How common is the oil consumption problem?

[rxer311]

New guy on the forum here again. I just got my A4 and have been seeing some posts about abnormal oil consumption up to a quart every 660 miles [confused].

I got rid of my STI because of all the maintenence issues I was having...including oil consumption (which subaru considered a quart every 1000 miles normal). I hope I don't have maintenance issues with this car because of why I got out of my Subaru...to have a car I didn't have to worry about.

What else should I look out for? It seems that my dealership would go to bat for me if needed but man...

Edit: Curious as to which oil you guys are using. As I mentioned in a different thread my STI burned Mobile 1 synthetic (factory spec) like it was water. I changed to Amsoil 5w40 and the problem seemed to resolve itself. Just a thought.

[aaron1085]

call audi...thats why we have warranties

[Nikoman]

call audi...thats why we have warranties

x2

[rxer311]

I know if I have a problem to call Audi. I was wondering how common this is and if I should start taking notes now...

[Kolyan2k]

common. for Audi 1qt per 1k miles is also normal.

thanks god i dont have this issue on my 2008, my friend on the other hand with 2006 A4 is not that lucky :)

advice: change oil every 5k, not 10k.

[ItsThat2.0T]

Just save your time and take it right to them. Logging it will only satisfy you; they need to run their tests to see if it is burning too much.

[rxer311]

Just save your time and take it right to them. Logging it will only satisfy you; they need to run their tests to see if it is burning too much.

I just took delivery of the car on saturday so I don't even know if I have an issue yet. I just want to see how common it is so I know how hard I have to keep an eye out for it.

[clemsongt]

OP... maybe you'd have better results with a poll?

How often do you add oil:
<1000
1000-2000
2000-3000
3000-5000
>5000 or never

[Matt@EuropaParts]

It's pretty common. My gf and sister both have B7's, and both burn a fair amount of oil (neither car can make it to the 5k OCI without needing at least a quart). 51k and 36k (respectively). FWIW, my 1.8T (w/ 67k) burns no oil at all.

OP, make sure you take notes and save all the reciepts from oil changes and stuff. I think (on these cars) Audi is saying 1 quart/1k-1200 miles is normal, but many of the dealerships (including the ones near me) all acknowledge that this motor burns a fair amount of oil. Your best bet is (assuming you still have a warranty) to take it to them each and every time the oil light comes on, that way its logged in the system. Remember also that Audi's spec is a 10k OCI (which doesn't make much sense, seeing as you could add at least 4 quarts of oil over that time, which seems excessive to me)

[nramsey]

This same discussion has played out in every car enthusiast forum I've been on for every model car I've had in the last 10+ years. Internal combustion engines can lose oil, and unless it's significant (a quart or more every 500 or so miles) the manufacturers don't consider it a problem.

[EMAXX]

I'm just around 25k miles now and my motor has started to burn oil... Scared me at first when the light came on, did some searching on the forum and found it seems to be pretty common. I still mention it to the dealer when I'm there.

[rxer311]

Curious as to which oil you guys are using. As I mentioned in a different thread my STI burned Mobile 1 synthetic (factory spec) like it was water. I changed to Amsoil 5w40 and the problem seemed to resolve itself. Just a thought.

[chaze]

Curious as to which oil you guys are using. As I mentioned in a different thread my STI burned Mobile 1 synthetic (factory spec) like it was water. I changed to Amsoil 5w40 and the problem seemed to resolve itself. Just a thought.

http://www.purems.com/images/datapage/802231_dp.jpg
This is what I use, it's more in line with European specs than many of the domestic oils. The dealership does the Audi Care service using the Castrol and I add this through attrition, so far has been two quarts between 5k oil changes. Once I put it in, it seems to dissipate less rapidly than the Castrol does. I recommend.
Get it here:
http://www.purems.com/products/product.php/II=2018

[weezy]

I get 2 top-offs at the dealer every 7000 miles. That's from sitting in downtown rush hour traffic five days a week. Good thing out of this is that the top-offs are free and dealer is 5 minutes away.\

Quick Edit:
The first light for low oil pressure is coming on after the 1500 miles mark, which is much sooner that before.

[IceMole]

2007 and some 2008 cars had a bad batch of rings causing oil consumption. That's the long and short of it.

[rxer311]

2007 and some 2008 cars had a bad batch of rings causing oil consumption. That's the long and short of it.

So you are saying a 2006 should not be affected according to this data?

[staticuxo]

05.5 here.. never had a problem with oil consumption..

[Coderedpl]

05.5 here.. never had a problem with oil consumption..

06 same thing

[scoobycarolan]

Seems to be pcv/crankcase breather/valve cover gasket related.

To be honest OP, if your worried about $8 in oil every couple of months, walk away.

[rxer311]

^^^^This I can deal with...cracked ringlands, I cannot.

I had a 2007 STi and the motors were popping in them at an alarming rate.

[viziers]

hmm my 05.5 doesn't burn a drop of oil and i have 126,000 and im the original owner.


vizi

[Tanner]

Early 2006 model (or a 2005.5 like what it's known in the US), it eats a bit of oil but never to the point where the oil light warning comes up.

[JRMSLINEA4]

My 07 uses a quart in between 5k oil changes. BTW make sure you use a oil that meets the VW502 code as said in the owners manual. Mobil1 Syn 5-30w does not meet but 0-40w Syn does.

[Stewy]

My 2.0T FSI burns about 1.5L between oil changes (6,000 kms).

[andyisgood]

I have to add 1 quart every 6000km after oil change.... The oil I use is Motul 5W40...

[rxer311]

So far 1200 miles on mine since I got it and no consumption....

We will see...

[esm]

05.5 here.. never had a problem with oil consumption..

+1

[jayphil82]

2006 here and I have never seen the low oil light yet. I am at 54k miles...

also prior to new cylinder head / cam at 45k miles,I was doing 8k oil change intervals. Now I do them after 5k miles max.

[Kevin2772]

Im a lease and only do the recommended oil changes every 10K. in 35K ive had to put oil in it 3 times. With oil changes every 5K i see no reason why there would be a problem.

[Redbeard]

On the FSI 2.0 1 quart per 1000 miles was considered standard as well .

[remOOOO]

05.5 here.. never had a problem with oil consumption..

same here

[tankdeer]

'06. 60k miles, hasn't burned a drop so far. Just did an oil change yesterday with Pentosin 5W-40 (http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B7_A4-Quattro-2.0T/Maintenance/Engine/Oil/ES2167/).

[a4dc89]

I dont burn a drop ever if i do i cant tell and ive never had low oil. :)

2006 a4 2.0t 42k