VW/Audi 1.8 Turbo Owners, which VW 502 approved oil are you using?

Labatt Bear · Mar 6, 2005

Since last summer VW issued oil sludge case on 1.8t engines, what 502 approve oils have VW/Audi 1.8t owners been using? I hope nobody is still using M1 5w-30 or 10w-30 in the engine

.
My brother owns 1.8t Passat and is searching for good 502 oils. I recommended him M1 0w-40, GC 0w-30 and Elf LDX 5w-40. For first two, they can be purchased at local Wal-Mart and/or AutoZone. The latter one is only available on internet order (at least I am aware of), but reasonably priced. After reading 13 pages of Elf LDX 5w-40 info and testing results ( http://www.turbofrogperformance.com/PDF_files/ExcelliumLDX5w40_Customers.pdf ), my brother is leaning toward Elf 5w40.
I'd like to know what other VW/Audi 1.8t owners are using. Please post here. Thanks.

Quattro Pete · Mar 6, 2005

Right now I'm using Castrol SLX Ow-30. Prior to that I was using M1 0w-40, and before that I was using M1 5w-30. Even though the M1 5w-30 does not carry the VW 502.00 spec, it has shown to be a very capable oil in the 1.8T engine, delivering even better results than the M1 0w-40, even at 10K mile intervals...

http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=000398

Nosmo King · Mar 6, 2005

I am using Mobil 1, 0w-40 in my VW.

I chose a 0w-40 as opposed to a 5w-40 for better lubrication at start up. It takes quite a bit of time for the oil to get up to operating temp and I feel that the 0w is flowing better at start up temps than a 5w-* or 10w-*.

Anyway, I have been very happy with this oil since the car was new ( 0w-40 was my first oil change at 500 km's). No start up rattle, quiet lifters and no more oil burning that expected. In my experience, all performance VW's burn a little oil and this is my 7th VW.

SPITMAN · Mar 6, 2005

Castrol Syntec 0W-30 - Made in Germany - also known as "GC" on this forum. Also use filter # 068-115-561B to bring the fill capacity up to 5L. Oil change interval is once a year in the late spring with under 8,000Km driven annually. No sludge ever detected.

wavinwayne · Mar 6, 2005

Currently, I'm running M1 0w40 & M1 #M1-205 oil filter. I am very pleased with this combo.

However, since I found it on sale back in February, I will be running GC 0w30 for my next two oil changes. Oil filter will be M1.

After my supply of GC is gone, I'll be out of warranty, so I'm not sure which oil I'll use.

So many good synthetics on the market to choose from now........

Audi Junkie · Mar 6, 2005

Elf? Where? The only Elf oil I use is GC.

IMO any quality synth is ok unless you are trying to de-sludge than I'd recommend Mobil 1 5w-40 SUV. Any A3 or A5 rated oil works. I got good results with Saab Synthetic 0w-30. If you can find it buy a bunch, it's on sale for $3/l. It's a Mobil 1 Euro Long-Life Polar oil, A5.
PS if it is out of warranty, forget VW 502. The spec to look for is the Long-Life spec, VW 503.01. 502 is just a re-hash of A3.

thunderchild · Mar 6, 2005

Audi TT225 QR. I am using the M1 5w-40. They call it Truck and SUV but it is one of the Euro reccommended weights for our cars (Audi). I have used it now for the past 3 oil changes and I like how the car feels with it. I do just about all highway driving 95%, and maybe 5% city. Great oil!!

vwoom · Mar 6, 2005

Earlier when the B5 was new, I've ran Synpower 5w40..then Motul Synergie 6100 5w40 until 45k for Auto-Rx.

After the Rotella/A-Rx rinse at 50k, I'll be running ocis with either Motul E-Tech 0w40 or GC 0w30. Then later on as the miles rack up it will be the Maxlife Synthetic 5w30s and 10w30s turn....

All are vw 502 oils, pre and post A-Rx(post 502 oils are currently under lock and key..

).

Needless to say, my B5 1.8T ATW is set oilwise until the 100k powertrain goes...kaput!

