StillGed
New member
I'll admit I'm new to diesel engines, but this one is a bit of a puzzler.
I am the relatively happy new owner of a 2000 New Beetle, autotragic transmission, 76000 miles. When I got the car, I understood that it burned a little oil, but I never expected to go through a quart every 300 miles. The engine is quite clean, a couple of old leaks and road dirt but no fresh leaks or puddles on the ground under the car.
I'd suspect the engine, except for the mileage and the fact that I have no symptoms of compression loss - starting is easy, idling and running at speed are both smooth, and I think I have plenty of power (but have nothing to compare it against on this car). I do get a puff of smoke under heavy acceleration, visible in the mirror. No MIL or other obvious warnings, and that light does go on when I put the key in, so it's not disabled.
I wonder about the turbo, since that seems to be the other place that oil goes to disappear in these cars. The original turbo was replaced at 45000 miles because it was leaking into the exhaust. It was also mentioned to me by the last (second) owner that the EGR valve may need cleaning and that might help, but I don't necessarily see what difference that will make to the disappearing oil.
I took it to a local VW repair shop (not on the recommended list, I hadn't found that yet), and they diagnosed failed/ crystallized rings after failing to find any external leaks. I doubt I'll go back there, though, because I'd have expected at least a compression test to confirm that diagnosis.
Does anyone have any thoughts before I make an appointment with one of the two local recommended shops for a second opinion? I'm a competent shade-tree mechanic (as someone here put it, love that phrase) and have a decent set of tools.
Thanks! I'm enjoying learning the ins and outs of these cars; I just may have to stick with them for a while.
-Scott.
I am the relatively happy new owner of a 2000 New Beetle, autotragic transmission, 76000 miles. When I got the car, I understood that it burned a little oil, but I never expected to go through a quart every 300 miles. The engine is quite clean, a couple of old leaks and road dirt but no fresh leaks or puddles on the ground under the car.
I'd suspect the engine, except for the mileage and the fact that I have no symptoms of compression loss - starting is easy, idling and running at speed are both smooth, and I think I have plenty of power (but have nothing to compare it against on this car). I do get a puff of smoke under heavy acceleration, visible in the mirror. No MIL or other obvious warnings, and that light does go on when I put the key in, so it's not disabled.
I wonder about the turbo, since that seems to be the other place that oil goes to disappear in these cars. The original turbo was replaced at 45000 miles because it was leaking into the exhaust. It was also mentioned to me by the last (second) owner that the EGR valve may need cleaning and that might help, but I don't necessarily see what difference that will make to the disappearing oil.
I took it to a local VW repair shop (not on the recommended list, I hadn't found that yet), and they diagnosed failed/ crystallized rings after failing to find any external leaks. I doubt I'll go back there, though, because I'd have expected at least a compression test to confirm that diagnosis.
Does anyone have any thoughts before I make an appointment with one of the two local recommended shops for a second opinion? I'm a competent shade-tree mechanic (as someone here put it, love that phrase) and have a decent set of tools.
Thanks! I'm enjoying learning the ins and outs of these cars; I just may have to stick with them for a while.
-Scott.