Is Burning Oil Common ???

[Escape2]

I have a 92 6/4 TSI w/ a E3 16G. The car has 57k orig. ml. and is in showroom condition. I am runnin Amsoil full syn. 10w30 and I am loosing about a half qt a week w/o a single drip in my garage. I have a small amount of blow back on the underside but it is very little and I have not had a moment to get it in the air to further investigate, but like I said not a single drip and it sits for days at a time.

Is this a common issue?? I have never had a car loose that much oil w/o a leak but this is my first turbo car so maybe it is to be expected??


Thanks,

Escape2

 

[dsmsucks]

No buring oil is not common. My car has over 160k miles with 160 compression across and doesnt burn oil at all.
Also, man thats some low miles for a 92 6/4.

 

[femmeDSM]

Actually, yes, it is somewhat common. I think you were confusing "common" with "normal". DSMs will burn oil for several reasons. My 91 GST burned about a quart a week when the turbo seals went. Like you, I didn't notice any oil in the garage, either, during that time.

Have you been noticing any exhaust smoke at all (especially blue or white, not necessarily at idle)? Have you run a compression test or checked to make sure the oil isn't mixing with the coolant? Oil can be "mysteriously" lost a number of ways...The turbo could be burning it due to bad seals, it could be leaking past your headgasket, or leaking into your valves, along with a number of other possibilities. A compression/leakdown test would be helpful in this case, as would (possibly) a "Seafoam" or MCCC treatment. If your turbo seals are going, you might notice white smoke coming from the turbo during the cleaning treatment.

 

[Escape2]

I have a lot of smoke or steam when cold. it is heavy through the first couple gears then clears away. I think it is steam as it disapates quickly but I am not certain.

The turbo was replaced by the previos owner who maintained it maticulously and the miles are confirmed orig. based on the title transactions. I even ahve the orig. window stick. and all dealer lit. from purchase.

I live near Lucas @ English Racing and I hear good thing about him in the forums so I guess I have a good reason to stop by his place now.

Also - No noticeable oil in coolant or vice versa.

 

[femmeDSM]

I have a lot of smoke or steam when cold. it is heavy through the first couple gears then clears away. I think it is steam as it disapates quickly but I am not certain.

The turbo was replaced by the previos owner who maintained it maticulously and the miles are confirmed orig. based on the title transactions. I even ahve the orig. window stick. and all dealer lit. from purchase.

I live near Lucas @ English Racing and I hear good thing about him in the forums so I guess I have a good reason to stop by his place now.

That's all well and good, but even "new" or "excellently maintained" parts can and will break

I'd recommend running a compression test.

The "smoke" you're experiencing sounds like normal warmup condensation to me, but a compression/leakdown test will give you a better idea. Burning that much oil is never a good thing, so you'll need to get it checked out. Good luck.

 

[Escape2]

We'll do. Thanks Guys.

 

[Steve_P]

with 57k miles you should be using NO oil on a healthy engine.

 

[PaulN]

I agree with all of the above. In addition to the compression test and leak down test go ahead and pull you're intake pipe off the front of the turbo as well and check and see if you have any shaft play at all. My Talon was burning through a quart of oil a week due to worn seals in the turbo and if that is the case you'll be able to feel the sloppiness in the turbine shaft just by feeling it.

Since I put my new engine and turbo in it doesn't burn a single drop of oil.