Oil consumption problem

Before asking something, regarding specifically the engine, please be kind enough to post what year and what engine your car has.

Talking about the oil consumption, I suspect your car is in between the 2015-2018 range. These are the 1st gen VEA engines that got the famous oil-eater name because, namely, of enormous oil consumption. The problem is the oil control ring on the piston and you need to change the rings completely before you run into more severe problems caused by them having too small holes in them and thus blocking oil from being drained from the combustion chamber. As in the process, the head will be removed, it's beneficial to replace valve stem seals as well – they get damaged from the carbon build-up due to blocked oil rings.

Amadėjus said:

Before asking something, regarding specifically the engine, please be kind enough to post what year and what engine your car has.

Talking about the oil consumption, I suspect your car is in between the 2015-2018 range. These are the 1st gen VEA engines that got the famous oil-eater name because, namely, of enormous oil consumption. The problem is the oil control ring on the piston and you need to change the rings completely before you run into more severe problems caused by them having too small holes in them and thus blocking oil from being drained from the combustion chamber. As in the process, the head will be removed, it's beneficial to replace valve stem seals as well – they get damaged from the carbon build-up due to blocked oil rings.

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I forgot to specify which engine and from which year the car is, it is a V40 2.0 D2 from 2016. Thanks for the answer!

Amadėjus said:

Before asking something, regarding specifically the engine, please be kind enough to post what year and what engine your car has.

Talking about the oil consumption, I suspect your car is in between the 2015-2018 range. These are the 1st gen VEA engines that got the famous oil-eater name because, namely, of enormous oil consumption. The problem is the oil control ring on the piston and you need to change the rings completely before you run into more severe problems caused by them having too small holes in them and thus blocking oil from being drained from the combustion chamber. As in the process, the head will be removed, it's beneficial to replace valve stem seals as well – they get damaged from the carbon build-up due to blocked oil rings.

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Hi Amadejus,
Interesting comment, I thought that only the early versions of the VEA diesels had this problem, I was not aware that it was from 2015-2018 untill they changed the design. Are you sure it is untill the 2018 model for the V40 diesels (D2 D3 D4)?

My understanding is that it is VEA engines prior to engine number 1501327 can be prone to developing high oil consumption. The solution is new pistons and piston rings.

From engine number 1501327 all VEA engines were fitted with the modified parts from the factory.
This is circa late 2015.

remy said:

Hi Amadejus,
Interesting comment, I thought that only the early versions of the VEA diesels had this problem, I was not aware that it was from 2015-2018 untill they changed the design. Are you sure it is untill the 2018 model for the V40 diesels (D2 D3 D4)?

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Its actually until mid 2017 when the problem was solved. The 2015-2018 reference is wrong.

Sepukku said:

Its actually until mid 2017 when the problem was solved. The 2015-2018 reference is wrong.

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The technical journal explaining the issue and its resolution was issued in November 2017, but it refers to engines pre 2015-16 model year and states, "From engine serial number: 1501327, engines have been modified from engine factory".

So to solve the oil problem I need new pistons and oil rings, is that right? I really like the car and I wouldn't want to sell it ... but this problem is really unacceptable.

I don't think you have said if your engine is pre 1501327?
How many miles/kilometres has the engine done?
How much oil is the engine currently using?

tWx02 said:

So to solve the oil problem I need new pistons and oil rings, is that right? I really like the car and I wouldn't want to sell it ... but this problem is really unacceptable.

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You need to have the problem diagnosed first, to try and determine the cause, but if your engine is in the affected range, then the original piston ring issue is a likely cause and the cure for that is replacement pistons and piston rings. But you need to rule out alternative causes first.

Alanr said:

I don't think you have said if your engine is pre 1501327?
How many miles/kilometres has the engine done?
How much oil is the engine currently using?

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What's your engine number Alan? I see yours is a 2016 build.

Jason

Well knowing of this piston/ring problem I checked my engine number last year before I purchased the car. My engine was built well after the problem issue cut off number. It is 1722221.
I have done 3000 miles since the oil was changed and still shows oil level ok...Long may it continue!

Alan

Alanr said:

Well knowing of this piston/ring problem I checked my engine number last year before I purchased the car. My engine was built well after the problem issue cut off number. It is 1722221.
I have done 3000 miles since the oil was changed and still shows oil level ok...Long may it continue!

Alan

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Mine was a May 2017 build registered September 2017 so mine should be well over that then.

Is this just a problem for diesel engines? My T5 (petrol) from early 2016 has engine 1472609.

HPsauce said:

Is this just a problem for diesel engines? My T5 (petrol) from early 2016 has engine 1472609.

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No, petrol as well, but if you haven't suffered excessive oil consumption after 5-6 years, I wouldn't worry about it. It seems to have been mainly a N. American issue and it may or may not be a coincidence that the engines are designed to use 0W20 oil, but in the US "for legal reasons" (quote - whatever that means???) they were forced to stipulate a thicker viscocity oil, until relatively recently.

OK thanks, no oil problems, POENTIALLY much worse (see my coolant thread).

Alanr said:

Well knowing of this piston/ring problem I checked my engine number last year before I purchased the car. My engine was built well after the problem issue cut off number. It is 1722221.
I have done 3000 miles since the oil was changed and still shows oil level ok...Long may it continue!

Alan

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I'm not big on the electronic dipstick, wouldn't be so bad if it had a normal one as a back up, mine sometimes show low or ok and about 6 weeks ago I had the car on the cusp of stalling and it came up add 0.5l oil, had the oil service September last year. I'm inclined to think the car going into the cusp of stalling might of dropped the oil pressure in a way the message came up but without a dipstick I don't know for sure. I'm quite cute when it comes to regens too and avoid dumped diesel in the sump if I can help it, I can spot the signs of a regen and I always carry on until it's completed even if it makes me late for work 🤣 but it has done 120k miles I guess but like to think it will carry on to 200k and beyond. I've only just learned I've got a few extras too (same spec as yours) I've got the TFT display, power driver's seat and the winter pack which I believe are all options on the momentum Nav plus. Engine number 2138754

what is average cost of the piston change? I have the same problem with old pistons as well ...

Pavel Pokorný said:

what is average cost of the piston change? I have the same problem with old pistons as well ...

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Check for engine rebuilders, it calls for an engine rebuild. Everything will have to be disassembled and put everything new. Here where I live it’s about 1500-2000 eur

RS3100 said:

No, petrol as well, but if you haven't suffered excessive oil consumption after 5-6 years, I wouldn't worry about it. It seems to have been mainly a N. American issue and it may or may not be a coincidence that the engines are designed to use 0W20 oil, but in the US "for legal reasons" (quote - whatever that means???) they were forced to stipulate a thicker viscocity oil, until relatively recently.

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Just to check - What is considered to be excessive oil consumption for 2016 V40 D2 2.0 VEA engine?
My engine has 105 000 km. Oil change has been done at about 80 000, so yes long time. Car consumed 0.5 L in past 3000 km. Or it's leaking somewhere.