Gradient · Mar 6, 2005

I have a 98 VW Passat 1.8T ("The Sludge Monster"); been using Mobil 1 since 10,000 miles, I'm now at 85,000. Originally 15W50 (was it 20W50?), when the 0W40 was available I switched to it. I usually change my oil at 5K, took it to 7K once and there were two times the dealer messed up and I ended up with 2K and 3K Dino OCI.
With all the sludge problems and owning a 1.8T with the original Turbo oil feed line and the original poor heat shield I was worried the line was restricted. I decided to pull the feed line and check if it was restricted.
Pulled the feed line and it was perfectly clear.

I was going to do an AutoRX cleaning but after seeing how clean the turbo line was I decided not to.
Mobil 1 seems to be working great in my 1.8T.

[ March 06, 2005, 10:49 PM: Message edited by: prebis ]

TooSlick · Mar 6, 2005

So far, I've tested - through oil analysis - the Amsoil 0w-30/10w-30/10w-40 in my 2002 Audi TT roadster, which has the 1.8L, 225 Hp engine. I'm currently running their 5w-40 formulation and will be testing it after 10,000-12,000 miles. So far, I like the performance and fuel efficiency the best with the Series 2000, 0w-30. Wear rates and oil degradation have been the same with the xw-30 and xw-40 formulations. You can find my post of the Amsoil 10w-30 in the UOA section ....

Running a xw-40 is TOTALLY UNECESSARY in this motor - regardless of what VW recommends in their TSB. As long as you use an xw-30 that meets the ACEA A3/B4 and VW 502 specification you'll be just fine. VW is mainly recommending 5w-40 since this is an "idiot proof" way to go. By that I mean most 5w-40's are intended for European applications, hence they will tend to meet the VW 502 specs by default. You have to look around a bit more to find xw-30's like Amsoil and the GC, 0w-30 that meets or exceeds the VW 502 specs. I'd also have no reservations about running the Redline 5w-30/10w-30 in these motors,based on the analysis data I've seen.

TS

Mud · Mar 6, 2005

2002 Audi A4, 1.8T, 50K miles, we are the second owners from 34K miles. First owner seemed to have taken reasonable care of the car, but oil changes were done by dealer. No real sludge issues found (so far).

I had originally started with M1 5w-30, but on BITOG advice soon changed to M1 0w-40. No problems either way. OCI is approximately 5K miles, including filter.

Note that VW's "fix" on the sludge issue also includes the use of the larger oil filter to add another 1/2 quart or so to the 4 qt sump capacity. I use the Mahle/Mann 068115561 filter and order them over the internet.

CosmicFlash · Mar 7, 2005

I've been running, since new, Valvoline Synpower 5W 40 on my 99' 1.8T. 121,000 miles with 7-9,000 mi. OCI's. Like Prebis my dealer messed up putting the dino in once or twice and I ran it 3,000 mi. as well

I did an UOA at 100,000 miles that is posted here.

The oil seems to be doing just fine for me.

BTW, it can be ordered at any Napa and I believe Pep Boys is now carrying it.

Bugzii · Mar 7, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by Labatt Bear:
Since last summer VW issued oil sludge case on 1.8t engines, what 502 approve oils have VW/Audi 1.8t owners been using? I hope nobody is still using M1 5w-30 or 10w-30 in the engine

.

Nah... 5w-30 and 10w-30 are fine. Just make sure you keep the oil level at max and take care of the engine. Everything will be fine.

85k on mostly 5w-30 and 10w-3. No complaints.

Tyrolkid2 · Mar 7, 2005

I run a VW/Audi shop in NYC. I've sold some customers on the benefits of oil analyses on a number of 1.8Ts that have come through the shop. I've yet to see a bad analysis on 0/30, 5/30, 10/30, 5/40, or even 15/50(Customer choice in oil, not mine). Intervals ranging from 5k to 10k. M1 5w30 at 10k holds up superbly. If the car is chipped/raced, than a 502 oil might hold up better, but for a daily driver, a good syn of any weight will do a great job.

TooSlick · Mar 7, 2005

Tyrokid,

You don't want to confuse folks on the VW Vortex and AudiWorld with the facts....

