A4 Burning Oil LIKE CRAZY

[presco135]

So the last couple months i've been monitoring the oil consumption on my wife's A4 because since it has hit the 100k mileage mark it has been losing oil like crazy... got an oil change from the dealership at 115,551.... oil min light came on today at 117,051.... that is almost 5 quarts of oil gone in 1,500 miles... with that said she is burning a qt of oil every 300 miles... THATS ABSURD! I read on a couple posts that it is normal with this year and with the turbo model because it's a pressurized crankcase and oil seeps past the piston rings but these people complaining are getting about 600-800 miles/qt. I have changed the PCV valve about 4,000 miles ago because it went out so that fix is already out the window. The other fix that people are saying that can be done is the piston rings... we all know how big of a PITA that is... might as well completely overhaul the motor. Anyway.... just looking for opinions and thoughts as to why and what else could be done? Is it just something that we are going to have to live with unfortunately? Please advise... thanks!

[aluthman]

Ha! Dude, the low oil light comes on when you are down by 1 quart. My old motor was ACTUALLY burning a quart in under 300 miles. You're still in decent shape, but you may have a valve cover issue. Also check around the oil filter housing for a leak.

[Theiceman]

Yeah for the price of a gasket I'd thoroughly Check that vc


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[pezgoon]

So the last couple months i've been monitoring the oil consumption on my wife's A4 because since it has hit the 100k mileage mark it has been losing oil like crazy... got an oil change from the dealership at 115,551.... oil min light came on today at 117,051.... that is almost 5 quarts of oil gone in 1,500 miles... with that said she is burning a qt of oil every 300 miles... THATS ABSURD! I read on a couple posts that it is normal with this year and with the turbo model because it's a pressurized crankcase and oil seeps past the piston rings but these people complaining are getting about 600-800 miles/qt. I have changed the PCV valve about 4,000 miles ago because it went out so that fix is already out the window. The other fix that people are saying that can be done is the piston rings... we all know how big of a PITA that is... might as well completely overhaul the motor. Anyway.... just looking for opinions and thoughts as to why and what else could be done? Is it just something that we are going to have to live with unfortunately? Please advise... thanks!

Ummmmmmm 5 quarts of oil? How much you think is in there?

You'd had seized the engine long before you reached 5 quarts burned. Like aluthman said, the light comes on at 1 quart down. Even the oil pressure light comes on at like 1.5 quart or 2 down. The engine takes 5 quarts from dry

1 quart in 1500 is fine


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[Audibot]

Ummmmmmm 5 quarts of oil? How much you think is in there?

You'd had seized the engine long before you reached 5 quarts burned. Like aluthman said, the light comes on at 1 quart down. Even the oil pressure light comes on at like 1.5 quart or 2 down. The engine takes 5 quarts from dry

1 quart in 1500 is fine


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I think you meant to say "1 quart in 1500 is livable".

It's not fine--these cars should not be burning oil, at least not nearly like this. Adam had an extreme case that a few others did. Mine used to burn it in ~2000-2500 miles of normal driving. God forbid when I would get stuck in traffic jams. One winter, it was snowy and icy, and I was stuck for about 2 hours in traffic, all less than 1/2 mile from home. Wound up having to put 2 quarts of oil in the car because she burned through it.

That's about the only thing I don't miss from my B7...

[noob5]

Aside from the oil consumption, the most immediate concern is whether OP dumped 5 qts of oil into the engine when it was only down 1 qt???

[dalmation53]

OP if you decide to do a cylinder head gasket or any other gaskets i have new ones from victor reinz that i'm selling.

[80sGuy]

So the last couple months i've been monitoring the oil consumption on my wife's A4 because since it has hit the 100k mileage mark it has been losing oil like crazy... got an oil change from the dealership at 115,551.... oil min light came on today at 117,051.... that is almost 5 quarts of oil gone in 1,500 miles... with that said she is burning a qt of oil every 300 miles... THATS ABSURD! I read on a couple posts that it is normal with this year and with the turbo model because it's a pressurized crankcase and oil seeps past the piston rings but these people complaining are getting about 600-800 miles/qt. I have changed the PCV valve about 4,000 miles ago because it went out so that fix is already out the window. The other fix that people are saying that can be done is the piston rings... we all know how big of a PITA that is... might as well completely overhaul the motor. Anyway.... just looking for opinions and thoughts as to why and what else could be done? Is it just something that we are going to have to live with unfortunately? Please advise... thanks!

