TVdon25

Recently purchased, and loving it. Great shape, Runs great. 177,000 miles, no engine noises or leaks, runs as well as my 95 A6 2.8 did back in 2000. It appears, however, that it is now using a quart or so of oil between oil changes (3000 mi). Don't know how long it's been doing it. Guy who sold it to me assured me it wasn't using any oil. Uh huh. I get some black dust on the rear quarters, but no smoke or smell from the exhaust. Question is, what is it that typically goes, rings? Valves? Will it progressively burn more, and is it ultimately worse/more costly to repair if I let it go, or am I in for the same thing whether I do it now or later? It's just a summer pleasure car, probably only putting 5k a year on it. Thanks for any insight.

Rusty Spokes

What oil are you running now? I my two 2.8 12v engines I found that with 5w30 the engines would use some oil.
One quart every 3000 miles is not bad.
I use 15w40 Delo in my high mileage 170k 2.8 engine..and 5w40 Pennzoil Ultra Euro in my 90k 2.8 Audi engine..Oil usage is maybe 1/2 a quart in 5000 miles.

In that you change the oil every 3000 miles..use a good 15w40 Dino oil and see if that helps.

Also, replace the oil filler cap with the updated OEM Audi part number 078103485F, about $30..it has a breather valve in it that helps the PVC system. Don't but this part off the net..get it from the dealer..there are a lot of knock-off oil filler caps out there and they don't work very well.

flailhyena

Only a quart every 3000 miles? Don't sweat it.

TVdon25

It's running 10w40 now. I will change to the 15w40, and also get the filler cap. Good suggestions. Thanks. What amount of usage would be considered a problem?

New question. Not a mission critical issue, but AC needs a refill. Doesn't appear that there is a low side connection to use for filling. Not sure how to (or if I can) add refridgerant on the high side. Do I need a pro to do it?

Rusty Spokes

If you get to 1 quart every 1000 miles..and you do not see any leaks..then some work may be needed.

Yep..no low side connection on the A/C..you need an low side a/c adapter or the means to refill from the high side and some experience with A/C.

Find a good Audi shop and have them pull a vacuum on the system..see if you have any A/C leaks then if not..recharge and enjoy.

Prospeeder

All the 12v seem to use oil eventually. My old 100 used a quart a week. It was awful. I ended up removing the heads and redid the stem seals. They were hard as a rock. It made a full oil change without adding a drop of oil after I did that. Engine had 210k on it and cylinder walls still had cross hatch pattern on them and no ridge what so ever.