VW Passat B5 Oil Consumption

[NICAT]

Hi.
I want to buy a VW B5 1.8 Turbo, 2004 from a friend. Milage: 300K Km
He has it since 2011 and had the engine rebuilt recently.
My main concern is the fact that, the engine consumes 1L oil per 1500Km. (Both before and after being rebuilt)
As far as i know,it is normal for turbocharged engines (especially VW engines) to consume more oil.
But how much is too much ? Especially for rebuilt engine.
Regards.

 

[khittner]

Sounds like he didn't replace/rebuild the turbocharger.

 

[KGMtech]

Remove the lower hose from the intercooler. This is located under the car on the Left Front (driver's side front for North American cars) next to the radiator. When you release this hose from the lower part of the intercooler, there should be oil leaking out, the issue is how much? drain it out, and plan to check back in about 2 weeks, and see how much comes out with subsequent drainings.

When I had my 2004 B5 I actually drilled a hole in the lowest part of my intercooler housing, and put a sheet metal screw back in to seal it up. Made the draining / inspection much easier.

All of these engines will have a certain amount of oil accumulate in the intercooler, it's normal, but if you are routinely getting 0.25 L from this...your turbo, or the rings, or the valve seals are shot.

 

[sloinker]

My old 1.8L B5 Passat used 1 qt every 3000 miles from new so yours doesn't sound too far away from that.

 

[NICAT]

Thanks for replies.

Originally Posted by sloinker
My old 1.8L B5 Passat used 1 qt every 3000 miles from new so yours doesn't sound too far away from that.


3 times less than mine.

 

[sloinker]

Originally Posted by NICAT
Thanks for replies.

Originally Posted by sloinker
My old 1.8L B5 Passat used 1 qt every 3000 miles from new so yours doesn't sound too far away from that.


3 times less than mine.

*#^% metric system!

 

[seanf]

was the PCV system cleaned/replaced when the engine was rebuilt? Having had 3 Audi A4s with 1.8ts the PCV system needed servicing in all of them.

 

[benjy]

my perfectly running 50 thou 2001 TT 225Q 1.8T according to car fax uses the same amount. i recently started topping with 15-50 in warmer months, its a summer car + i change oil at summers end with 10-40, all oil is Redline due to my smallish 4.25 qt sump + not stock 300 ft lb TQ. my traded 1.8T 2001 jetta 1.8T used progressively more oil to similar 1500 mile per qt until i traded it running great at 200,000 miles. great engines + fun to drive that can deliver good mpg's if driven conservatively. a bit of consumption with port injection is not bad unlike DI engines. all engines vary but a proper compression-leakdown test witt tell you your engines general health. of course ANY high mileage vehicle can have wear issues on any part that moves! the heavier oil increased the engine vacuum, a good thing + cut consumption as well, spark plugs never fouled either.