 Jim Grant's Tech Tips Volkswagen, Oil Consumption
Q: What, in your opinion, would cause a Volkswagen with a 2.0L engine to consume about 1 to 2 quarts of oil every 1000 to 1500 miles? There’s no blue smoke and no messy drips on the floor. - Mike A: There is no magic to oil consumption or loss. Engine oil either leaks out or is burned in the engine. If you have no external leaks than there is no other place to look but the engine. But, you have to also realize that it doesn’t always mean that the engine is worn or damaged. The crankcase ventilation system (in some vehicles it’s called a PCV system) can be the cause of oil consumption. The crankcase ventilation system is designed to capture blow-by gases from the engine crankcase and feed them back to the engine to be burned. This system can goof-up and actually start pulling oil from the engine and burn it. Be sure your vehicle’s crankcase ventilation system is operating correctly. Sometimes some needed maintenance can make a world of difference.
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