Consumer Reports finds some newer cars burn too much oil

[Kedis82ZE8]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/consu...er-cars-burn-too-much-160058908--finance.html

"Several engines from three manufacturers were the main offenders, according to the magazine. Those include Audi's 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder and 3.0-liter V6; BMW's 4.8 liter V8 and 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8; and Subaru's 3.6 liter six-cylinder and 2.0- and 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines. The Subarus burned less oil than the others.

Affected models include Audi's A3, A4, A5, A6 and Q5; BMW's 5, 6, and 7 Series and X5; and the Subaru Outback, Legacy, Forester and Impreza."

Yikes...

"The company said some regular BMW motors can consume up to a quart every 750 miles, and M series performance engines can use up to 2.5 quarts per 1,000 miles under certain conditions. "

 

[inlinev]

The 2.0 petrol turbo from VW/Audi has been known to consume oil for years now. My cousin had to unload an A4 after it was consuming 1.5 quarts every 1000 miles.

 

[yrwei52]

Not surprised to me. Our VW Passat GLX which has Audi's 2.8L V6, the predecessor of Audi's 3.0L V6, is burning 1 quart of oil per 800~1,000 miles since new. The VWoA refused to do anything and insisted it is NORMAL.

A relative has a BMW 750iL and it burns 1 quart of oil per 1,000 miles!

In the recent "The Subaru Outback Wins" thread, those Subie lovers insisted there is no oil burning issues on 3.6L H6 even after a couples of posters presented examples.

 

[ramius]

Had an A4 2.8 V6, leaked oil all 10 years I had it. Debated between the new Outback 2.5 and the CX-5... pretty glad I got the CX-5.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

The graph in CU lists the "Thirsty 30" - '10-'14 models

1. BMW 5 Series (V8)
2. BMW 7 Series
3. BMW 6 Series
4. Porsche Panamera
5. BMW X5 (V8)
6. Audi A4 (2.0T)
7. Audi A5
8. Audi Q5 (2.0T)
9. Porsche Cayenne
10. Audi A6 (V6)
11. Audi S4
12. Audi A3 (2.0T)
13. Subaru Outback (6-cyl)
14. Audi S5
15. Audi Q7
16. BMW X1 (6-cyl)
17. Subaru Legacy (6-cyl)
18. BMW 335i sedan
19. Audi A7 (V6)
20. BMW 5 Series (6 cyl)
21. BMW 335Ci
22. Porsche Boxter
23. Audi Q5 (V6)
24. Audi A6 (2.0T)
25. Subaru Forester
26. Subaru Impreza
27. Mercedes Benz E-Class (V8)
28. Volvo XC60
29. Volvo XC70
30. Chevrolet Spark



They have a break down of % of cars needing a quart between changes.

[A4 2.0T]
2010 - 58%
2011 - 48%
2012 - 9%
2013 - 4%
2014 - 2%

[Subaru Outback 6 cyl]
2010 - 14%
2011 - 17%
2012 - 13%
2013 - 3%
2014 - 2%

 

[Ride92]

No real surprise with the Audi's eating oil like a fat kid eats cake at a birthday party! "Truth in Engineering" my you know what. We have a '03 A4 1.8TQ and that thing is always dripping oil or some other fluid, sensors go bad on it about every 6 months. There's enough stupid plastic parts bolted to the aluminum engine to make someone cry. We've gone thru 3 J-plugs on the car already. The J-plug is a little plug on the US market cars that plug up a hole near the bottom of the engine for the coolant system. I guess Europe has some sensor or something there. The problem is the plug is made of plastic with a rubber o-ring for the seal. The block is aluminum, they don't get along. And they are a pain in the rear to change.

