Oil issues VW Passat Turbo 2007

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jamesbai

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Oct 21, 2015
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Hi all,
Thanks for taking the time to read my rather long epistle!
I am having issues with my 2007 VW Wolfsburg Edition
Since purchasing this car 1 year ago I have had nothing but problems with car letting out plumes of white smoke when I accelerate from stop following a brief hesitation and crackling noise. It does this irregularly and have had the car in the shop several times w/o resolution.
I also noticed that the car uses a lot of oil but nothing leaks unto my driveway. It takes about 1-2 quarts every 1000 miles or so.
To date I have had 3 bleeder valves installed and new spark plugs put in at different visits to the shop, per the dealership/repair shop recommendation but continues with oil loss.
One day I drove the car to State College, PA, very hilly terrain, and while climbing the mountainous highway, I heard that all-too-familiar crackling noise accompanied by flashing of the “check-engine light” warning light. The car started bucking pretty roughly but was able to reach a near by VW dealership where I was told one of the cylinders had been destroyed and will need a complete engine overhaul. I had that done soon afterwards, thanks to my Extended Service Warranty! The burning of oil, letting out of plumes of smoke with the crackling sound has since returned, however! I recently took it in to VW and they found oil in the turbo as well as soot on spark plugs. They recommend further testings not covered by the warranty company so I took it to a local VW repair guy who advised me to down grade to a regular motor oil, SAE 30 from the synthetic. I don't see much wisdom in his simple recommendation other than cutting the cost of the oil it's burning.
What do you recommend that I do?
 

tortillasoup

Golden Member
Jan 12, 2011
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Sounds like the car is in deep shit. Switching from a synthetic to a non synthetic will only increase the rate of burning of oil.
 

Jimzz

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2012
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Take it back if its under warranty.

What was rebuilt for the motor? Just the top end/head or the bottom end(pistons/rings)?
Could be a bad turbo seal if the engine was properly fixed, so rebuild the turbo would be next.


But yea VW/Audi is not a car I would keep past the factory warranty for many reasons.

And do not use a straight 30weight oil. 15w40 is thicker than the factory stuff but will not add as much wear as the straight 30. Try that while looking to fix the main problem.
 
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jamesbai

Junior Member
Oct 21, 2015
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Thanks for your quick input guys! I was told they did the long and short block- whatever that means! And the work is out of warranty as we speak!! The engine runs and sounds better, except for the original problems!
 

Jimzz

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2012
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Thanks for your quick input guys! I was told they did the long and short block- whatever that means! And the work is out of warranty as we speak!! The engine runs and sounds better, except for the original problems!


If the turbo has never been rebuilt I would start there then. Not real cheap but sounds like the block/head should be ok, well as ok as it was from VW. :whiste:
 

MongGrel

Lifer
Dec 3, 2013
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Thanks for your quick input guys! I was told they did the long and short block- whatever that means! And the work is out of warranty as we speak!! The engine runs and sounds better, except for the original problems!

Some speedy mechanics if they resolved all of that in 3 hours I guess...

I thought white smoke was coolant related?

Usually has been my experience, something like a cracked head that is letting coolant in. I inherited an Audi Fox long ago for free that did that, and pretty much just dumped it, was one my first wife and the kids in the family had learned to drive on and it was pretty much toasted from the drivers not taking care of it and various silly things like a bad mechanic. I just got rid of it myself, after i changed the oil and looked at a few things, the car itself wasn't in bad shape but the engine was trashed and I was leaving Hawaii at the time.
 
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jamesbai

Junior Member
Oct 21, 2015
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If I might add, the crackling noise and letting out of thick smoke when accelerating from stop, passing or merging unto traffic though happening infrequently, does happen always when air is on. Does that help in diagnosing the problem?
 
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