Fuel economy not bad....oil economy, different story

[dubCanuck1]

Well, I came back the other week from visiting MrDave and drove about 800 Kms. I went through 8 litres of oil by the time I came home! I looked at the engine and the front is clean (recently shampooed, no visible leaks). The backside of the engine has some oil residue on it, but come on, 8 LITRES! It cost me more in oil that diesel.

I've got to figure this one out. Apart from a gasket leak (I'm planning on replacing them all), what else could cause it to gulp down oil like a football team does to food at a chinese buffet?

Also, since I'm on the topic of gasket swaps, I had read Malone's workup on his TD and saw mention of copper gaskets. What would be the best gaskets to get for the A) Valve Gasket B)Head Gasket C) Oil Pan Gasket?

It's a 92 Jetta TD.

[fatmobile]

For the valve cover gasket, there is a rubber/reusable one.
 037-103-483C

[dubCanuck1]

Are those ones the best to get? I don't mind spending some coinage, so long as I don't have to replace it as often.

[therabbittree]

mummn sounds like th erings or the valve guides and vlave seal are leaking..or both..
Thanks
Deo

[therabbittree]

mummn sounds like the rings or the valve guides and valve seals are leaking..or both..
Thanks
Deo

[jtanguay]

I drive a 92 TD and I find that when I drive the engine hard it burns more oil.   But ya, could be the rings or valve seals

Have you tried a thicker oil? 20w50?   Just remember to let her warm up a little longer before taking off.   That wynns stop oil burning stuff really does work.

[gldgti]

piston rings?

sump plug?

8L? my gosh.....nasty....

[deepmud]

turbo seal? look for oil in the intake.

[DieselsRcool]

Rings!     Been there.

I had a very high compression, good running TD that would use a quart every 200mi without smoking. I pulled my hair out trying to find the problem. With 460psi compression and no smoke I "knew for sure" it was not the rings. I replaced the valve guide seals, all gaskets and seals. I finally gave in, pulled the head, pan and pistons. They all looked fine. No severe ring end gap. Bores looked fine and measured ok. WTF? I honed it and put in a new set of rings. 30,000 miles later and I have never had to add any oil.

Only thing I can figure is the oil control rings failed but the compression rings were fine. Good compression and good running does not mean the rings are not worn out. Since these engines fun just fine on oil I guess they don't nessisarily smoke when they are burning oil. The first hint is the "CHECK ENGINE OIL" sticker on the fuel cap door. :?

[dieselweasel]

Check the intake (air outlet) and exhaust sides of the turbo.

[A_Lex_Ass]

I had the same problem, just less sevre. I was putting 1L of oil for every 500 km. As mentioned above, check the intake for oil. My was dripping from the intake hoses and the turbo was the culprit.

I'm picking up a new turbo tomorrow because the old one had too much play in the turbine shaft. It's not cheap, but the engine is fine otherwise.

[v8volvo]

Rings!     Been there.

I had a very high compression, good running TD that would use a quart every 200mi without smoking. I pulled my hair out trying to find the problem. With 460psi compression and no smoke I "knew for sure" it was not the rings. I replaced the valve guide seals, all gaskets and seals. I finally gave in, pulled the head, pan and pistons. They all looked fine. No severe ring end gap. Bores looked fine and measured ok. WTF? I honed it and put in a new set of rings. 30,000 miles later and I have never had to add any oil.

Only thing I can figure is the oil control rings failed but the compression rings were fine. Good compression and good running does not mean the rings are not worn out. Since these engines fun just fine on oil I guess they don't nessisarily smoke when they are burning oil. The first hint is the "CHECK ENGINE OIL" sticker on the fuel cap door. :?

Damn, and you're close by too. You are the man I needed to talk to a year ago.

I had the same deal. Ran great, 425psi across the board, quick starts, good power and MPG, no leaks, but I was adding a quart every 100 miles. I went through everything--new head with new valves, valve guides, and valve seals, Rislone and Marvel Mystery Oil in case rings were stuck, etc, etc. Finally tore it all the way down this summer. Bores were fine, no rings stuck...? But then I got out the new rings and all was clear. The old ones had just lost all their spring, probably from heat. Now it's re-ringed and back on the road, and uses literally ZERO oil.