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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: Shady Pioneer on 06 May 2009, 00:11

Title: What to look for if burning oil?
Post by: Shady Pioneer on 06 May 2009, 00:11
I think my car might be burning oil, no apparent leaks and there seems to be a decrease in oil level over time, could be why my cat is fudged? What should I be looking for?
Title: Re: What to look for if burning oil?
Post by: Wayne on 06 May 2009, 00:12
It is harder to tell with a cat, however you should still be able to smell oil if it is being burnt, if it is I would think your valve stem seals are knackered.
Title: Re: What to look for if burning oil?
Post by: Shady Pioneer on 06 May 2009, 00:29
Ok so where would I be looking to smell for oil? And if it is the stem seals, and easy fix?
Title: Re: What to look for if burning oil?
Post by: shepgti on 06 May 2009, 09:51
am i right in thinking blue smoke from exhaust suggests it burning oil.. :undecided:
Title: Re: What to look for if burning oil?
Post by: Wayne on 06 May 2009, 09:56
am i right in thinking blue smoke from exhaust suggests it burning oil.. :undecided:

Yes also you can tend to find you get puffs when changing gear.
Title: Re: What to look for if burning oil?
Post by: Shady Pioneer on 06 May 2009, 10:03
There's defo no blue smoke coming from the rear, any other causes at all?
Title: Re: What to look for if burning oil?
Post by: Wayne on 06 May 2009, 10:21
There's defo no blue smoke coming from the rear, any other causes at all?

Only other thing to suggest is do you have a leak somewhere.
Title: Re: What to look for if burning oil?
Post by: Shady Pioneer on 06 May 2009, 10:25
There's defo no blue smoke coming from the rear, any other causes at all?

Only other thing to suggest is do you have a leak somewhere.

There's nowhere apparent, there's no wet areas or anything  :huh: I'll have to see if I can get under the car and check, that would seem more logical but it's defo not apparent where a leak would be coming from (no oil patches when car left still either).
Title: Re: What to look for if burning oil?
Post by: Rmachines on 06 May 2009, 10:41
Leaks
Valve stem seals
Piston Rings
Head gasket

Work your way through them.  Head gaskets do tend to go on the golfs, 100,000 miles upawards and they are at risk, although they usualy hold up well if its well looked after and not overheated etc..   Valve stem seals go, A common one on valvers, again, a high milage thing...  I doubt the piston rings would have gone ... but who knows,  How fast are you loosing oil?
Title: Re: What to look for if burning oil?
Post by: Guy on 06 May 2009, 10:53
Leaks
Valve stem seals
Piston Rings
Head gasket

Work your way through them.  Head gaskets do tend to go on the golfs, 100,000 miles upawards and they are at risk, although they usualy hold up well if its well looked after and not overheated etc..   Valve stem seals go, A common one on valvers, again, a high milage thing...  I doubt the piston rings would have gone ... but who knows,  How fast are you loosing oil?

oil temperature sender? squeeze the little rubber switch cover on top of the oil cooler, if there is any oil in that then that is leaking
Title: Re: What to look for if burning oil?
Post by: Shady Pioneer on 06 May 2009, 11:10
Leaks
Valve stem seals
Piston Rings
Head gasket

Work your way through them.  Head gaskets do tend to go on the golfs, 100,000 miles upawards and they are at risk, although they usualy hold up well if its well looked after and not overheated etc..   Valve stem seals go, A common one on valvers, again, a high milage thing...  I doubt the piston rings would have gone ... but who knows,  How fast are you loosing oil?

Mine's on 107K atm, where's the oil cooler?

**NEWB alert**

 :grin:

Title: Re: What to look for if burning oil?
Post by: LazyLunatic on 06 May 2009, 11:20
^ LOL ^ :D
Title: Re: What to look for if burning oil?
Post by: Wayne on 06 May 2009, 11:31
With 107k on the clock yours will or maybe burning a small amount through the valve stem seals.
Title: Re: What to look for if burning oil?
Post by: Mikester on 06 May 2009, 11:39
how much are you loosing a week?
Title: Re: What to look for if burning oil?
Post by: Shady Pioneer on 06 May 2009, 11:43
That's a question Mike, lol! :P Umm..I dunno to be honest with you, I filled it up last week to just under the line on the dipstick, I checked it last night and it's just where the recess is on the dipstick, so a fair bit I presume?