How to avoid excessive oil usage cars?
Discussion
I really fancy the A4 with a 2.0 tfsi engine from the 2010 - 2012 era. But I keep reading about some cars using excess oil and needing new engines. If the car is under warranty then Audi helps, otherwise ......
I have the 1.8 tfsi in a 2009 A3 currently and it uses a small amount of oil, maybe 1/2 a litre every 2K miles, so no problem at all.
So is it possible to know in any way if a car has a problem and is being 'moved on' to someone else?
Dr G et al any advice?
Thanks
I have the 1.8 tfsi in a 2009 A3 currently and it uses a small amount of oil, maybe 1/2 a litre every 2K miles, so no problem at all.
So is it possible to know in any way if a car has a problem and is being 'moved on' to someone else?
Dr G et al any advice?
Thanks
I bought a 10 plate 2.0TQ Avant a few months ago with 92k on the clock, and as part of my purchase checks I always call the dealer(s) where the car was serviced to double check on the stamps in the service book. To my relief I found out that the bottom end rebuild was carried out by Audi in April 2014 at 88k. Whether the previous owner had to pay or not I'm not sure.
A point to remember is that the fix is to the bottom end only, so the head and valve gear aren't touched. So spark plugs etc are full of gunk. So I have had the sparks replaced and was going to go for a head off clean\ polish to get rid of the no doubt significant carbon\ oil build up. Not cheap!
I then heard about the Terraclean treatment, I had this carried out and can report a significant improvement in performance, and by all accounts looking at the spark plugs etc, a much much cleaner head. It cots about £90 for engines up to 2.0, but I went for the slightly more expensive £120 option designed for larger capcity engines - just basically more of the Terraclean fluid was used, to really make sure a proper clean up is done.
A point to remember is that the fix is to the bottom end only, so the head and valve gear aren't touched. So spark plugs etc are full of gunk. So I have had the sparks replaced and was going to go for a head off clean\ polish to get rid of the no doubt significant carbon\ oil build up. Not cheap!
I then heard about the Terraclean treatment, I had this carried out and can report a significant improvement in performance, and by all accounts looking at the spark plugs etc, a much much cleaner head. It cots about £90 for engines up to 2.0, but I went for the slightly more expensive £120 option designed for larger capcity engines - just basically more of the Terraclean fluid was used, to really make sure a proper clean up is done.
Thank you for the replies. However doing checks with Audi and previous owners will only be of use if any problem that exists/existed is reported. If the problem car is quickly 'traded in' then the next owner will be unable to do history checks. So is there any tell-tale signs other than driving the car several hundred miles and then realising you have a big problem.
Interesting point about the engine top-end being untouched so it's gunged up even after the repair.
Anybody know what percentage of tfsi engines have this problem?
Is it more of a problem in A4 and A5?
Interesting point about the engine top-end being untouched so it's gunged up even after the repair.
Anybody know what percentage of tfsi engines have this problem?
Is it more of a problem in A4 and A5?
Is there a particular cut-off point for things being ok? Did Audi sort things out by say 2011? Earlier? Still a problem?
Is it say 50%, 10% or 1%. The ones with no problem never get mentioned There are obviously 000's of these engines in many models, across the VAG group.
My son has a 2009 Golf 2.0 tfsi - no problem with oil
My mate 2012 Leon Cupra R 2.0 tfsi - no problem
My 2009 A3 1.8 tfsi - no problem
I don't understand why it is only some cars, so if I only bought a repaired car, would I have to ignore the majority of cars?
Is it say 50%, 10% or 1%. The ones with no problem never get mentioned There are obviously 000's of these engines in many models, across the VAG group.
My son has a 2009 Golf 2.0 tfsi - no problem with oil
My mate 2012 Leon Cupra R 2.0 tfsi - no problem
My 2009 A3 1.8 tfsi - no problem
I don't understand why it is only some cars, so if I only bought a repaired car, would I have to ignore the majority of cars?
Its only affects engines in A4s, possibly A5s. The other VAG brands are not affected.
I don't know if its down to the plant that assembled the engines, a certain revision of one engine code (although all called 2.0 TFSI there will be several different variations of the engine, designated by engine code).
Either way IMHO you're asking for trouble by buying the car you are seeking unless you know for sure the issue is not apparent/will not affect that particular vehicle.
IIRC the problem was evident as late as 2013 but don't quote me on that.
I don't know if its down to the plant that assembled the engines, a certain revision of one engine code (although all called 2.0 TFSI there will be several different variations of the engine, designated by engine code).
Either way IMHO you're asking for trouble by buying the car you are seeking unless you know for sure the issue is not apparent/will not affect that particular vehicle.
IIRC the problem was evident as late as 2013 but don't quote me on that.
Best guide as to what to avoid is the models covered in the US class action settlement.
http://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2014/audi-oil-consumption-lawsuit.shtml said:
... any 2009 model year Audi A4 vehicle, 2010 model year Audi A4 and A5 vehicle, or 2011 model year Audi A4, Audi A5, and Audi Q5, originally equipped with a factory-installed 2.0 liter TFSI longitudinal engine bearing Audi internal engine code CAEB
So for A4's, I'd avoid any pre-facelift A4 B8 with a 2.0 TFSI. (i.e., like mine...)Once again some very helpful advice.