Dude just add half a quart and you should be good. Make sure to check if there's any leaks around the valve cover gasket.

[pezgoon]

I think you meant to say "1 quart in 1500 is livable".

It's not fine--these cars should not be burning oil, at least not nearly like this. Adam had an extreme case that a few others did. Mine used to burn it in ~2000-2500 miles of normal driving. God forbid when I would get stuck in traffic jams. One winter, it was snowy and icy, and I was stuck for about 2 hours in traffic, all less than 1/2 mile from home. Wound up having to put 2 quarts of oil in the car because she burned through it.

That's about the only thing I don't miss from my B7...

Hmmm I coulda sworn I read a thread from someone whom was getting his consumption checked at a dealer and they didn't consider 1500 out of spec but I cannot remember where it was ( it was back when I first got the car last year I saw it) but I would love to know what Audi's spec for it is before it's an issue.

On a side note why do these cars use so much? I have never seen anyone with solid suggestions as to why, it seems to generally be centered around the valve cover failing but I didn't know if it could be the piston rings/valves seats or what have you. I plan to have my car for a long while yet so I'm curious to know for the long run (right now I don't burn any between oil changes, many an imperceptible amount)

Also the last car I had ( a civic) burned a quart in under 300, maybe 250? Maybe 150? I never really tracked it as I didn't care about the thing and it ended up losing a cylinder (I believed it was the valve seats) 1500 certainly could be worse lol


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[Theiceman]

Hmmm I coulda sworn I read a thread from someone whom was getting his consumption checked at a dealer and they didn't consider 1500 out of spec but I cannot remember where it was ( it was back when I first got the car last year I saw it) but I would love to know what Audi's spec for it is before it's an issue.

On a side note why do these cars use so much? I have never seen anyone with solid suggestions as to why, it seems to generally be centered around the valve cover failing but I didn't know if it could be the piston rings/valves seats or what have you. I plan to have my car for a long while yet so I'm curious to know for the long run (right now I don't burn any between oil changes, many an imperceptible amount)

Also the last car I had ( a civic) burned a quart in under 300, maybe 250? Maybe 150? I never really tracked it as I didn't care about the thing and it ended up losing a cylinder (I believed it was the valve seats) 1500 certainly could be worse lol


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i think that was Audibots point . Manufacturers might consider that "normal" so they dont get into costly warranty repairs, but it really isn't. I have had many high performance cars that will go oil change to oil change without topping off anything.

In fact my 2009 290 HP maxima was a rocket for a 4 door sedan and went down practically zero and i had it for 150K.

[yxri]

i think that was Audibots point . Manufacturers might consider that "normal" so they dont get into costly warranty repairs, but it really isn't. I have had many high performance cars that will go oil change to oil change without topping off anything.

In fact my 2009 290 HP maxima was a rocket for a 4 door sedan and went down practically zero and i had it for 150K.

Turbos will eat oil. Its natural. Mine looses a quart every 2500 miles.

[pezgoon]

i think that was Audibots point . Manufacturers might consider that "normal" so they dont get into costly warranty repairs, but it really isn't. I have had many high performance cars that will go oil change to oil change without topping off anything.

In fact my 2009 290 HP maxima was a rocket for a 4 door sedan and went down practically zero and i had it for 150K.

Ah that makes sense. They use it as a scapegoat

That is especially why I'm curious as to what causes the oil burning for our cars in the first place, and how much is that the fault of audi that they won't admit


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[B72.0T]

Get use to it. My former B7 used more oil than fuel

[80sGuy]

Hmmm I coulda sworn I read a thread from someone whom was getting his consumption checked at a dealer and they didn't consider 1500 out of spec but I cannot remember where it was ( it was back when I first got the car last year I saw it) but I would love to know what Audi's spec for it is before it's an issue.

