Burning oil, but no sign of a leak?

[naiku]

I had my oil changed by the dealership about 2000 miles ago, I checked it a couple days ago, and it already looks like it is in the middle of the Min/Max lines. I know that the 2.0T can burn some oil, but that seems like a lot of oil to have burnt in that short of a time.

I never notice any oil on the floor where I park, but do occasionally notice a slight oil smell coming through the vents. Car is driven mostly commuting to work and back, 50% highway, 40% main roads, 10% backroads, so it is not really what I would call driven hard at all.

I checked the sticky, but don't really get any of the symptoms described there. The only one that mentions oil is the PCV failing, and to be honest, I have no idea where the PCV valve is to look around that area. Also tried a search, but could not find much (even though I am certain there is some info out there in another thread).

The only other symptom (if you can call it that) is that twice I have had what felt like a hesitation in accelerating, the first time was before I had the oil changed though and was accelerating fairly hard, and the second time was today whilst gradually accelerating. Any ideas? Thanks.

Edit: Car is 100% stock, 48k miles.

[n00bys3v3n]

I go thru an add'l quart every 10K miles or so. Dealership says it's normal and OK as long as I check often and refill as needed.

[Con]

i had the same issue. I think the dealer just "forgot" to change the oil as part of teh scheduled maintenance.

I got the 35k mile checkup. I looked at my oil at 37k.

It was under minimum.

[naiku]

i had the same issue. I think the dealer just "forgot" to change the oil as part of teh scheduled maintenance.

That (somewhat sadly) was my first thought. Bit crap really when I have that much faith in my dealer that the first thing to enter my head is that they did not change the oil.

I think I will give it a look over to see if anything is leaking, if it is then schedule it at the dealer, but will add some and keep an eye on it.

[RAI Motorsport]

your symptoms with the smell sound like a bad gasket (head gasket, valve cover). look around the exhaust manifold area to see of there are leaks. if its not puddling on the driveway it is burning off, this is your smell, maybe. it might also only be doing it when the revs are higher. not when the car is off.

[wrtickle]

2.0ts burn a fair amount of oil anyways, though. I add about one extra quart after 8k mi, which is holds me over until the change at 10k.

[scoobycarolan]

PCV could be it to. I get the same whiff every now and again.

[cjnesher]

x2

Just had the same issue, turned out to be Crankcase Breather (PCV). Try and turn the oil fill cap when the cars running. If it doesn't move you need to look in to the front and rear Crankcase Breather.

[naiku]

Well, I had a look around the engine last night and could not see any oil anywhere. It looked like there was some around the oil filter (if I am right that the oil filter is a large round plastic cylinder down and to the right of the engine if you are standing at the front of the car). Also felt like there might have been a tiny bit around something on top of the engine, towards the back of the engine and slightly off to the right (sorry, I don't know what is what on this engine!!).

I did find a coolant leak though, some is leaking out of the hose down behind the fan at the front of the car, looks like where the hose coming out of the reservoir goes into a plastic piece. So either way, I will be booking it into the dealership over the next couple days, and have them fix that, and also take a look at the oil usage.

[cjnesher]

Well, I had a look around the engine last night and could not see any oil anywhere. It looked like there was some around the oil filter (if I am right that the oil filter is a large round plastic cylinder down and to the right of the engine if you are standing at the front of the car). Also felt like there might have been a tiny bit around something on top of the engine, towards the back of the engine and slightly off to the right (sorry, I don't know what is what on this engine!!).

I did find a coolant leak though, some is leaking out of the hose down behind the fan at the front of the car, looks like where the hose coming out of the reservoir goes into a plastic piece. So either way, I will be booking it into the dealership over the next couple days, and have them fix that, and also take a look at the oil usage.

Did you try removing the oil fill cap with the car running?

[BLACKa4QUAT]

i have an 06, and i'm at ~53k miles. i changed the oil at ~51k after 5k miles, and i have had unnoticeable oil consumption, dipstick was at full before i changed it.. not all 2.0ts consume oil.

[naiku]

Did you try removing the oil fill cap with the car running?

Not yet, but I did not see your post until I got to work this morning. Will give that a try when I get home this evening.

[vwnobby]

Just dropped off my car at the dealer today because I was getting oil around the filler cap and in the bolt holes near the coils. I've also had to add a full quart of oil after 4000 miles.
Dealer called me back and said that the valve cover was "faulty" or "mismanufactured" as he put it, and needed to be replaced. According to them, this was the source of the oil. I still think it is the PCV, but we'll see when I get the car back.

[plantdude]

After reading this I am worried my car may have an issue. Bought a CPO with 24K. Supposedly the 25K mile service was done by the dealer (although not marked in the booklet that came with the car). I'm now at 28K and the low oil light has come on twice. I added a full quart each time, per the recommendation of the dealer. I've never noticed oil leaking or an oil smell.

[AudiTFSI3o3]

im havin this issue right now. changed the oil at 43k..now its about 44444 and min oil alarm came up?? been about 1500 miles and im already low??

[ItsThat2.0T]

for the OP:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=260941

[jamesj2k]

check the valve cover gasket. Its leaked slowly and collected right on top of my bottom plastic cover on my 30k B7 A4. I only noticed the leak when changing Oil/Filter.

[4ringcircus]

PVC. I could smell oil when sitting at a stop light. Also, there was often a hesitation around 3200 rpm under medium/medium heavy acceleration. I installed the BSH stage 1 pvc fix for about $100. The acceleration is now stronger than ever (bought a high mileage used). the oil smell has almost completely gone away, (I can occasionally still smell it). This is an inexpensive mod that will improve horse power, mpg, and the life of your engine.