car using oil

[123tud]

Hello All,
probably another talked about thread,
My leon cupra (180) 2002 has used around a liter of oil in about 4 weeks,
she has 118k and remapped to 227, is it normal for this to happen?
There arent no leaks anywhere on the engine, im a little concerned about it to be honest

Cheers

 

[westie309]

They do use oil but that amount is very excessive


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[Dave_c85]

Any blue smoke from the exhaust at all?

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[123tud]

she seems to be smoke free,

 

[MM95]

I would guess its blocking up somewhere... have you checked the oil pickup pipe?

 

[123tud]

I haven't checked this, what do I look out for when I take the sump off?

 

[MM95]

There is normally a little mesh that sits in front of the pipe and that is known to block up easily on the 1.8T engine, think the R is worse than the 180. When you drop the sump it should be pretty clear if the mesh is blocked or not.

This guide should cover everything for you

 

[brad_barker12]

I would guess its blocking up somewhere... have you checked the oil pickup pipe?

How would a blocked oil pickup be the the reason why the OP is using oil?
Using oil could be something as simple as the following...

Blocked breather hoses as the standard hoses collapse over time from the heat and oil contamination. This creates more pressure inside the engine as it's not breathing as intended and can force oil past the piston rings etc.

Worn piston rings. This would allow oil to seep past the rings into the cylinders so the oil will burn off, you should notice this as the car will produce smoke from the exhaust, normally blue and it doesn't smell very pleasant.

Valve stem oil seals. Again this would be noticeable through smoke from the exhaust.

An external leak such as rocker cover gasket, sump gasket etc check for leaks around the engine.

I have noticed on previous cars I've owned and not necessarily cared about that some cheap oils tend to be consumed more, also old engine oil that hasn't been changed in a while tends to burn off quickly. Try using a quality oil or give it an oil change anyway. These engines use 5w30 or 5w40 fully synthetic.


A blocked pickup would cause oil starvation. early signs can be the Vvt rattle on startup as this relies on oil pressure to operate. On the other end of the scale the engine would knock and sound tappy along with the oil pressure light illuminating which would result in engine failure.
A blocked pickup would have no affect on oil consumption.

There is normally a little mesh that sits in front of the pipe and that is known to block up easily on the 1.8T engine, think the R is worse than the 180. When you drop the sump it should be pretty clear if the mesh is blocked or not.

This guide should cover everything for you

The oil pressure problem due to a blocked pickup affects all 1.8t engines that haven't been serviced regularly. Not just the cupra r range but all VWs Audis, Skodas and Seats fitted with the 1.8t engine.
In fact audi were worse for it as they put all there cars on long life service plans when the 1.8t was first introduced. It wasn't long before people were having problems so they reduced the service interval.

 

[MM95]

Well if the pipe blocks then the oil isn't going to be flowing around the car and therefore there would appear to be a drop in the oil level?

That's what I've been told anyway so was just trying to give suggestions as no one else had so far! Given how straight forward it is to check the pickup pipe, there is no harm in doing it anyway.

OP has already stated that there is no smoke...

 

[betty_swollox]

OP has already stated that there is no smoke...

Aye, but he listed 4 other things that didnt mention smoke

 

[123tud]

obviously its best start with the simple things then work my way up,
maybe its best to check my breathers for blockages and go from there,

I've had many VW's in the passed but this is my first 20vt, and i'm not going to lie, i'm not that up to date with the engine lay out etc!!!

Can anyone point out to me witch breather i should check?

can a blocked breather cause damage??

Thank you for all your replies!

 

[123tud]

while im here,
The big debate about 5.30w and 5.40w engine oil?

for me personally witch oil would be better suited for my engine

i would like to say that i am not asking witch oil is best!!! we will be here years debating other wise
but i got a engine that's oil is disappearing and done 118k with a map, would the 5.40 be better suited?

 

[Ryan6926]

I've used 5w 40 in mine, I asked in the Opie Section in here for recommendations and that's what came back

I use Shell Helix Ultra 5W 40 and not had any issues so far

 

[markpile]

I just put asda 5w30 fully synthetic in mine to give it a wash round as it hadn't had a change for over 2 years, so instead of buying good oil to waste in a months time I've put this in give it a month to free up any crap then do another change with a decent 5w40 and filter

 

[waynedunn1234]

my 2p on this is there is only 2 things a engine does to lose oil and the is leak it or burn it.
another question
have you serviced it recently and not accounted for oil filter taken extra oil if you didn't fill it

 

[123tud]

Update: just came back from a 140 mile trip
I had dropped off my friend but when I went to pull off I noticed a small puff off smoke white in colour. Could this be a clue?

 

[Lowry020505]

Pull the intake pipe off where it goes to the manifold, check for oil in there, a little bit is fine but if you run your finger around the edge of the hose and you get wet oil on your finger then your turbos at fault, but it would be blue smoke if it's burning oil, I think white smoke is over fueling,,

Is you coolant clean? Any oil in there? Any mayo on the underside of the oil cap?

 

[brad_barker12]

Well if the pipe blocks then the oil isn't going to be flowing around the car and therefore there would appear to be a drop in the oil level?

That's what I've been told anyway so was just trying to give suggestions as no one else had so far! Given how straight forward it is to check the pickup pipe, there is no harm in doing it anyway.

OP has already stated that there is no smoke...

But a blocked pickup wouldn't make the oil level drop. The dipstick takes its reading from the sump. I don't get how oil level would drop due to blocked pick up its impossible.

 

[waynedunn1234]

Update: just came back from a 140 mile trip
I had dropped off my friend but when I went to pull off I noticed a small puff off smoke white in colour. Could this be a clue?

if you noticed this will be seals in turbo hot side.

 

[brad_barker12]

Update: just came back from a 140 mile trip
I had dropped off my friend but when I went to pull off I noticed a small puff off smoke white in colour. Could this be a clue?

Could be burning it. First thing is to check breathers this can cause the smokey exhaust your seeing. Start at the easy stuff first I say. Take a look and get back to us.

Pull the intake pipe off where it goes to the manifold, check for oil in there, a little bit is fine but if you run your finger around the edge of the hose and you get wet oil on your finger then your turbos at fault, but it would be blue smoke if it's burning oil, I think white smoke is over fueling,,

Is you coolant clean? Any oil in there? Any mayo on the underside of the oil cap?

Oil in the intercooler pipework is down to the breathers mainly. Everyone who has the standard breather setup will have it to a certain degree. I've eliminated this by fitting a catch tank