 

[ALafya]

The graph in CU lists the "Thirsty 30" - '10-'14 models

1. BMW 5 Series (V8)
2. BMW 7 Series
3. BMW 6 Series
4. Porsche Panamera
5. BMW X5 (V8)
6. Audi A4 (2.0T)
7. Audi A5
8. Audi Q5 (2.0T)
9. Porsche Cayenne
10. Audi A6 (V6)
11. Audi S4
12. Audi A3 (2.0T)
13. Subaru Outback (6-cyl)
14. Audi S5
15. Audi Q7
16. BMW X1 (6-cyl)
17. Subaru Legacy (6-cyl)
18. BMW 335i sedan
19. Audi A7 (V6)
20. BMW 5 Series (6 cyl)
21. BMW 335Ci
22. Porsche Boxter
23. Audi Q5 (V6)
24. Audi A6 (2.0T)
25. Subaru Forester
26. Subaru Impreza
27. Mercedes Benz E-Class (V8)
28. Volvo XC60
29. Volvo XC70
30. Chevrolet Spark



They have a break down of % of cars needing a quart between changes.

[A4 2.0T]
2010 - 58%
2011 - 48%
2012 - 9%
2013 - 4%
2014 - 2%

[Subaru Outback 6 cyl]
2010 - 14%
2011 - 17%
2012 - 13%
2013 - 3%
2014 - 2%

This is great info. Since 2012, I followed Subaru forums and was wondering about actual % of affected owners.
Could you please add info about the Impreza and 2.5L NA Forester please (or send a link)?

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

[Impeza]
'10 - 2%
'11 - 1%
'12 - 13%
'13 - 3%
'14 - 1%

[Forester]
'10 - 4%
'11 - 8%
'12 - 5%
'13 - 4%
'14 - 2%

This is out of my latest CR issue.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

[Legacy - 6 cyl]
'10 - 19%
'11 - 15%
'12 - 13%
'13 - 2%
'14 - 0%

 

[ALafya]

Wow, this finally puts a seal on the great debate over the frequency of the problem, though 2014 numbers maybe under-reported, as some owners reported oil-consumption only after 7500 miles.
Thanks a lot!

 

[sylva143]

Not surprised to me. Our VW Passat GLX which has Audi's 2.8L V6, the predecessor of Audi's 3.0L V6, is burning 1 quart of oil per 800~1,000 miles since new. The VWoA refused to do anything and insisted it is NORMAL.

A relative has a BMW 750iL and it burns 1 quart of oil per 1,000 miles!

In the recent "The Subaru Outback Wins" thread, those Subie lovers insisted there is no oil burning issues on 3.6L H6 even after a couples of posters presented examples.

I was one of those reporting my experience with the Outback 3.6 oil consumption issue. It is always great to get some objective backup!

I do see the Volvo XC60 listed. I have not had a problem with my V60 EcoDrive yes, so hopefully it is with the older engine designs.

 

[yrwei52]

In the recent "The Subaru Outback Wins" thread, those Subie lovers insisted there is no oil burning issues on 3.6L H6 even after a couples of posters presented examples.

I was one of those reporting my experience with the Outback 3.6 oil consumption issue. It is always great to get some objective backup!

It seems that Subie's 3.6L H6 has more complaints than 2.5L H4 for recent years. I raised naturally inherited oil burning issue on horizontally opposed 4 or 6 Boxers which was based on their design and your report and Consumer Reposts have not had this article coming out yet. According to the article, Subaru considers one quart burned for every 1,000 to 1,200 miles to be acceptable! Subaru spokesman said "the company's vehicles have improved from 2010 through the current models.", he didn't say the oil burning issue has been resolved for MY 2015. Looking back to these posts from the other thread:

H6 are not oil burning what the heck are you talking about ? It is probably one of the most reliable engine around, and it is butter smooth. H4 2.5L are Subaru engines with problems, the oil pump seems not big enough to lubricate cylinder 4 in a lot of situation. A Leak Down test is a must when buying a used 2.5l.

Well I have been on Subaru forums for over 10 years and I still go there everyday because I like the Subaru community, I had 2 subies. Let me tell you this is the first time I hear that there is a problem with H6 from subies, and on Forums problems pop up a lot (just look at 2.5L problems). There maybe problems here and there but it is like all manufacturer, you can get lemons with any brands. Personally I would buy an H6 anytime without being scared of oil burning at all.

