oil use in Audi 1.8t

[flyboy4947]

engine has 104,000 miles, all with either Mobil 1 0W40 or GC 0W30. For 100,000 miles absolutely no oil consumption. At 100,000 had the timing belt, idler, water pump etc. changed. Now the car is using about 1 qt every 3000 miles. Any idea if the timing belt change could have led to this?? No oil leaks present.

 

[Turbodriven]

That does sound odd...did they maybe change the oil when they did the cambelt job...seems like its not uncommon for the stealers in the US to do that.

 

[flyboy4947]

No, my friend did it at his garage, and the oil was changed with GC 0W30, same as always. It stayed near normal for 500 miles then slowly has dropped using 1 qt in 3000 miles.

 

[ProfPS]

I would check the engine timing. The new belt it tighter and the distributor timing may need adjustment. It could be that the timing belt could be off by a tooth. This is common when trying to align the cam and crank by the small timing marks while installing a new belt.

 

[flyboy4947]

I can do that but why would that result in oil use? Their is no engine pinging and the gas mileage matches what I have had for the last 100,000 miles.

 

[Shannow]

I learned in the last couple weeks that oil consumption (particularly in Audis) makes for a world class engine.

Enjoy your consumption...it only gets better.

regarding the timing...I've seen an engine in poor tune (crook carby mixture and bad timing) use a lot of oil, and then stop when rectified. I didn't know what it was, but was told "ring flutter" could have been the culprit...not sure that I beleive it.

 

[Turbodriven]

Check the usual suspects...PCV, new leaks, compression...

 

[TeeDub]

I'd guess you are getting abnormal fuel dilution, which can be verified by an oil analysis....

 

[flyboy4947]

PCV is fine, their are no oil leaks at all, I will do an oil analysis for fuel dilution, and Shannow, I have driven Audi's for a long time and have never had oil consumption until now, last engine went 320,000 with no oil use between 5000 mile OCI's.

 

[JAG]

If this change occured right around the same time as this work was done, odds are that something went wrong with the parts installation. Ask your friend to show you everything he touched and make sure nothing looks put together improperly. I hope it wasn't that the belt is on wrong or that the timing is wrong. Also, look at your coolant to make sure oil isn't getting into it.

 

[thunderchild]

I would use an xw-40 weight oil. I have a TT 225 QR. I use only synthetic oil and I have had no oil consumption problems using this weight.

 

[Drew99GT]

If the timing belt was off even one tooth, the car would run much different then before and be night and day noticeable most likely.

I would first look over the engine, specifically the valve cover gasket area, with a fine tooth comb. I'd imagine the cover had to be popped off for the timing belt removal??? Check to make sure the gasket isn't leaking like a sieve.

This motor has no distributor, right? Does it run craapier now?

 

[flyboy4947]

engine runs same as always, there are NO oil leaks anywhere, coolant is clear, etc. I will run an analysis and see, by the way the GC 0W30 thickens up and is probably better then the 0W40 Mobil 1, check all the posts to that effect.

 

[Auto-Union]

Give it time and keep tracking. GC resulted in the lowest consumption I ever had.

 

[moribundman]

Take off the belly pan and look for a nifty oil leak. Sometimes oil can will squirt out or leak only when the engine is running and the oil may simply coat the engine, the belly pan and the whole undercarriage without noticeable drips on the ground. Ask me how I know...

There is also chance the valve stem seals are somewhat worn and shrunk (Viton seals are used) by now. It's been an issue with all my VWs and my Audi, usually beginning around 80 k miles.

Does the 1.8T have a PCV valve? I doubt it. Still, make sure the valve cover breather hose is not clogged, because that would affect oil consumption.

 

[Turbodriven]

Ah you know what...it could be the exhaust seal in the turbo...if slight (which your consumption is)it won't make a noticable amount of smoke when running, so you won't know about it.
WHen the car is cold get underneath and look at the centre cartridge unit of the turbo (not sure if it is visible on the Audi. Get someone to start the car and give close inspection...normally you see it as a little weep out the exhaust side...which burns off. You could also check inside the compressor hose if its got oil in there, then the comp side seal is leaking a bit...
If its slight, then I would not worry...