Volkswagen Passat: 2.0 TSI Excessive Oil Consumption (CAWB/AXX/BWA)

The EA113 and early EA888 2.0 TFSI engines are documented to consume engine oil at rates of 0.5–1.5 litres per 1,000 km due to piston ring design allowing oil to pass into the combustion chamber. Symptoms are worsened by extended oil change intervals and by using non-specification oil. VW acknowledged this issue and in some markets offered piston ring replacement programmes, though these were limited in scope. High oil consumption accelerates carbon buildup on intake valves and can lead to catalytic converter contamination from oil combustion.

• Oil level dropping by 0.5 litre or more per 1,000 km without visible external leaks
• Blue-grey smoke from exhaust on start-up or under hard acceleration
• Fouled spark plugs with oil residue on the electrode
• Catalytic converter failure from sustained oil burning

1. 1

   Check the engine oil level and ask the seller when the oil was last changed and how many litres were added between changes.

2. 2

   Inspect the spark plugs — remove one and look for oily or black deposits on the insulator.

3. 3

   Run the engine from cold and observe the exhaust for blue smoke on start-up.

4. 4

   Check the PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) valve for correct function — a blocked PCV worsens oil consumption dramatically.

Parts involved: Catalytic converter.

$2,500 to $6,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

• “How much oil does the engine use between services, and how often do you top it up?”
• “Has the car ever produced blue smoke on start-up or acceleration?”
• “Has the PCV valve been replaced, and have spark plugs been inspected for oil fouling?”

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.