Sudden increase in oil consumption?

[mgaman]

Hey gents -

Just had a question about oil consumption.

I bought my 2010 with 48,020 and a full 7 qts of oil on it. MMI showed full, dipstick showed full.

On a whim I checked the oil via the dipstick on Monday, cold motor, and it still showed full. I didn't check MMI. Today a buddy was in the car with me and brought up the Oil Level in MMI and it showed half empty. I had more errands and what not to do, and had to pick up the lady and my daughter from various things. Long story short I get home at about 8p tonight, and check MMI again - now it shows around 1/3rd - maybe 35-40%, full.

I check via dipstick and it also shows considerably lower, around a third up the dipstick from MIN.

Any thoughts as to what caused the sudden consumption? Car seems to be running fine, I don't drive it particularly hard on any given day, though today I did give it a few good romps it pretty much just runs about normally. Is it the difference between cold and warm? Cause I can't ever recall seeing that big of a variance on other cars of mine.

Mileage is about 51k now.

[jpmorais]

Well MMI could be off sometimes, the real test would be add oil and bring it to max (measure with the dip stick tho) and then keep a eye on it.

If you drove the car for 2000 miles and thats all that it used then i would assume its within limits, its normal up to 1qt per 1000 miles according to audi.

But if you do have a problem then if could be either PVC valve under the Supercharger, or pistons rings (due to a poor brake in) witch is a more costly job.

[Dr GP]

There have been oil consumption issues due to a faulty PVC valve. I would be highly suspicious of this since your car had no previous issues. IF it is, the supercharger needs to be removed to get at it. I would suggest replacing the T stat while you have the SC off

[SteveYem]

^ My 2012 S4 was burning some oil, enough to throw the "low oil" alarm after ~5000 miles (half way between factory recommended oil change intervals). I was still under factory warranty when I took the car in and they replaced the PCV valve at no charge. I don't know if it's because I had warranty coverage, or because it was a known issue by Audi and there was a TSB out for it. But it would be worth calling your local Audi dealer to inquire about said TSB, or if you have a CPO or some other warranty they should cover it at no cost to you.

[triz08]

^ My 2012 S4 was burning some oil, enough to throw the "low oil" alarm after ~5000 miles (half way between factory recommended oil change intervals). I was still under factory warranty when I took the car in and they replaced the PCV valve at no charge. I don't know if it's because I had warranty coverage, or because it was a known issue by Audi and there was a TSB out for it. But it would be worth calling your local Audi dealer to inquire about said TSB, or if you have a CPO or some other warranty they should cover it at no cost to you.

My 2015 seems to be doing the same thing. Only 3000 miles on it and the meter in MMI is about half. Ill have to bring it up to my service tech next time.

[Dr GP]

The PVC valve causing increased Oil consumption seems to be a common issue with these cars . I believe I have the same issue with my current 2011 that I purchased used now with 55k miles. I have an extended warranty. Just waiting for a convenient time to have it done along with the t stat.

[dansjuice]

I have 10k on mine and have had three low oil warnings. It was a bad sensor and was replaced...

[Dr GP]

My 2015 seems to be doing the same thing. Only 3000 miles on it and the meter in MMI is about half. Ill have to bring it up to my service tech next time.

At 3k miles I would be concerned that your piston rings have not seated completely. Did you drive the car conservatively for the first 1000 miles ? If so that could be the issue. Although it is not unusual to burn oil in the first 5k miles,

[triz08]

At 3k miles I would be concerned that your piston rings have not seated completely. Did you drive the car conservatively for the first 1000 miles ? If so that could be the issue. Although it is not unusual to burn oil in the first 5k miles,

Oh I am sure they are seated. I drove it probably harder than I should have during the break in.

[AKPS4]

I dont think there is necessarily a problem.. you check the oil when it was cold then compared to after driving and when the enginer was warm. When the engine is cold most of the oil is probably down in the pan, which will show more oil on the dipstick. After driving and a warm/hot engine there is more oil on all the part and within valleys and other areas of the block so not all of the oil will be in the pan. You probably measured whatever was in the pan at that point. Did you measure the cold reading again?

You probably have normal oil consumption issues like all others and nothing that happened suddenly. You should top off the oil and monitor more carefully under similar conditions.

[roadkillrob]

I dont think there is necessarily a problem.. you check the oil when it was cold then compared to after driving and when the enginer was warm. When the engine is cold most of the oil is probably down in the pan, which will show more oil on the dipstick. After driving and a warm/hot engine there is more oil on all the part and within valleys and other areas of the block so not all of the oil will be in the pan. You probably measured whatever was in the pan at that point. Did you measure the cold reading again?

You probably have normal oil consumption issues like all others and nothing that happened suddenly. You should top off the oil and monitor more carefully under similar conditions.

+1 definitely compare cold to cold or warm to warm - let it sit overnight and then check it before starting it and see how it compares to your original reading.

[Dr GP]

Oh I am sure they are seated. I drove it probably harder than I should have during the break in.

Its almost impossible to drive too had. But it is possible to drive too easy