I've read that it is considered acceptable for my VW 1.8T to lose 1 quart of engine oil every 1,000 miles. Well, now I'm losing about 1 quart every 700 miles. I know my valve cover gasket is shot and needs to be replaced but I don't want to spend the money right now. I'm just checking the oil level every 100 or so miles and topping up. Oil sump capacity is 4 quarts, and I'm adding about 8 quarts between every 5k mile OCI. My question is: If I'm adding this much new oil so often, can I safely extend my OCI to 10k miles, or even longer?
Leaking oil. Is usual OCI still recommended?
- Thread starter gnosis
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Good lord! How much does it cost to replace the valve cover gasket? If you are using the VW-approved synthetic oil for your 1.8T, isn't that about the cost of 8qts x OCI for the parts for the gasket? Buy some beer for a buddy who has done it before, and tackle it together.
What kind of oil are you using now, conventional or synthetic? City or highway miles?
In advance of your reply, I'd say probably yes, just change the filter at around 5000 miles to be safe.
If its leaking that much I would change the gasket ASAP!
Frank D
In advance of your reply, I'd say probably yes, just change the filter at around 5000 miles to be safe.
If its leaking that much I would change the gasket ASAP!
Frank D
Valve cover gasket for most car is not too expensive and it should take less than 1/2 hour to replace.
In the mean time, you can extend OCI to 10k or more with that much oil added.
In the mean time, you can extend OCI to 10k or more with that much oil added.
No OCI needed with that kind of leak. Maybe the filter every 6-8k, but I can't see doing much else.
Do you have the VW 1.8T that developed sludge problems if the proper oil was not used?
The leak is more likely to be the cam chain tensioner gasket . And yes the engine has a cam chain as well as a timing belt .
To replace the leaking gaskets requires pulling the cam bearing caps and tilting the cams up at the rear . Not a half hour job .
The repair can run $500 .
To replace the leaking gaskets requires pulling the cam bearing caps and tilting the cams up at the rear . Not a half hour job .
The repair can run $500 .
Yes I have the sludge-prone 1.8T. I'm using just German Castrol 0w30 right now but I'm thinking about alternating top-offs with some cheap SuperTech 5w30 synthetic every other top-off, just to save a few bucks in the meantime.
The mechanic said that it might also be burning a lot of the oil and that replacing the gasket may not fix the major oil loss, but it's possible that it's the main reason for it. I might be wrong about it being valve cover gasket. Like "bruno" said, it might be a different gasket that's much more expensive. I need to get more info from the mechanic.
The mechanic said that it might also be burning a lot of the oil and that replacing the gasket may not fix the major oil loss, but it's possible that it's the main reason for it. I might be wrong about it being valve cover gasket. Like "bruno" said, it might be a different gasket that's much more expensive. I need to get more info from the mechanic.
Originally Posted By: kingrob
I don't.
I don't either especially in a sludge prone engine.
Frank D
I don't.
I don't either especially in a sludge prone engine.
Frank D
Try some uv dye in oil to help narrow down source of leak. If just valve cover gasket should be doable for about the extra 8 qts. of oil cost. May seem daunting if there is a lot of emmissions and other stuff to remove on top of engine. If this engine is sludge prone I would want to look just to see condition , which would involve pulling valve cover anyway.
Make sure you use the VW approved synthetic oil for that engine. Don't extend the OCI too long despite the constant top off. (Maybe an extra 1k miles)
How many miles do you have on that car? These are nice little cars with good power. I'd fix the leak unless you are planning to get rid of it.
How many miles do you have on that car? These are nice little cars with good power. I'd fix the leak unless you are planning to get rid of it.
Originally Posted By: Spartuss
Make sure you use the VW approved synthetic oil for that engine. Don't extend the OCI too long despite the constant top off. (Maybe an extra 1k miles)
How many miles do you have on that car? These are nice little cars with good power. I'd fix the leak unless you are planning to get rid of it.
122k on my '02 Passat. That's a lot of miles for 6.5 years but with my new job I only expect 12k/year now. I love this car and plan to keep it for at least a couple more years. I will definitely fix the leak, just not now.
Make sure you use the VW approved synthetic oil for that engine. Don't extend the OCI too long despite the constant top off. (Maybe an extra 1k miles)
How many miles do you have on that car? These are nice little cars with good power. I'd fix the leak unless you are planning to get rid of it.
122k on my '02 Passat. That's a lot of miles for 6.5 years but with my new job I only expect 12k/year now. I love this car and plan to keep it for at least a couple more years. I will definitely fix the leak, just not now.
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I talked to my mechanic today. It's $200 or so to replace two gaskets: valve cover gasket and --um, some other gasket. I can't believe I forgot the name of it already. Anyway I'm actually relieved it's not closer to $500. Maybe I'll get it done sooner than later.
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