On a side note why do these cars use so much? I have never seen anyone with solid suggestions as to why, it seems to generally be centered around the valve cover failing but I didn't know if it could be the piston rings/valves seats or what have you. I plan to have my car for a long while yet so I'm curious to know for the long run (right now I don't burn any between oil changes, many an imperceptible amount)

Also the last car I had ( a civic) burned a quart in under 300, maybe 250? Maybe 150? I never really tracked it as I didn't care about the thing and it ended up losing a cylinder (I believed it was the valve seats) 1500 certainly could be worse lol


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With that said, I've never had a car that burns oil like my B7, then again this is my first turbocharger. I lose about a quart every 1K-1.5K miles depending on the severity of my driving. I'm currently at 63,000 miles and recently had the Valve Cover Gasket replaced along with a new Oil Dipstick and it is holding up well, not losing as much as before.

[supple]

I'm at 217k on my B7. I bought it at 175k and gaskets may have been replaced then and I know my oil filter housing and turbo are leaking slightly. I lose about 1/2-3/4 quart every 5k oil change. Not enough to turn on the low oil light. I use to lose a quart between oil changes and I changed my PCV breather hose (was really fucked).

[yxri]

Just check your oil every month. Or sooner if you notice a huge drop in the dip stick.

[klrider44]

i think that was Audibots point . Manufacturers might consider that "normal" so they dont get into costly warranty repairs, but it really isn't. I have had many high performance cars that will go oil change to oil change without topping off anything.

In fact my 2009 290 HP maxima was a rocket for a 4 door sedan and went down practically zero and i had it for 150K.

Good ol VQ. I used to own a 350z with the DE engine. I beat the piss outta that thing and never lost a drop of oil. That engine was so solid, the transmission was a different story though. I had that replaced twice, the early 350z's (pre 2006) were known for syncro issues and that is what I had to deal with. Really do miss that car


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[flavormonkey]

the light comes on at 1 quart down. Even the oil pressure light comes on at like 1.5 quart or 2 down. The engine takes 5 quarts from dry
Audizine

WHAT!!! That's crazy...and seriously news to me.

@OP - You probably have a valve cover gasket leak. Also, there's another gasket in the back of the engine below the fuel pump that can leak. I have a small one of those ATM, but i still won't burn >1Quart per 5k miles

[blitz2190]

Turbos will eat oil. Its natural. Mine looses a quart every 2500 miles.

Thats not terrible, but damn funny people saying that a quart every 300 is normal, may as well not even do an oil change at that point you've already replaced the oil 3 times in 5k haha. That said no engine should burn more than a quart every oil change if its running correctly and everything is functioning correctly. But I replied to this comment as just becuase a car has a turbo does not mean it will eat oil, my 1.8t drops maybe an 1/8-1/4 quart between changes (every 5k) this last one was up to a 1/2 quart because I think my PCV is on its way out. If someone came to our shop and said they burned that much we would be like , damn somethings wrong.

[pezgoon]

Maybe it's our terrible pcv systems? They are a known issue

Maybe it's everyone saying that the car needs to be beaten to run well too lol

Although I'm sure there are those who beat the shit out of there's and barely use any oil

@ 80'sGuy that really blows, mines at 45k and uses none at all, atleast since I tightened the vc bolts, it was owned by an actual old lady though so maybe that has something to do with it

I also idle it for atleast 1 minute but no more than 3 for the first start in the morning and idle it for atleast 1 min, longer if I've driven it hard, every time I stop it. Whether it's summer or winter. We'll see in 100k if it's worth the effort lol


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[Militant-Grunt]

I would check if you actually have an oil leak(and I mean a leak, straight drip at that consumption), if you don't the second thing I'd check is one of the turbo hoses, if something like a quart of oil comes out of the turbocharger pipe, your issue lies there. The last thing, and this sucks, you'll need pistons / piston rings. Just like the TSI EA888 engines, the FSI motor does experience this failure, and sadly the only way to fix is to replace and redo.

