Passat r36 oil consumption

[Gerzos]

Hi all I have an r36 Passat. It's got 214,000km on it. Love it to bits. Done timing chains and replaced the gearbox already. Also did the flywheel. however I'm losing oil. Don't notice any blue smoke etc. Service history is great. Last interval I burnt around 500ml in 10,000km. But I checked today and I've done about 3000km since oil change and had to put in 500ml. Seems excessive. Using 5w30. Are these motors prone to oil burning?

[MIG]

Few people on here with BWS engines, so I am sure they will chime in.

With mine, I don't lose any oil between services, but it is way lower KMs than yours, 150kkm, places I would check valve cover gasket leaks and PCV valve leaks; if you did the chains and gearbox, I am guessing the rear main seal was done at the same time?

[Gerzos]

Yes rear main seal was done. Also in pretty sure pcv was done. I've also replaced the whole valve cover as the existed one kept leaking.

[kamold]

You can try a 5w40 see if the extra viscosity helps.
You can still stick with VW approved though there are only a few available on the market. Liquimoly and Nulon off the top of my head but don't quote me.

[Gerzos]

Okay. Can I use 5w40 as a top up even though it was serviced with 5w30?

Cheers!

[Gerzos]

also. Cant seem to find any 5w40 with VW approval 504/507

Hope this thicker oil can slow down consumption. Not really keen on replacing piston rings or valve steam seals.

[lloydus67]

Any oil is better than no oil.
However I would probably stick with the oil that you have to top up, if you run out that is different.
Next oil change, go to the 40 weight oil
The reason that you can’t find 504/507 spec oils is that that specification is 5w30 and it is designed for Europe. You will not find a 5w40 or 10w40 but you will find it in 502/505 VW spec
https://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2023/05/71a98e2c041bd9a1bf7ec203388b068d-1.jpg
https://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2023/05/13ca8fcfc3babf92d6df07fb48f9325f-1.jpg


Sent from me [emoji2957]

[Gerzos]

Ok thank you. Will try the 5w40 nylon this week and see how I go.

[h100vw]

Ok thank you. Will try the 5w40 nylon this week and see how I go.

There's no law that says an engine shouldn't use any oil. Some are way better than others. I would just top up when it needs it and not lose any sleep. I can't think of a car I have owned in nearly 40 years of driving that didn't use some oil between services.

[Umai Naa!!]

These are oil burners.

As others have said, 502/505 spec 5W40 will mitigate the consumption to a point.

[Passat my07]

It’s interesting that Penrite list hpr5 5/40 as an option for the 3.2L vr6 but only lists 5/30 for the 3.6?
Our 3.2 uses about 1Lt between services. I’ve always used hpr5 as I think the 5/30 is more aimed at economy rather than looking after the engine.
Any car will also use more if you drive it hard or tow.
I wouldn’t be worried about 500ml in 3000km.

[Gerzos]

Yep I'm not sure. I would like to know as well. Yeah well I don't even see any oil residue on the exhaust pipes... Only "soot" or unburnt fuel

[rgh0]

The VW standard 1 litre per 1000 km maximum oil consumption before they accept a warranty claim so you are a long way from that. I would use 5w40 Oil that meets the OEM spec.

[Old Navman]

In my B6 3.2lt with nearly 350K kms I use a thicker oil in summer time such as fully synthetic 15W50 since at those kms I don't need to worry too much about valve clearances anymore. In cooler months however I use 10W30 or 15W40. But I do agree that generally speaking some oil consumption, especially in older VW models, is typically expected.

High/er oil burning can also be caused by hotter running engine due to coolant deterioration. In my case the oil burning seem to vary from service to service but I suspect is due to factors such as style of driving, highway/city use ratio. I tend to change my engine oil every 5-7 thousand km as the price for oil is relatively cheap in comparison to having an engine change.

[Gerzos]

Wow nearly 350k. Amazing. What have you had to replace on it? Anything major?

[Old Navman]

Wow nearly 350k. Amazing. What have you had to replace on it? Anything major?

I've been lucky thus far nothing major but the PCV valve replacement (parts & labour) cost me a packet.
The EPB control module was probably my own fault but a second hand part was cheap and I've installed it myself. Same with upgraded Canbus module and radio head unit. Aside from that just wear and tear stuff - tires, brakes and rotors, front/rear suspension bushes, battery.

That said with this sort of mileage I'm acutely aware the cars' days are likely numbered. I'm getting 'creaks' from front struts, electric steering and Haldex coupling. Lately, I've been getting ESC warning light coming on now and then.
Still, I'm hopeful of getting to 500K km though - is it possible? Well, that a $64K question.