How to avoid excessive oil usage cars?
Discussion
silentbrown said:
Only thing to check is how much more fun the 2.0 is to drive...
I`m sure it`s more fun but if I can avoid oil consumption issues it might be a decent option. It`ll be my first petrol car for around 7 years.The car I`ve found has a decent spec and appears to be in good condition. I`ll of course try both variants out.
As the OP I can say the 1.8 TFSI (160) is a nice engine in a A3. In a A4 Avant it may be a bit down on power? I haven't driven one so can't comment, Audi do plenty of 120 bhp 1.8s in the Avant so the 160 might be ok? As a bonus the 1.8 is more economical, as expected, probably only by a few mpg.
Btw I have read threads where 1.8 TFSI engines have had excessive oil usage, but rare compared to the 2.0 TFSI in the north south configuration.
Btw I have read threads where 1.8 TFSI engines have had excessive oil usage, but rare compared to the 2.0 TFSI in the north south configuration.
Hopefully a bit of feedback that may be useful:
My '09 65K A4 2.0 has today successfully "failed" the first part of Audi's oil consumption test, with the electronic gauge showing about 900ml used in 650 miles. The next step requires an ECU update, and - I think - breather valve replacement, then I get to repeat the test. If that one also fails it's time for pistons and rings.
The good news is that I've been told this will be 100% covered by Audi. No contribution required from me. (Cost to me so far, zero. I've also had two free top-up litres of oil, the usual car wash after each visit, and some pretty drinkable coffee...)
While Audi haven't officially fessed up to anything, I was told that "there is a new procedure from Audi", and "they are handling this differently now". The service history of the car was carefully checked before the 'offer' was made. (mine was bought approved used from a different dealer, but has been serviced by this dealership for the last 3 years.) This seems to be key to the 'goodwill'.
No customer contribution, no haggling with Audi customer service: I'm a happy bunny.
(Full Disclosure: 99% sure that service dept didn't know I was putting deposit down for a new S4 while they were working on the car... So in a few months my car will up for sale anyway!)
My '09 65K A4 2.0 has today successfully "failed" the first part of Audi's oil consumption test, with the electronic gauge showing about 900ml used in 650 miles. The next step requires an ECU update, and - I think - breather valve replacement, then I get to repeat the test. If that one also fails it's time for pistons and rings.
The good news is that I've been told this will be 100% covered by Audi. No contribution required from me. (Cost to me so far, zero. I've also had two free top-up litres of oil, the usual car wash after each visit, and some pretty drinkable coffee...)
While Audi haven't officially fessed up to anything, I was told that "there is a new procedure from Audi", and "they are handling this differently now". The service history of the car was carefully checked before the 'offer' was made. (mine was bought approved used from a different dealer, but has been serviced by this dealership for the last 3 years.) This seems to be key to the 'goodwill'.
No customer contribution, no haggling with Audi customer service: I'm a happy bunny.
(Full Disclosure: 99% sure that service dept didn't know I was putting deposit down for a new S4 while they were working on the car... So in a few months my car will up for sale anyway!)
silentbrown said:
The next step requires an ECU update, and - I think - breather valve replacement
Car was in today for software update and vacuum unit(?) replacement, as part #1 of the fix. No charge : Collected, delivered, washed (inevitably) and with a complimentary MOT on top. I now have to do another 600+ miles to see if it's fixed the problem.
silentbrown said:
Car was in today for software update and vacuum unit(?) replacement, as part #1 of the fix.
I now have to do another 600+ miles to see if it's fixed the problem.
Short answer: No, it didn't!I now have to do another 600+ miles to see if it's fixed the problem.
Long answer: MMI gauge didn't budge for 400 miles, then started dropping at its usual rate. So I suspect it was filled a little high to give me more range before the light came on... Booked in for pistons and rings next month, and awaiting final confirmation on costs.
The conversation with cheery and helpful service advisor was a little underwhelming, though:
Him: Your car has failed by the consumption test by "0.2" so needs new pistons and rings.
Me: OK. Can I see the exact result of the test?
Him: I don't have that. but it failed by "0.2"
Me: "0.2 whats??" (Litres per mile, gallons per fortnight, olympic-swimming-pools per country-the-size-of-wales? - OK, I didn't say that bit...)
Him: Oh. Well they weigh the oil, so it must be (... deep thought...) grams - It failed by 0.2 grams!
I guess that explains why he's not a master technician...
He will have followed a procedure in tech documents and its what the computer has told him.. great hey.
Incidentally I understand there is another round of this problem with later A4s and A5s, different cause I think, book time for strip & rebuild is 22 hours, my mate recons he's got it down to half that, simply from having done so many.... Impressed ? he most certainly isn't !
Incidentally I understand there is another round of this problem with later A4s and A5s, different cause I think, book time for strip & rebuild is 22 hours, my mate recons he's got it down to half that, simply from having done so many.... Impressed ? he most certainly isn't !
Crafty_ said:
He will have followed a procedure in tech documents and its what the computer has told him..
No 'procedure to follow', I think. This was just the front-of-house "service advisor". The technician actually working on the car knows his stuff, and know I'd have got a proper answer if I'd asked him!Crafty_ said:
book time for strip & rebuild is 22 hours, my mate recons he's got it down to half that
Slowcoach... 3 Mins 44 seconds is the time to beat! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiysSiZdeIECan you ask if he knows why they also change conrods on some engines to fix this? Seems odd to me.
silentbrown said:
Slowcoach... 3 Mins 44 seconds is the time to beat! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiysSiZdeIE
Can you ask if he knows why they also change conrods on some engines to fix this? Seems odd to me.
Can you ask if he knows why they also change conrods on some engines to fix this? Seems odd to me.
I'll send him that. I'm not sure if they do come pre-assembled, they don't in that video. I will ask.
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