Black smoke from exhaust when accelerating?

[Craigh1983]

Hi guys,

I noticed the other day when accelerating hard black smoke coming from the exhaust but it doesn't do it when driving normally. I also noticed my car is using up oil pretty fast and the oil light came on the other day so I had to top it up mid journey.

I'm not sure if the two problems are linked or not? What could be causing these issues?

Thanks

[Dan_FR]

Sounds perfectly normal to me

Rich mixture under acceleration & carbon buildup coupled with huge increase in flow to blow it out of the exhaust

Some of these engines use a lot of oil, others don't. Don't be surprised if you go through a litre of oil every 1,000 miles. Mine usually get's through a litre every 3,000 miles or so of fast road driving

[mikezs]

Sounds normal to me too. Normally get it if i've done a few hundred miles softly and the first couple of times I mash the accelerator.

I get through a litre about every 3000 miles too. I remember reading that VW say a litre every 600 miles is also within spec!

[pudding]

A haze of black smoke when booting it is normal, but diesel like clouds of the stuff isn't!

The KO4 engines seem a bit better on oil.  Different pistons and rings I believe.

[Craigh1983]

Well it sounds pretty normal then! Thing is I went and booked it in the garage to be looked at without asking in the forum first! I just hope he doesn't charge me for taking a look or say that he's found something majorly wrong when in fact it's normal.

Can it just start doing this at any time? Because it has only recently started blowing the smoke in the past few days. It's never ever happened before?

[mikezs]

I think using more oil is the telltale sign. If it suddenly starts using lots more (check every few weeks) then you should worry

[neilw]

Step one - Open Bonet
Step two - Check engine cover says FSI not TDI

 

I've never noticed any smoke from mine, although my exhaust tips do get a bit sotty. I had to top up about 500ml of oil after about 4000miles. So I guess it burns 100ml per 1000miles ish

[maxamplitude10]

Sounds like it could be something more sinister, valve seals, piston rings, worn bores.......
Alternatively the turbo could be passing oil I'd definitely get it checked out by a VAG specialist just for peace of mind....
In addition if something is starting to degrade you'll probably be financially better off to deal with it before it completely goes and takes out additional parts with it:-)

[pudding]

Step one - Open Bonet
Step two - Check engine cover says FSI not TDI

 

I've never noticed any smoke from mine, although my exhaust tips do get a bit sotty. I had to top up about 500ml of oil after about 4000miles. So I guess it burns 100ml per 1000miles ish

Well they certainly sound like a diesel under the hood 

My consumption is the same as yours, although I noticed a slight reduction in consumption when I switched to Mobil 1 0W40 'New Life'.   Good stuff that.

[Craigh1983]

Well got the car back yesterday and the mechanic couldn't find anything wrong! He said just keep an eye on the oil consumption and go back if it gets really bad.

So I'm going to buy some oil this afternoon and I usually buy castrol edge but somebody recommended Quantum Long life 3 5w30. Apparently it's just as good as the Castrol. Does anyone have any experience using the Quantum?

[pudding]

If yours is chewing through oil, you might want to step up to a 5w or 0w 40.   As I say, Mobil 1 is great stuff and available from Halfords, or if you want something else, loads of options online.

[mikezs]

Quantum is VAG OEM IIRC.

I think 5w30 is standard and 5w40 is fine for the UK climate too (and a bit thicker)

[lukemk5gti]

@mkmg76 advised that he burnt through castrol edge so I'd avoid that.

I'd vote for millers nanodrive 5W-40. I serviced mine with it maybe 3 months ago and I haven't needed to top it up once since.

[maxamplitude10]

My edition 30 has always been run on 5w 30 oil:-)

[neilw]

I've got Quantum Platinum 5-40 in mine. It was only £18 for 5ltrs at TPS as well.