Sorry for the bump but was this ever resolved?
2003 VW Polo 1.2 55 3-cylinder sohc with 83k mileage. It runs fine, no misfire, no knocking, and no lack of power – he says 4th gear is a bit sluggish but it picks up well in 5th - and no smoking from exhaust. There is no oil in the water or vice-versa. There is no soapy residue on the filler cap but the top to the expansion tank does smell a little of burnt petrol – I know petrol won't be in here but that's the best description I can think of – but not the normal head gasket failure smell.
The main issue he's got is that he has to fill up between half a litre and a litre of oil every 2-3 days after travelling no more than 100 miles in that time; otherwise the oil level low light comes on. It's not a faulty oil switch as the oil is at the bottom of the dipstick or not there at all. Curiously the oil is a shiny silver colour – rather than dirty black or clear yellowy-orange - on the bottom of the dipstick but with it being filled so regularly I don't think it's unusual as the new oil mixes with the older oil still in the sump. He's using the recommended 5w30 fully synthetic to top up.
We've tried removing the oil filler cap with the engine running and the revs drop to almost stalling, put cap back on and revs return to normal tick-over.
He first noticed the problem when he had a large amount of white smoke pulling off at a roundabout, there was that much smoke he thought he'd used the wrong fuel at first but checked his receipt and it was correct. It cleared after little more than a second, and only returns on start-up and when the engine is first started. The car had stood for a month prior to this journey so may be something or nothing.
I'd think if it was valve seals or piston rings that the oil would have to be free-flowing past and down the exhaust to lose the amount he is but the exhaust fumes are quite clear and there's no liquid, either water or oil, coming out of the exhaust.
I've been looking for oil marks on the road under the car and noticed this morning patches made obvious by the rain
I've got it booked into an independent trustworthy garage on Thursday but wondered if anyone had any suggestions to check out before taking it in?
2003 VW Polo 1.2 55 3-cylinder sohc with 83k mileage. It runs fine, no misfire, no knocking, and no lack of power – he says 4th gear is a bit sluggish but it picks up well in 5th - and no smoking from exhaust. There is no oil in the water or vice-versa. There is no soapy residue on the filler cap but the top to the expansion tank does smell a little of burnt petrol – I know petrol won't be in here but that's the best description I can think of – but not the normal head gasket failure smell.
The main issue he's got is that he has to fill up between half a litre and a litre of oil every 2-3 days after travelling no more than 100 miles in that time; otherwise the oil level low light comes on. It's not a faulty oil switch as the oil is at the bottom of the dipstick or not there at all. Curiously the oil is a shiny silver colour – rather than dirty black or clear yellowy-orange - on the bottom of the dipstick but with it being filled so regularly I don't think it's unusual as the new oil mixes with the older oil still in the sump. He's using the recommended 5w30 fully synthetic to top up.
We've tried removing the oil filler cap with the engine running and the revs drop to almost stalling, put cap back on and revs return to normal tick-over.
He first noticed the problem when he had a large amount of white smoke pulling off at a roundabout, there was that much smoke he thought he'd used the wrong fuel at first but checked his receipt and it was correct. It cleared after little more than a second, and only returns on start-up and when the engine is first started. The car had stood for a month prior to this journey so may be something or nothing.
I'd think if it was valve seals or piston rings that the oil would have to be free-flowing past and down the exhaust to lose the amount he is but the exhaust fumes are quite clear and there's no liquid, either water or oil, coming out of the exhaust.
I've been looking for oil marks on the road under the car and noticed this morning patches made obvious by the rain
I've got it booked into an independent trustworthy garage on Thursday but wondered if anyone had any suggestions to check out before taking it in?
