GTi using oil

[paul001]

My beloved BX 19GTi started to use loads of oil or losing oil

The garage says the engine may have had it what does the experts say

do GTi's leak or start to use oil around 65k mark is there a comon leak area

[Way2go]

do GTi's leak or start to use oil around 65k mark is there a comon leak area

The answer to your questions is no!

BUT you need to ask the right questions to achieve help and to do that you need to check over your engine first in order to give us meaningful information.

There is a world of difference between burning it and a leak.
If it's a leak there are other areas to consider besides the engine if like mine it has an oil cooler as standard. So, you need to localize the area the leak is coming from for more advise.

On the plus side it probably isn't as big a problem as your garage is indicating to you as if they can't tell the difference between a leak and consumption they are not up to much!

[jeremy]

Broad statement - if the bores are worn (ie real problems) it'll fume. I don't mean a little puff if you remove the filler cap - I mean real good choking stuff which makes you run away in the interests of staying alive - and the engine will be covered with oil which will leak from places you didn't know it had. If you've got that - recon or replace - simple as that.

If its still clean and there's no real fuming - investigate.

[paul001]

Broad statement - if the bores are worn (ie real problems) it'll fume. I don't mean a little puff if you remove the filler cap - I mean real good choking stuff which makes you run away in the interests of staying alive - and the engine will be covered with oil which will leak from places you didn't know it had. If you've got that - recon or replace - simple as that.

If its still clean and there's no real fuming - investigate.

you mean a puff when the engine is running with the oil cap off the rubber bit holding the oil cap to the engine is in bad shape lots of gunk around

if there isnt the puff you say about where would be good to start investigating I aint no engineer so wont undoe things

[jeremy]

I mean clouds of smoke - not a little bit.

Combustion of the air/fuel mixture takes place in the combustion chamber. Normally the gas is contained by the piston and its rings and remarkably little leaks down the bores and into the crankcase - and if it does its taken care of by the ventilation system.

Eventually things go wrong and the piston/ring combination fail to seal as well and more gasses blow by into the crankcase. When these become really excessive its a sign that the piston/cylinder seal has broken down and the engine needs an overhaul.

So if when you remove the filler cap - thus venting the crankcase - massive amounts of lovely choking fumes come out - you've got a problem - if its just a modest puff - look elsewhere - the piston/cylinder sealing is probably not your problem.

[Philip Chidlow]

I guess the obvious thing is - is it leaking/spraying oil and leaving its mark where parked? Is the back of the car greasy with fine spots of oil after a run?This sort of thing will tell you if it's actually losing oil rather than burning it. If it's burning a lot you would expect a nice cloud of blue smoke on start up and under acceleration. It might be worn valve guides, hardened seats, etc. which GTis are known to suffer from. I got a specialist quote for £275 about three years ago...

How much are you losing?

[Mike E (uk)]

It is unlikely to be a worn out engine.

At that age/mileage it is likely to be the valve guide oil seals failing.
These harden with age and allow oil to be sucked into the combustion chambers.

The clue to this is blue smoke from the exhaust, and an MOT fail on emissions. The smoke occurs when as soon as the engine warms up.

When it gets really bad, you fail the MOT emissions test. (I did)

Mike

PS white gunk under the filler cap is no cause for concern.
I think it is normal on these engines, especially in cold weather and short journeys.
Just wash it out every 6 months.

[paul001]

It is unlikely to be a worn out engine.

At that age/mileage it is likely to be the valve guide oil seals failing.
These harden with age and allow oil to be sucked into the combustion chambers.

The clue to this is blue smoke from the exhaust, and an MOT fail on emissions. The smoke occurs when as soon as the engine warms up.

When it gets really bad, you fail the MOT emissions test. (I did)

Mike

PS white gunk under the filler cap is no cause for concern.
I think it is normal on these engines, especially in cold weather and short journeys.
Just wash it out every 6 months.

Its not blowing masses of smoke or belching with oil cap off

found the pipe/oil filler is loose

[Way2go]

Ah, localized well! No further advice needed then.

[Tim Leech]

It is unlikely to be a worn out engine.

At that age/mileage it is likely to be the valve guide oil seals failing.
These harden with age and allow oil to be sucked into the combustion chambers.

The clue to this is blue smoke from the exhaust, and an MOT fail on emissions. The smoke occurs when as soon as the engine warms up.

When it gets really bad, you fail the MOT emissions test. (I did)

Mike

PS white gunk under the filler cap is no cause for concern.
I think it is normal on these engines, especially in cold weather and short journeys.
Just wash it out every 6 months.

Its not blowing masses of smoke or belching with oil cap off

found the pipe/oil filler is loose

Had the same problem on my old GTi, the pipe next to the filter has perished, cut the end off it, a new hoseclip later and voila!

[MULLEY]

Or alternatively, just get rid of your car & buy mine (doesnt use oil - yet)

[Mike E (uk)]

A nice easy fix then, I wish all faults were like that.

Mike

[paul001]

Had further investigation oil is coming out of filler tube and from the dip tube Is the rubber pipe connected to filler cap easy to fix can i buy one from somewhere

Before crimbo is not a good time to buy your GTi would love too

[paul001]

Had further investigation oil is coming out of filler tube and from the dip tube Is the rubber pipe connected to filler cap easy to fix can i buy one from somewhere

Before crimbo is not a good time to buy your GTi would love too

forgot to add now taking course to learn how to fix engines hopefully save money

[Way2go]

Had further investigation oil is coming out of filler tube and from the dip tube Is the rubber pipe connected to filler cap easy to fix can i buy one from somewhere

The oil filler cap uses an 'o' ring to seal, check that that is there and if absent or damaged, replace it. Or, are you saying that you have a missing pipe somewhere else?

If the plastic seal collar at the top of the dipstick has deteriorated, oil will be blown out of here. Replace the dipstick, they can be bought new from GSF for not very much.