As to what I am looking at, well like I say I have the 1.8 tfsi (160bhp) in a A3 SB. This goes well and is pretty good on fuel. But I like the look of the A4, the interiors seem a step up from the A3 especially in S Line, it is a heavier car so thought the 2.0 tfsi engine would be a better choice (quite a few of the 1.8 A4 seem to be 120bhp versions) and hope I don't miss the hatchback, the Avants are also nice.
I lived with diesels for 10 years and I do enjoy petrol now, but this oil issue is making me think maybe a 3.0 tdi would be a good choice? But I would like petrol as I don't do the miles like I used to.
A friend has a A4 (tdi) with 135k on it and it is rattle free and looks much less mileage for the interior which has worn very well.
All cars have issues but when it involves wrecked or rebuilt engines it gets very serious. The A4 seems to tick all the boxes except the 'what if I get a problem engine'.
I read on another thread there seemed to a shared thought that Audi were covering the cost of any engines having this problem? If so it would maybe be worth a punt on a good history car? Does anybody know how common the problem is?
As to what I am looking at, well like I say I have the 1.8 tfsi (160bhp) in a A3 SB. This goes well and is pretty good on fuel. But I like the look of the A4, the interiors seem a step up from the A3 especially in S Line, it is a heavier car so thought the 2.0 tfsi engine would be a better choice (quite a few of the 1.8 A4 seem to be 120bhp versions) and hope I don't miss the hatchback, the Avants are also nice.
I lived with diesels for 10 years and I do enjoy petrol now, but this oil issue is making me think maybe a 3.0 tdi would be a good choice? But I would like petrol as I don't do the miles like I used to.
A friend has a A4 (tdi) with 135k on it and it is rattle free and looks much less mileage for the interior which has worn very well.
All cars have issues but when it involves wrecked or rebuilt engines it gets very serious. The A4 seems to tick all the boxes except the 'what if I get a problem engine'.
I read on another thread there seemed to a shared thought that Audi were covering the cost of any engines having this problem? If so it would maybe be worth a punt on a good history car? Does anybody know how common the problem is?
Out of interest, what is the consequence of high (but 'within tolerance', i.e. <0.5 litres per 1000km) oil consumption in the EA888 series of engines? Considered opinion and actual experience are both of interest.
Obviously there is the expense of chucking good oil away and hassle having to monitor the level very closely, but what else? Is the oil passing the pistons completely combusted, or is it choking up the cat and lambda sensors? Are the rings retaining their initial 'mildly shagged' status, or will wear increase dramatically with time? Are the bores suffering?
Obviously there is the expense of chucking good oil away and hassle having to monitor the level very closely, but what else? Is the oil passing the pistons completely combusted, or is it choking up the cat and lambda sensors? Are the rings retaining their initial 'mildly shagged' status, or will wear increase dramatically with time? Are the bores suffering?
simion_levi said:
Out of interest, what is the consequence of high (but 'within tolerance', i.e. <0.5 litres per 1000km) oil consumption in the EA888 series of engines?
MOT emissions failure due to unburnt hydrocarbons, maybe? Lambda sensors contamination also possible: http://www.denso-am.eu/media/10216/dneu-lambda-sen...
Wear to rings (and thus bores) will increase with time : It's the ring/bore wear that lets oil into the combustion chambers. At 50K miles mine used a litre about every 3000 miles. At 65K, it's around one per 700 miles.
vapourtrail said:
I then heard about the Terraclean treatment, I had this carried out and can report a significant improvement in performance, and by all accounts looking at the spark plugs etc, a much much cleaner head. It cots about £90 for engines up to 2.0, but I went for the slightly more expensive £120 option designed for larger capcity engines - just basically more of the Terraclean fluid was used, to really make sure a proper clean up is done.
So they can now spray cleaner into the intake manifold to de-carbon the valves, swirl flaps and air plates? Interesting....SuperchargedVR6 said:
So they can now spray cleaner into the intake manifold to de-carbon the valves, swirl flaps and air plates? Interesting....
Not cleaner, a very very highly refined fuel, the engine actually runs on this fuel (they isolate the pump/fuel line) via the machine and its decarbonises the engineSteBrown91 said:
SuperchargedVR6 said:
So they can now spray cleaner into the intake manifold to de-carbon the valves, swirl flaps and air plates? Interesting....
Not cleaner, a very very highly refined fuel, the engine actually runs on this fuel (they isolate the pump/fuel line) via the machine and its decarbonises the engineManOpener said:
Standard TerraClean apparently doesn't work on direct injection engines. They sell a special tool/attachment thing for cleaning DI valvetrains but I've struggled to find places that actually have it.
Yeah that's what I thought. A chemical sprayed in through the air temp sensor hole would have to be extremely potent (and quick) at breaking down carbon, and evenly across all 4 cylinders. BMW / VAG must have investigated that before coming up with nut shell blasting as a solution?
I like how the new Polo GTI comes with 4 port injectors, in addition to the 4 direct ones
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