TDI AWX Oil Leak: Causes and Solutions

Hello everyone,

I've been having problems with my Passat and its AWX engine for a year.
I always have an oily engine block (on the exhaust manifold side).
All the seals that could potentially be the issue have already been replaced.
Even the cylinder head gasket has been replaced twice.
I'm starting to suspect that there might be a hairline crack somewhere.
The head is tilted.
I never let the engine get too hot!
Has anyone experienced something similar with their TDI, or does anyone suspect something might be wrong?

Regards,

Stefan.

Clean the engine thoroughly, then sprinkle talcum powder on the suspected areas, and go for a test drive. This will actually show you quite precisely where the oil is coming from.
The design of the head should be planned before manufacturing, but unfortunately, many workshops skip this step.

Hello,

I've already tried using talcum powder or lime spray, but the oil is definitely coming from the head gasket. However, there are no visible signs on the old gasket that would indicate a defect.
refer to poetry.
The strange thing is that the oil is leaking out along the entire length of the engine.
Therefore, my suspicion is that something is misaligned somewhere, but according to my workshop, everything is still within the acceptable tolerances, and nothing unusual was found either in the cylinder head or the engine block.
Well, today I found out that I might be getting a new engine, but...
You have to wait for approval from Wolfsburg first.
I suspect there might be a manufacturing defect somewhere... at least, a motor with 28,000 km shouldn't be losing oil!

Best regards,
Stefan

Hi,

Unfortunately, it's not always obvious when replacing a seal that it is actually defective.

As you describe it, the engine could indeed be non-flat or warped.
Perhaps the workshop doesn't want to replace the engine (due to warranty?) and is therefore talking about tolerances.

I don't know the tolerances regarding this at VW - but if they are as 'generous' as they are with the oil consumption over 1000 km...

Hello everyone,

I went to the dealership again today regarding my Passat.
He had the audacity to tell me that the oil leak at the head gasket is normal and that every PD TDI has it.
Am I imagining things, or do your TDIs also have an oil leak at the head gasket?!?

Definition of oil leak: (the engine block is coated with a thin layer of oil).
starting from the cylinder head gasket and running down to the oil pan, where it then flows backward and drips onto the housing.

Regards,

Stefan.

Hi,

Quote:

The oil leak at the head gasket is normal and that every PD TDI has it.

That would definitely rank pretty high on the list of ridiculous excuses.
I think you really should find a different (better) workshop.

Best regards, Frank.

Hello everyone,

I went to the dealership again today regarding my Passat.
He had the audacity to tell me that the oil leak at the head gasket is normal and that every PD TDI has it.
Am I imagining things, or do your TDIs also have an oil leak at the head gasket?!?

Definition of oil leak: (the engine block is coated with a thin layer of oil).
starting from the cylinder head and running down to the oil pan, where it then flows backward and drips onto the housing.

Regards,

Stefan


Cool! So, that's the solution! Or is it?

Okay, putting the jokes aside: I would immediately contact the manufacturer's customer service and discreetly inquire about the actual qualifications of the VAG workshops, or how stupid they intend to make the customer who is seeking advice.


edit: I also own a completely dry AWX model with well over 100,000 kilometers on the odometer.

My anti-roll bar is still completely dry after over 3,000 kilometers (wow!).
The other point (regarding the workshop's qualifications) has already been mentioned, and I agree.

Hmm, I also think that statement is ridiculous. Our old 1Z wasn't dry either, but it didn't leak so badly that it dripped.

Best regards, WarLord.

Hello!
'Does the oil really come from the head gasket? I've also noticed that almost all AVF/AWX engines leak oil around the valve cover gasket, which drips onto the silver intake manifold near the first cylinder. Luckily, mine isn't doing that yet. They also sometimes leak around the EGR valve. If the silver canister on top of the intake manifold is oily and dirty/wet all around, that's also a sign of something. But I'm hearing for the first time that the head gasket could be the problem on the AVF/AWX.'

Greetings.

Hello,

Yes, it definitely comes from the cylinder head gasket, as mentioned above. The VDD (variable valve timing device) has already been replaced. Also, the gasket for the AGR (selective catalytic reduction) system, including the turbocharger, was replaced... for some reason. No one could believe that the oil was actually coming from the cylinder head gasket.
The fact is that the area above the cylinder head gasket, meaning the entire cylinder head, is dry. My second suspicion was that the seal on the camshaft might be leaking, but that seal was already replaced as a precaution.
I haven't personally experienced the whistling sound coming from the intake manifold on my own AWX, but I've seen quite a few AWXs now... and it's mostly a negligible issue.
I have a slightly larger amount of oil.

'However, they've decided to install a new engine. Of course, this isn't cheap for the VAG group, but if I'm already spending 30,000 EUR on this car, I at least expect to get an engine that doesn't leak.'
'However, the service advisor told me that the engine will be sent back to the factory for a thorough inspection. Okay... I thought. But it gets even worse... if they don't find anything, I have to pay the 8,000 euros for the new engine myself. I'm starting to suspect that this is going to turn into a rather unpleasant legal dispute.'

Best regards,
Stefan

Hi,
Okay, so easy it's not! Is it all based on trust, or what? YOU have to trust VW when they say: 'There's no engine defect, you unfortunately have to pay.'
'I would definitely clarify that beforehand! I've also had my share of issues, but usually, the authorized dealer has the right to make a diagnosis. And if the authorized dealer diagnoses that the engine is irreparable, especially after previous attempts have been made, then VW has to accept that! In this case, the customer is essentially off the hook! So, if the authorized dealer says that, VW has to accept it, or they don't. But not with that kind of attitude: 'Yes, but if WE can't find anything...'! Besides, what exactly are they *not* supposed to find? If the engine is leaking like crazy...'

Tip: mach vorher selbst so viel Fotos wie möglich. Und bringe deine Rep.Aufträge diesbezüglich in Gewahrsam Lass dir vom Freundlich Kopien anfertigen wenn DU keine orig. ReYou have invoices.

Greetings.

...that the engine is sent back to the factory and examined there in detail. ... if they find nothing, then I have to pay the 8000 euros for the new engine myself.




'I've never heard anything like it! I would definitely reject this offer. I can imagine that the workshop would then determine that only the cylinder head gasket was leaking, and you would have to pay 8,000 euros yourself (minus 100 euros for the defective gasket)... Or, something went wrong, and they give you 500 euros back, so you only have to pay 7,500 euros.'

Just be careful and familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions beforehand. My advice: either switch to a different car dealership (a more affordable option), or hire an expert (a mid-range option), but don't agree to this deal (it would likely be the most expensive option in the end).

Regards,
Privately, he's still shaking his head...

Hello McGiver,

I would like to know what happened to your leaking ZKD (cylinder head gasket). My engine (ASV) is also wet on the exhaust manifold side, but the oil loss is not noticeable on the dipstick, and there is no oil, exhaust gases, or soot in the coolant.

So, it doesn't really bother me anymore, and it's not that bad that oil is dripping down. However, I would still like to find out the exact cause.

Best regards,
Georg.