on the warranties so that can weasel out of fixing the issue.

With all of the above being said, does the collective think this issue might be related to the 0w20 508 requirement? I don't think earlier iterations of this engine had/have the same issue, but they run 5w40.


Any thoughts?

More likely a materials issue with supplier of the valve stem seals. Is this also happening with the Audi variant?

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Yes, I own two including a GLI that could be impacted. I just hate when they try to weasel out of fixing a known problem.

Why would I post about this issue if I didn’t actually own the car? Just to “stir the pot”????

Has your selling VW dealer service department done o.k. for you so far?
Do you have a good relationship with one of the service writers?
I wouldn't let social media whip you into a frenzy if there is no frenzy to be had - where there is just rampant and wild speculation.
I had a guy at my local vdub dealer that was my advocate when I had a lease Jetta. Made me feel like he would have my back if things got dicey.

-Arco

 

[edyvw]

Considering it is happening on proven engine, my money is on supplier issue.

 

[Zack1978]

Considering it is happening on proven engine, my money is on supplier issue.

That’s most likely the issue, I just hope they acknowledge the problem.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

I see the engine uses sintered bronze valve guides. Funny thing my old 100LS with a Merc B engine had worn bronze guides and drank oil faster than I could pour it in..

Possibly with the engine pressurised, there is less carry over oiling and the guides are seeing premature wear, but a young healthy stem seal will keep the oil in the head. Sort of a benefit and a curse. I ran no stem seals on my V8 race heads.
I always think turbo spindle when I hear of a low-ish mileage TC motor puffing smoke - but that is mainly on overrun w/ BOV popped.

-Arco

 

[TiGeo]

A few things. What you think is "a known problem" may actually be v. sporadic in the scheme of all GLIs/ea888.3 made vs. a few that are seeing some blue smoke. Always easy to say thing about how VW won't do this/that to get out of warranty work but unless they can diag the car and see an issue, how can they just fix it if there is nothing they can find wrong? As much as many want a new engine at teh first sign of an issue, that's not how it works and clearly if you owned a car company would wouldn't replace everyone's heads etc. b/c on some FB group some folks are saying they get a bit of blue smoke. My gut says valve seals or turbo seals. The 20 grade...doubt that has anything to do with it but hey, try a 40 next time to see, won't hurt it and many run the typical 502 40 grades in these cars regardless of what they call for. Keep in mind many take these gen 3 ea888s and push 2+x stock power all day/every day without drama (including me...1.8 but still the ea888.3). There is no conspriacy to not fix this issue, you need to figure out what is wrong first and help the dealer help you which may be v. difficult here unfortunatley with this kind of problem. Does the car have good compression/leak down test results? You may have to just suck it up and pay for that on your own at an idy shop so you can have something to show them again b/c life w/r to this kind of thign isn't always fair/how you want it to play out, sometimes you have to really get invovled/push to have things covered b/c remember, VW is requiring the dealer to show what is wrong and provide evidence before they pay them for that repair.

 

[GR_CoB]

It's all just your imagination, and imagination of thousands of other people who think they have the same issue. VW is the most reliable brand in the world. EA888 is the most reliable engine in the world. Nothing ever breaks on it, and when something does - it's the owners fault.

 

[TiGeo]

It's all just your imagination, and imagination of thousands of other people who think they have the same issue. VW is the most reliable brand in the world. EA888 is the most reliable engine in the world. Nothing ever breaks on it, and when something does - it's the owners fault.

This.

 

[Jetronic]

Considering it is happening on proven engine, my money is on supplier issue.

If VW knew that to be the case, they would fix the cars on the suppliers expense.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

If VW knew that to be the case, they would fix the cars on the suppliers expense.

Perhaps there isn't yet a fix. Wouldn't be the first time.

 

[Rand]

A few things. What you think is "a known problem" may actually be v. sporadic in the scheme of all GLIs/ea888.3 made vs. a few that are seeing some blue smoke. Always easy to say thing about how VW won't do this/that to get out of warranty work but unless they can diag the car and see an issue, how can they just fix it if there is nothing they can find wrong? As much as many want a new engine at teh first sign of an issue, that's not how it works and clearly if you owned a car company would wouldn't replace everyone's heads etc. b/c on some FB group some folks are saying they get a bit of blue smoke. My gut says valve seals or turbo seals. The 20 grade...doubt that has anything to do with it but hey, try a 40 next time to see, won't hurt it and many run the typical 502 40 grades in these cars regardless of what they call for. Keep in mind many take these gen 3 ea888s and push 2+x stock power all day/every day without drama (including me...1.8 but still the ea888.3). There is no conspriacy to not fix this issue, you need to figure out what is wrong first and help the dealer help you which may be v. difficult here unfortunatley with this kind of problem. Does the car have good compression/leak down test results? You may have to just suck it up and pay for that on your own at an idy shop so you can have something to show them again b/c life w/r to this kind of thign isn't always fair/how you want it to play out, sometimes you have to really get invovled/push to have things covered b/c remember, VW is requiring the dealer to show what is wrong and provide evidence before they pay them for that repair.

Can we get some paragraph formatting.. that is painful.

This is an interesting subject. Not enough known about it to dig into it much at this point.
Social media'ers sometimes do stuff for views.. including lie.

 

[shortyb]

What you have to realize before getting whipped up in a lather is, A) This is coming from "social media" posts and, B) It is unknown of exactly how many cases vs. total number of engines manufactured are having this "issue". It could be some very small percentage that could have been a result of any number of causes. My recommendation is to motor on and make sure you use decent oil and change it often. If VW determines a widespread problem, THEN you can worry about it.

 

[edyvw]

What you have to realize before getting whipped up in a lather is, A) This is coming from "social media" posts and, B) It is unknown of exactly how many cases vs. total number of engines manufactured are having this "issue". It could be some very small percentage that could have been a result of any number of causes. My recommendation is to motor on and make sure you use decent oil and change it often. If VW determines a widespread problem, THEN you can worry about it.

Yep. I ahd that thread on windshield issues on VW Atlas. Base on Atlas forums, other people have it, some don't. But, I opened new thread on Atlas forum and VWVortex so people can report it to NHTSA. If there is a pattern, and not specific to my vehicle or several others, than NHTSA could ask VW to investigate and maybe make them take action.

 

[930.engineering]

In the past few months there have been numerous posts on various social media platforms detailing issues . . . .

Any thoughts?

You guess my thoughts. FB and X?

Remember there is no "GLI engine". It's the same as on GTIs, several Audis, Seats,
Cupras and Skodas, even basically the same as on Golf R, Arteon, Tiguan R, Audi
TTS and S3 and many many more, more to count. IF the GLI had this issue they all
would suffer from the same problem - what they apparenty don't.

Keep driving and enjoy.
.