Low Oil
11-28-2006, 12:55 PM
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Low Oil
Have a 1999.5 A4 2.8 with 83k miles. Im losing oil, but its not leaking so it must be burning. I know audis are "known" to burn oil, but has anyone else had this problem and have a diagnosis? anyway to fix it?
11-28-2006, 01:58 PM
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If the oil doesn't hit the ground, it's one of three things...
1. Oil is leaking out of the valve covers and burning off on the manifolds (stinky).
2. Oil is ending up in the cooling system. One hopes you would have noticed this, so it's not likely. Bad oil cooler is the likely cause. Other causes are ugly.
3. I can't remember, but I remember one individual tracing the cause of lost oil to some kind of problem inside the engine (oil wasn't being burned off in combustion, it was something else). You'll have to search (needle in a haystack...but at least you know it's there) to find the post I'm thinking of.
A compression test isn't a bad idea. Of course that assumes you've confirmed there is a significant amount of oil being lost.
2. Oil is ending up in the cooling system. One hopes you would have noticed this, so it's not likely. Bad oil cooler is the likely cause. Other causes are ugly.
3. I can't remember, but I remember one individual tracing the cause of lost oil to some kind of problem inside the engine (oil wasn't being burned off in combustion, it was something else). You'll have to search (needle in a haystack...but at least you know it's there) to find the post I'm thinking of.
A compression test isn't a bad idea. Of course that assumes you've confirmed there is a significant amount of oil being lost.
11-28-2006, 02:17 PM
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You haven't checked the valve cover gaskets, cam seals/plugs and the tensioner seals yet?
Or maybe you just haven't checked them all... a small inspection mirror and a flashlight can work wonders for finding those "behind the engine" leaks.
11-28-2006, 03:19 PM
#7
A comment....
I found our 30v 2.8 used far less oil after replacing the pvc(black octapus of a hose, about $85). You did not say how much your going through but I've found on our car which has 80k, will not need an oil top up even after 3-4k. Of course if you drive the car more agressively, and use lighter oil then you'll use some between changes.
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11-28-2006, 03:51 PM
#8
I did, and it's pretty tight
I did replace the VCG's a few months, a little bit of oil was sneaking passed, but nothing major. The belly pan is clean (as is my coolant), so it must be just burning it.
11-28-2006, 04:20 PM
#9
Cheap/thin oil burns faster. Stuck oil control rings are a possibility. Try a Hi-Miles 10w-40 for it
Maxlife or GTX HiMi should not burn faster than 1q/3000 miles in a normal engine. I had a cracked PCV hose in my 30v and re-did it with some red air hose. Forget 5w-30 dino in the engine, it burns and leaves deposits in the ring pack that makes more consumption. Excessive wear too. If you see super-cold temps, a 5w-40 synth. 40 weight is a must in that engine. In summer, try a 15w-40 diesel-rated that will clean a bit better and is really thick with robust base oil...if that burns, you have a problem. Auto-Rx.com has a good additive for ring packs/sludge and seal conditoning.
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