The oil discussion on those forums is so uninformed and silly I don't know where to begin.

I should mention that the Redline 5w-30 and 10w-30 are excellent for VW/Audi turbo engines - as you well know. Neither of them technically meets the VW 502/505 specifications, for what it's worth....

One thing I wanted to add is that the VW 502 spec uses the venerable, 115 Hp/122 ft-lb, 2.0L, non-turbocharged engine for the actual testing. There is NO testing in any of the newer, multivalve or turbo engines made by VW/Audi. So you can argue that this isn't the spec to use to determine the suitability of an oil for these newer applications.

Ted

[ March 08, 2005, 10:24 AM: Message edited by: TooSlick ]

Brikhead · Mar 7, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by Bugzii:

quote:

Originally posted by Labatt Bear:
Since last summer VW issued oil sludge case on 1.8t engines, what 502 approve oils have VW/Audi 1.8t owners been using? I hope nobody is still using M1 5w-30 or 10w-30 in the engine

.

Click to expand...

Nah... 5w-30 and 10w-30 are fine. Just make sure you keep the oil level at max and take care of the engine. Everything will be fine.

85k on mostly 5w-30 and 10w-3. No complaints.

I think Labatt Bear's concern may stem from the fact that VWoAs warranty extension(Audi A4/VW Passat)is only applicable if VW approved oils are used with documented OCIs. But I do agree that most modern 5/10w30 synthetics are more than capable of sufficiently protecting the 1.8t under normal driving conditions.

moribundman · Mar 8, 2005

quote:

One thing I wanted to add is that the VW 502 spec uses the venerable, 115 Hp/122 ft-lb, 2.0L, non-turbocharged engine for the actual testing. There is NO testing in any of the newer, multivalve or turbo engines made by VW/Audi. So you can argue that this isn't the spec to use to determine the suitability of an oil for these newer applications.

Keep in mind the 1.8T 20v engine isn't exactly a spring chicken, but was developed over a decade ago, when the appropriate oil spec was still VW 500.00.

Alan · Mar 8, 2005

Too Slick wrote:
"One thing I wanted to add is that the VW 502 spec uses the venerable, 115 Hp/122 ft-lb, 2.0L, non-turbocharged engine for the actual testing. There is NO testing in any of the newer, multivalve or turbo engines made by VW/Audi. So you can argue that this isn't the spec to use to determine the suitability of an oil for these newer applications."

I didn't know that,nice bit of info TS.
Those 2.0L engines have a reputation for being quite durable regardless of oil used.

John_E · Mar 8, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by Alan:
Those 2.0L engines have a reputation for being quite durable regardless of oil used.

That's because they don't have that **** turbocharger.

I started using Mobil1 0W-40 in my 1.8T when I got the infamous sludge notice last summer. So far, so good. I hold a 3000 to 3500 mile OCI because my wife does alot of city driving, which is murder on the whole powertrain. I would be comfortable with twice as long an OCI if we did mostly mid-length trips on open highways.

A heavy xW-30 synthetic oil would indeed probably be fine for this engine, but Mobil1's various xW-30s could almost be labeled xW-20s, which probably would be too light for these engines.

CosmicFlash · Mar 8, 2005

"One thing I wanted to add is that the VW 502 spec uses the venerable, 115 Hp/122 ft-lb, 2.0L, non-turbocharged engine for the actual testing. There is NO testing in any of the newer, multivalve or turbo engines made by VW/Audi. So you can argue that this isn't the spec to use to determine the suitability of an oil for these newer applications."

Tooslick,

What exactly is the 502 spec? I've asked on this board a couple of times what the specs actually are such as the MB 229, BMW LL, GM LL, etc. and have never got a response. It's nice you actually can say what a spec is.
Is there a link that describes all of these specs? I know ACEA has a website and describes their specs with shear levels etc but can't find anything about these manufacture specs...

Thanks.

[ March 09, 2005, 02:30 AM: Message edited by: CosmicFlash ]

VW/Audi 1.8 Turbo Owners, which VW 502 approved oil are you using?

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