Oil Consumption - 09 Routan 3.8L 30K miles

[redzone98]

same problem here... V3.8 Routan SE 1999 44K, dealer serviced till 36K.

The dealer is doing the "test" so I'll check back in 30 days.

It's a very nice van. I really hope VW comes through and takes care of it's customers and we can put this behind us.

My van has 44090 Miles on it !

I see a Trend Forming !!!!

PS , what is the Build Date on your Routan ?

[redzone98]

Its a List of T&Cs and Caravans with the same issue.

It is time for a class action law SUIT !

http://repairpal.com/reasons-for-exc...onsumption-167

[mrmomo]

my 09 with 60k burn about 1qts in 3k miles, i would like togo longer but the oil is very dirty around that miles. so i take it in and have the oil change.

[redzone98]

After my 3rd and Final time of having an oil consumption test, my dealer needed to keep it over night for a "specialty test"

They would not disclose what kind of test was preformed, but the car needed to stay over night, and the battery and fuse box showed signs of work being done.

After the test was performed, VWoA contacted me and stated that i will need to have my engine rebuilt, from the ground up.

New Rings, Seals, Bearings Etc.

A Loaner car will be given while the work is being done, with an estimate of 1-2 weeks of work to be done.

I guess Persistence does pay off... i just dont have the warm and fuzzy feeling here having the local dealer do this type of work. Hope they dont eff it up even worse.

[Zambee500]

Tell them you don't really need the 3.8L and a 3.6L will do just fine, and ask if they'll drop a 3.6L in there and re-flash the TCU for you.

Seriously, congratulations. Sounds like where you were at that the VW dealership re-build is a better option than the alternative. Perhaps try to negotiate something a bit longer than the typical 12mo/12k mile dealership repair warranty and see if they will throw in the VWoA extended warranty for the inconvenience. It doesn't cost them that much. (Not sure if you said you already have the extended warranty.)

[redzone98]

Tell them you don't really need the 3.8L and a 3.6L will do just fine, and ask if they'll drop a 3.6L in there and re-flash the TCU for you.

Seriously, congratulations. Sounds like where you were at that the VW dealership re-build is a better option than the alternative. Perhaps try to negotiate something a bit longer than the typical 12mo/12k mile dealership repair warranty and see if they will throw in the VWoA extended warranty for the inconvenience. It doesn't cost them that much. (Not sure if you said you already have the extended warranty.)

Im pretty happy that SOMETHING is being done. Rather than just dismissing my concerns (as usual)

It just figures that when i really LIKE a vehicle, something like this happens. I already stresses my concerns of WHO is actually doing the work, since my local dealership is not a engine machine shop, and they already said, in multiple times, that they will be doing the engine work at the dealer.

I will make damn sure that I receive a list of parts to be installed, and i will demand that the engine cyl bores be Honed by a Machine shop before putting in new rings.

[58kafer]

Im pretty happy that SOMETHING is being done. Rather than just dismissing my concerns (as usual)

It just figures that when i really LIKE a vehicle, something like this happens. I already stresses my concerns of WHO is actually doing the work, since my local dealership is not a engine machine shop, and they already said, in multiple times, that they will be doing the engine work at the dealer.

I will make damn sure that I receive a list of parts to be installed, and i will demand that the engine cyl bores be Honed by a Machine shop before putting in new rings.

Seems crazy to me that in this day and age that they would do a rebuild inhouse rather than to drop in a crate motor. As posted before---have them check the heads as that was the result of another oil burner. If your down that far they might as well---and if they don't put up a stink or find a reputable shop that will redo the heads for you and do a valve job to ensure EVERYTHING is covered so it hopefully won't consume as much oil. Glad to hear your getting results---persistance pays

[redzone98]

Seems crazy to me that in this day and age that they would do a rebuild inhouse rather than to drop in a crate motor. As posted before---have them check the heads as that was the result of another oil burner. If your down that far they might as well---and if they don't put up a stink or find a reputable shop that will redo the heads for you and do a valve job to ensure EVERYTHING is covered so it hopefully won't consume as much oil. Glad to hear your getting results---persistance pays

kinda bugs me that they are not just using the motor as a complete LRU. But i guess with the cost of a new crate motor, it is still cheaper for them to eat the hours of labor to put in new rings. ALL the parts cant be more than 500-600$ Retail.

[early74B]

as Chrysler is having some issues with the 'new' Pentastar engines as well ...


http://www.autoweek.com/article/2012...n=awdailydrive

[PaulAP]

Makes me glad that I have the 4.0 and it's been flawless... (touch wood)

[early74B]

Makes me glad that I have the 4.0 and it's been flawless... (touch wood)

same here, have an '09 4.0L SEL --- how many miles on your so far? mine is only at 23K so perhaps too soon to tell

[58kafer]

We have 36K on our 4.0 in under 2 years. Oil is always to the top of the line on the dipstick @ 6K intervals. What's even stranger is, the damn oil still looks clean, compared to some vehicles at 3K.

[PaulAP]

I've only had mine for the summer. I'm the second owner. It's an 09 Comfortline
with RSE1. It currently has just over 40,000 kms, the last 4,000 kms are all mine.

Lot's of road trips (that's why we bought it)

Usage will go down during the winter, as we don't venture out as far in the snow.
I have been monitoring all fluids, tires, brakes etc., and no issues anywhere.

[cscsc]

Don't want to jinx it, but our 4.0 has also been flawless for the 1st 47.5K. Castrol GTX 10W-30 every 3K or 3months, whichever comes 1st.

[redzone98]

it does seem like the 4.0L was a great motor for this van.

[Zambee500]

I've got 4.0L approaching 63k miles and I do have to add a little bit of oil between oil changes. But not like what people are reporting on the 3.8L motor. I'm adding around a quart between oil changes, and getting 5-6k miles on each OCI. I just added 1/4 or 1/3 of a quart yesterday to top up to the "full" line. I might have the PCV valve replaced at the next maintenance interval though, as the rings/bearings/seals don't seem to be the problem with the oil consumption on the 4.0L.

[redzone98]

Well it seems like all of my ranting (and the obvious fact) is finally paying off. The dealer will replace the Piston rings in the next few weeks.

Fingers Crossed !~

[redzone98]

Well it seems like all of my ranting (and the obvious fact) is finally paying off. The dealer will replace the Piston rings in the next few weeks.

Fingers Crossed !~

Piston Rings replaced, valve stem seals replace, Engine feels MUCh stronger now, and the idle is smoother.

Checked the oil level after 500 miles and it is dead nuts where it was.

I actually think after 39 months of ownership, this car is acting like it should