2.0 TDI 184 Excessive Oil Consumption.

[Alan16ac]

I have a 2015 Leon X-perience which has just ticked over 90,000 miles. It's using about 1 litre for every 1000 miles which seems extremely excessive. I've owned 2 x EA189 2.0 TDIs and 3 x EA288 TDIs. Some of them never needed topping up before servicing, and others maybe once in 8-9k but that's fine.

A bit worried about my car now, it runs spot on. But the oil consumption is concerning. Any ideas? I tried to search but didn't come up with much.

 

[Woody_72]

This could be an interesting thread. I have the same engine and it never had any issues until it hit 80,000. For weeks it'll burn no oil and then suddenly have a few days where it gets through it like it's going out of fashion and then back to not losing any again. Very odd.

 

[Drew306]

You need to make sure you use the correct VW oil eg (quantum/castrol edge). A guy at work serviced his 184 with oil from euro car parts and about a month after he noticed it had started using oil. He took it to the main dealer who told him if you use other oils it sticks the oil rings on the pistons and burns oil. They done an engine flush and put the correct oil in and after bout a month the oil usage stopped and its been good for years now.
What oil do you put in?

 

[Alan16ac]

You need to make sure you use the correct VW oil eg (quantum/castrol edge). A guy at work serviced his 184 with oil from euro car parts and about a month after he noticed it had started using oil. He took it to the main dealer who told him if you use other oils it sticks the oil rings on the pistons and burns oil. They done an engine flush and put the correct oil in and after bout a month the oil usage stopped and its been good for years now.
What oil do you put in?

The car was serviced at WCC, and they’re a specialist, so I assume they have used the correct oil. I’ve topped up with Castrol Edge 5w30 VW 507.00 spec. I’ve not had the car long so no idea what oil was in it previously. I did notice a significant increase in economy after having it serviced at WCC weirdly.

 

[Drew306]

When I bought my 184 last year the first thing I did was change the oil & filter even though it had just been serviced before (it was serviced for the sale as it was due) , I knew evans halshaw would have just used the cheapest oil. But even though I changed the oil and that I had to put a 1/4 litre in after 2 weeks then again after 4 weeks and after that nothing since.

So with yours I would give it a month and keep an eye on it and if its still using oil I would do another oil and filter change on it and treat the oil WCC put in as a engine flush, it will only cost £40 from Seat Motor parts and if you register through this forum you will get a small discount.
Hopefully this help solve your problem.

Links bellow for oil & filter

Castrol Edge 5W30 LL Fully Synthetic Engine Oil 5 Litres 5L

Castrol Edge Professional LongLife II 5W-30 with savings off RRP! Buy your Castrol Edge 5W30 online at Seat Motor Parts today. In Stock ✔

www.seatmotorparts.co.uk

Genuine SEAT Leon 1.6 & 2.0 Diesel Oil Filter 2013-2020 (03N115562B) - Cox Motor Parts

Buy Genuine SEAT Leon 1.6 & 2.0 Diesel Oil Filter 2013-2020 (03N115562B) from Cox Motor Parts. Learn more.

www.seatmotorparts.co.uk

 

[SuperV8]

When I bought my 184 last year the first thing I did was change the oil & filter even though it had just been serviced before (it was serviced for the sale as it was due) , I knew evans halshaw would have just used the cheapest oil. But even though I changed the oil and that I had to put a 1/4 litre in after 2 weeks then again after 4 weeks and after that nothing since.

So with yours I would give it a month and keep an eye on it and if its still using oil I would do another oil and filter change on it and treat the oil WCC put in as a engine flush, it will only cost £40 from Seat Motor parts and if you register through this forum you will get a small discount.
Hopefully this help solve your problem.

Links bellow for oil & filter

Castrol Edge 5W30 LL Fully Synthetic Engine Oil 5 Litres 5L

Castrol Edge Professional LongLife II 5W-30 with savings off RRP! Buy your Castrol Edge 5W30 online at Seat Motor Parts today. In Stock ✔

www.seatmotorparts.co.uk

Genuine SEAT Leon 1.6 & 2.0 Diesel Oil Filter 2013-2020 (03N115562B) - Cox Motor Parts

Buy Genuine SEAT Leon 1.6 & 2.0 Diesel Oil Filter 2013-2020 (03N115562B) from Cox Motor Parts. Learn more.

www.seatmotorparts.co.uk

There has been a change in the VAG spec for 507 and the latest stuff is 0w-30

Would be interesting to confirm which oil has been used?

"Original VW Longlife III FE 0W30 engine oil. (VW catalog number - GS55545). Replacing discontinued VW Longlife III 5W30 oil (VW catalog number - G052195). Used in Volkswagen vehicles that require 504.00 or 507.00 standards."