[80sGuy]

Maybe it's our terrible pcv systems? They are a known issue

Maybe it's everyone saying that the car needs to be beaten to run well too lol

Although I'm sure there are those who beat the shit out of there's and barely use any oil

@ 80'sGuy that really blows, mines at 45k and uses none at all, atleast since I tightened the vc bolts, it was owned by an actual old lady though so maybe that has something to do with it

I also idle it for atleast 1 minute but no more than 3 for the first start in the morning and idle it for atleast 1 min, longer if I've driven it hard, every time I stop it. Whether it's summer or winter. We'll see in 100k if it's worth the effort lol


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After replacing the valve cover gasket, I realized there were some misting residue next to the cover by coil #1, very little and would require days to actually see some faint oily stains around the area. I thought the gasket was somehow loose and oil was seeping through and out from the spark plug chamber. Removed coils to inspect and realize it wasn't the case. I then traced the culprit back to the lower rubber pcv (Turbo) inlet and thought it wasn't secured tight enough, evidenced by some shiny oil on the end. Refastened the Home Depot replacement screw-type clamp and it is all good now. But yeah before that I was adding 1/4 to 1/2 quart after long road trips. Since then, along with the new vc gasket and dipstick I have not seen any residues, and the car definitely ran tighter. Check oil level every now and then and it is holding up to level according to the dipstick.

[Avant4me]

Valve cover failure is really common too. Fixed my oil consumption issues

[aluthman]

Based on OP not responding I'm guessing troll?

[Brillo]

^^ I agree. Who posts a thread like this and then disappears? Kill the thread.

[heateris]

Valve cover failure is really common too. Fixed my oil consumption issues

I had my valve cover replace because it was warped and leaking at the front drivers corner. I has also seems to cure my oil consumption. It's only been about 1 month and ~550 miles, but the level hasn't gone down at all. I was burning thru about 1qt every 1200 miles.

I should add that I replaced the PCV https://www.europaparts.com/breather...-late-vin.html system about a year ago.


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[Theiceman]

These threads are always good for others looking.
I think many people don't understand the vc can be broken internally. Just because it isn't leaking at the gaskets doesn't mean it's good


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[klrider44]

These threads are always good for others looking.
I think many people don't understand the vc can be broken internally. Just because it isn't leaking at the gaskets doesn't mean it's good


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I'm thinking this might be what is going on in my case. Previous oil change I didn't have to add any oil. Now I'm adding a quart about every 1500 miles since I did my valve cover gasket. I'm thinking the actually cover may now be damaged.


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[80sGuy]

I'm thinking this might be what is going on in my case. Previous oil change I didn't have to add any oil. Now I'm adding a quart about every 1500 miles since I did my valve cover gasket. I'm thinking the actually cover may now be damaged.


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Do you see any leaks around the vc/gasket area? Maybe the gasket needs to be re-seat or re-torqued correctly. Did you replace the gasket yourself?

[klrider44]

Do you see any leaks around the vc/gasket area? Maybe the gasket needs to be re-seat or re-torqued correctly. Did you replace the gasket yourself?

I didn't do it my self, my buddy was putting some new axles on the car cause he has a lift and he did it then. It doesn't show any signs of leaking.


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[heateris]

I had my valve cover replace because it was warped and leaking at the front drivers corner. I has also seems to cure my oil consumption. It's only been about 1 month and ~550 miles, but the level hasn't gone down at all. I was burning thru about 1qt every 1200 miles.

I should add that I replaced the PCV https://www.europaparts.com/breather...-late-vin.html system about a year ago.


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I should probably update this comment.

It seems that the new valve cover DIDN'T solve my oil consumption.


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[Low and Behold]

I should probably update this comment.

It seems that the new valve cover DIDN'T solve my oil consumption.


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Is the oil collecting in your intercoolers?

If not it could be turbo seals or rings . I'd say check your compression first