Consumer Reports reporting that Subaru's (all engines) burn too much oil.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/consumer-reports-finds-newer-cars-101209204.html

The article focuses on 2010-2014 models. From what I read, this issue has been (mostly) resolved, at least in Subarus.

 

[socalcx-5]

Wife and I nearly bought a '14 Forester, then I started reading about the oil burning issues they were having.

Interestingly, I had a 2003 Honda Accord 2dr v6 that would burn about a quart every 1k miles. I complained about it to the service department on several occasions and they always came back saying that Honda considered that within normal operation.

 

[IHeartGroceries]

I'll bet they don't consume oil like the 350 SBC in my 72 C-10. Lmao

But really...

Wonder how much of that is depositing on the back sides of intake valves. Many of those appear to be GDI engines, no?

 

[yrwei52]

Wonder how much of that is depositing on the back sides of intake valves. Many of those appear to be GDI engines, no?

It should have nothing to do with GDI engines, but has more to do with the precision of the cylinder bore and position rings, especially on horizontally opposed 4 or 6 Boxers such as Subaru's 2.5L H4 and 3.6L H6. Mazda CX-5 has GDI SkyActiv-G engines and they don't have oil burning issue. In fact, CX-5 SkyActiv-D 2.2L diesel sold else where has oil raising issue... (whistle)

 

[Unobtanium]

It should have nothing to do with GDI engines, but has more to do with the precision of the cylinder bore and position rings, especially on horizontally opposed 4 or 6 Boxers such as Subaru's 2.5L H4 and 3.6L H6. Mazda CX-5 has GDI SkyActiv-G engines and they don't have oil burning issue. In fact, CX-5 SkyActiv-D 2.2L diesel sold else where has oil raising issue... (whistle)

I think a lot has to do with the geometry of the stroke (haha...). Back when I owned a mustang, and was considering a 347 stroker for it, there was a TON of debate about the geometry and shape and stability and ring position and wrist-pin position and all that jazz regarding the piston in the bore. I think any company worth beans can properly hone a block. Those issues should have been put to bed since what, the 60s'/70's at latest? Now, I think it has to do with compromising low-drag light-weight rotating assemblies and geometry of the piston in the bore, and ring location and design, etc. etc. etc.

 

[IHeartGroceries]

It should have nothing to do with GDI engines, but has more to do with the precision of the cylinder bore and position rings, especially on horizontally opposed 4 or 6 Boxers such as Subaru's 2.5L H4 and 3.6L H6. Mazda CX-5 has GDI SkyActiv-G engines and they don't have oil burning issue. In fact, CX-5 SkyActiv-D 2.2L diesel sold else where has oil raising issue... (whistle)

The idea is higher cylinder temperatures and pressure release into the crankcase, which accelerate oil vaporization. Certainly possible to make provisions in your valve overlapping, spark and injection timing events to reduce this problem, though. FI GDI seems that much worse...

 

[old-school]

I'm not sure the idea of flat cylinder arrangement would or even should have anything to do with burning oil.

Been a air cooled VW nut since old enough to hold a wench. Granted, oil changes are at 3,000 miles, but I've NEVER had to add 3 quarts of oil between changes, or even 1 quart to a flat four air cooled motor between oil changes regardless of mileage. They hold 2-1/2 quarts...

1qt/1,000 miles is absurd, embarrassing! Oil draining into the cylinders because of the flat four arrangement would be called a gross engineering fail.

As pointed out above crankcase pressure is probably part of the problem. Shoving oil saturated case venting into the intake. Caused by blow-by from the cyclinders and thrashing of the crank? QC and/or engineering issues.

Unfortunately Subaru (we've had 3, Love them) has had periods of engineering problems in the past and not owning up. Lots of Phase I 2.5L motors self destruct at 85,000 miles. Folks were told 'out of warranty', do ya feel the Love? They decided to revamp the main bearings in the Phase II motors.

That said our last Subaru was a '97 2.5L GT. Sold it at ~150,000 miles, never had a problem. Just like anythng, ya pays your money and takes your chances. CX-5's have shallow track record, so we all have risk in the game as well.