Longlife III FE 0W30 507 engine oil

That time of year again for my service and I noticed whilst searching for the usual 5w30 507 oil that VAG appear to have a new 0w30 version replacing the 5w30. "Original VW Longlife III FE 0W30 engine oil. (VW catalog number - GS55545). Replacing discontinued VW Longlife III 5W30 oil (VW...

www.seatcupra.net

 

[Drew306]

Isn't that a thinner oil? & isn't that bad to change from thicker? I was told it was back in my Honda V-tec days as I had EP3 type-r which had 5-30 and then got a mb6 VTIS and I could hardly feel the vtec cross over so I was going to put a thinner oil in and my friend who was a Honda mechanic advised me against it because he said the bottom end bearings would be used to the thicker oil (clearance wise) and the thinner stuff wouldnt give sufficient oil pressure and would probably run the bottom end.
I dont know if this is true but I never changed anyway.

 

[SuperV8]

Isn't that a thinner oil? & isn't that bad to change from thicker? I was told it was back in my Honda V-tec days as I had EP3 type-r which had 5-30 and then got a mb6 VTIS and I could hardly feel the vtec cross over so I was going to put a thinner oil in and my friend who was a Honda mechanic advised me against it because he said the bottom end bearings would be used to the thicker oil (clearance wise) and the thinner stuff wouldnt give sufficient oil pressure and would probably run the bottom end.
I dont know if this is true but I never changed anyway.

No, they are both SAE 30's - which is the 'hot' viscosity so effectively no different when the engine's hot.
The 0w & 5w number is the viscosity when cold - so yes the 0w will be thinner than the 5w when its freezing outside - which is a good thing - but still much thicker than when the oil gets hot, so it can't be too thin!.

The 0w should provide better protection when cold as if will flow better when cold, allowing easier starting and faster film protection.

 

[Speedbird]

I have a 2.0 TDI 184. It uses about 250ml of oil every 3000 (ish) miles. It has done this since I got it 4 years ago, and has been pretty consistent.

In my ownership it is serviced by Seat, or Midland VW (specialists), so I'm sure good quality oil is used.

There isn't an oil leak, never had any smoke from the exhaust when driving, so I don't know where it goes.

My previous diesel cars I very rarely topped up, the Ford Kuga never used a drop of oil. Must be a Seat thing, along with ice on the inside of windscreen, vibrating door cards with the music loud and the boot handle sticking on frosty mornings so I can't open the boot to load it

 

[BillyCool]

I also have a 2.0 TDI 184 and experience some oil use as well. Maybe 300-500ml every 4,000 miles. Seems quite normal for the car. Apparently, it can be linked to DPF regens.

I've always used 507.00 spec oil, although I do my own oil/filter change every 5000 miles and then let the garage do the inspection service.

As long as the car is running fine and no sign of any issues, keep feeding it!

 

[Alan16ac]

I've filled it to the line, going to monitor it again and double check exactly how much it's burning. I will enquire about which oil has been used and I'll get it in for another oil change. I'd normally oil change the car myself, but trying to protect its value by having a proper service history. I hope it's nothing major as I absolutely love this car. I'll never go back to 2wd either, no more wheel spinning!

 

[SuperV8]

I also have a 2.0 TDI 184 and experience some oil use as well. Maybe 300-500ml every 4,000 miles. Seems quite normal for the car. Apparently, it can be linked to DPF regens.

I've always used 507.00 spec oil, although I do my own oil/filter change every 5000 miles and then let the garage do the inspection service.

As long as the car is running fine and no sign of any issues, keep feeding it!

The trouble is our DPF's can hide some oil burning symptoms/smoke - and obviously if the engine is burning excessive oil then this also degrades the DPF quicker.

 

[SuperV8]

I've filled it to the line, going to monitor it again and double check exactly how much it's burning. I will enquire about which oil has been used and I'll get it in for another oil change. I'd normally oil change the car myself, but trying to protect its value by having a proper service history. I hope it's nothing major as I absolutely love this car. I'll never go back to 2wd either, no more wheel spinning!

The official procedure is to check oil level when it's at it's operating temperature.
Have you topped up more than once since the service? or maybe they just slightly under filled? Obviously if you had to top it up several times ignore this.
whats your typical driving route like? many cold starts/short journeys?

I know what you mean regarding AWD, my previous car was an Audi A4 Quattro - loved that car, so stable what ever the weather and in the snow was a beast, but it did decrease my fuel efficiency by around 5mpg which when I started doing 18k a year was quite a chunk of cash extra.

 

[Woody_72]

Mine's always run on Castrol Edge Titanium 507.00 but I've used that up now and switched to Mannol so it'll be interesting to see if anything changes.

 

[BillyCool]

Mine's always run on Castrol Edge Titanium 507.00 but I've used that up now and switched to Mannol so it'll be interesting to see if anything changes.

Funnily enough, I bought a big 20 litre tub of Mannol "507.00" on eBay and used that for 18 months (I did oil and filter myself every 5,000 miles and at the time was doing 20,000 miles per year). My regen mileage dropped from 180 miles to 120. It coincided with change of job and working from home and just doing local 5 mile trips (car barely warmed up), so I knew that might have contributed. I wondered if the oil had anything to do with it. I have recently run out and decided to try another 507 oil and got some Total Quartz. Weirdly, my regen miles has gone up to 145 miles.

Can't say for sure it's the oil but nothing else has changed.

