2016 Q5 Suddenly Using Oil

[tcohrs93]

Have a 2016 Q5 with the 2.0T engine we purchased new. Only has about 65,000 miles on it currently. We have always used Liqui Moly 5W-40 fully synthetic oil and changed at 5,000 miles. Previously the oil would always be right on the full mark prior to doing the oil change. Last time around we made it to 4,000 miles and the low oil light came on. Dumped in 1 quart and continued to drive till the next scheduled change. After that last service we now only made it to 1,000 miles and the low oil light is already back on. Theres no way it could be suddenly burning that much oil could it? Been doing some reading and other people have mentioned possibly an issue with the PCV, Valve cover, or turbo itself causing it to use oil like this? Curious what your thought are on this? We really don't want to get rid of this vehicle already especially with such low miles on it. Thanks!!*

[GIACuser]

Well you are either leaking it or burning. Need to figure out which.

1. Plain leak would leave oil on the floor/driveway.
2. Oil can leak into coolant if head gasket damaged. (usually your coolant will look brown instead of red in the reservoir and your oil will be a bit milky when you pull filler cap off and look at it.
3. Turbo could be worn
4. Engine rings could be worn
5. PVC - replaced recently?
6. 2.0t valve covers have channels built into the underside of the cover to direct oil fumes across the motor. If the baffles have become damaged/old it can be a problem too.

Do a compression check on all 4 cylinders. If the rings are not holding compression that could be a problem (usually seen in exhaust as blue smoke)

Some ideas for you.

[Chillaxin]

You could have faulty oil control rings on your pistons. They get full of carbon and no longer scrape oil from the cylinder walls. I think the 2.0T in the A4s was switched to the revised piston design sometime in 2016, but not sure about the Q5 2.0T. If it is pistons, it is about $1800 in parts to fix, not including labor. I did it in my garage over 5 days straight. For your sake I hope that isn't the issue. Best of luck.

[eljay]

First, check for any wetness around the valve cover, engine bay and underneath. If everything is dry and clean, investigate the other areas above.
Also, make sure you "measure" the oil correctly: level ground, engine warmed up, but off, wait two minutes, check MMI then. Looking at it while driving is not the most accurate. I'm just saying that in case, you looked at the oil level while driving off after the last oil change thinking it was at max. It may not have been.