The Mannol I had was quite thick and dark compared to previous (and existing) 507 oil. I can't say it's relevant but I'm happier with the Quartz right now. I have also used Castrol and found that to be good. Bit pricey but can be picked up a bit cheaper if you shop around.

Sorry about the essay - I'd be interested to see how you get on with it.

 

[SuperV8]

Mine's always run on Castrol Edge Titanium 507.00 but I've used that up now and switched to Mannol so it'll be interesting to see if anything changes.

Interesting you are going with Mannol, I see they have two '507' oils - one being cheap, 5w30 longlife and the other branded 0w30 'legend' being priced more inline with the usual 'premium' oil brands.
I tried finding official VAG confirmation that Mannol are 'certified or approved' to the 507 spec but couldn't as of 2015 - they do however state 'approved' to 507 in their marketing blurb - which if they weren't I think VAG would have something to say!
They don't however publish any technical specifications which makes me a little suspicious.

Funnily enough, I bought a big 20 litre tub of Mannol "507.00" on eBay and used that for 18 months (I did oil and filter myself every 5,000 miles and at the time was doing 20,000 miles per year). My regen mileage dropped from 180 miles to 120. It coincided with change of job and working from home and just doing local 5 mile trips (car barely warmed up), so I knew that might have contributed. I wondered if the oil had anything to do with it. I have recently run out and decided to try another 507 oil and got some Total Quartz. Weirdly, my regen miles has gone up to 145 miles.

Can't say for sure it's the oil but nothing else has changed.

The Mannol I had was quite thick and dark compared to previous (and existing) 507 oil. I can't say it's relevant but I'm happier with the Quartz right now. I have also used Castrol and found that to be good. Bit pricey but can be picked up a bit cheaper if you shop around.

Sorry about the essay - I'd be interested to see how you get on with it.

Oil can definitely effect DPF life. My parents Cmax 1.6 TDCI specifically called for a low SAPS oil - to look after the DPF. The wrong oil was a major factor in premature DPF failures in that engine.

 

[BillyCool]

Interesting you are going with Mannol, I see they have two '507' oils - one being cheap, 5w30 longlife and the other branded 0w30 'legend' being priced more inline with the usual 'premium' oil brands.
I tried finding official VAG confirmation that Mannol are 'certified or approved' to the 507 spec but couldn't as of 2015 - they do however state 'approved' to 507 in their marketing blurb - which if they weren't I think VAG would have something to say!
They don't however publish any technical specifications which makes me a little suspicious.



Oil can definitely effect DPF life. My parents Cmax 1.6 TDCI specifically called for a low SAPS oil - to look after the DPF. The wrong oil was a major factor in premature DPF failures in that engine.

Yeah - ref the Mannol - they provide a sort of `certificate of authenticity` - really not sure about it now. I did some Googling and got mixed results. I got it because it was cheap but since my car has now done 115,000 miles, I'm trying to preserve the DPF and can't afford to make things worse. Low SAPS is deffo important and I'm leaning towards making sure I get `genuine` 507.00 oil.

So far, a change of oil has impacted DPF regens, so there is something going on.

 

[Highwayman]

VW new type EA189 CGLC generation standard engine.
The customer contacted the workshop with concerns that the car consumes 1.2 l of oil per 1000 km. Engine crankcase ventilation, fuel system, compression were checked. Everything met the standards. The engine has a built-in lifetime. There were minimal signs of wear on the piston.
The problem is in the piston construction and more precisely the oil ring. There are no drain holes on the oil ring! I point out that it is a piston with reinforced cooling. The oil return to the sump is built on a free flow, where at higher engine speeds, the oil is forced into the combustion chamber. While driving at lower engine speeds, oil is splashed onto the lubricating surface of the cylinder, which again may not be enough for sufficient engine lubrication. German engineers have created an engine that could last up to 200,000 km and that's how it is!

 

[Woody_72]

Apologies for the thread revival but I've been running Mannol 7715 Long Like for around 18,000 miles now (changed every 6,000 miles) and have noticed no difference whatsoever. Mileage is awesome, engine is smooth and quiet and regen's are the same. I'd be extremely wary about buying ANY oil from eBay - it's an absolute scammers paradise nowadays. Mannol is available from onbuy.com and many other autofactors at great prices so no need to buy from auction sites. Remember, when you're watching grand prix or touring cars and the cars are all covered in oil brand advertising, you're paying for that sponsorship when you buy your oil .

 

[sherrattsp]

I have a 2015 Leon X-perience which has just ticked over 90,000 miles. It's using about 1 litre for every 1000 miles which seems extremely excessive. I've owned 2 x EA189 2.0 TDIs and 3 x EA288 TDIs. Some of them never needed topping up before servicing, and others maybe once in 8-9k but that's fine.

A bit worried about my car now, it runs spot on. But the oil consumption is concerning. Any ideas? I tried to search but didn't come up with much.

Did you find what it was?
I’ve got the same car same engine and it’s started using a fair bit of oil
Just topped it up with some Castrol 5w-30 for now

I’ve noticed mine has done a number of regens recently which always seemed to be half way through as I finished my journey so unsure if it’s related to that.