2012 Q5 Oil Consuption - Turbo leak or rings?

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Jun 5, 2024 | 11:20 AM

craig.wilson1

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2012 Q5 Oil Consuption - Turbo leak or rings?

I see that there are several threads out there re: oil consumption, but most are around the pistons/rings. I saw another thread somewhere that recommended that you rule out the PCV and Turbo Oil leakage issues before attacking the Oil Ring issue.

My 2012 Q5 is losing/burning 1 qt every 600-800 miles. I have the newer factory PCV valve, so I assume the issue is either a turbo oil seal leak or the rings. I don't have any CEL issues.

Can anyone tell me how to rule out turbo oil leaks?

Also, if it turns out to be the rings (likely, I assume). I've seen some posts that recommend Cummins Restore as a partial/full fix vs. replacing pistons and rings. Any experience from others?

Jun 5, 2024 | 05:08 PM

silver_tt

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From: 2014 Q5 2.0T

You would have to leak down the turbo to rule it out but by now we know it's almost for sure the rings especially if you're burning that much oil. I am burning 1 quart every 2,000 miles and it has been gradual, currently at 131K miles on the odometer. Change your oil every 3K miles if you aren't already.

If you can wait a couple of months I will post the results of the Restore product and you can use my experience to determine if it's worth trying for you.

Jun 5, 2024 | 05:32 PM

craig.wilson1

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Thanks for the information. I tried the BG EPR product on 2 consecutive oil changes recently and my oil consumption did not improve noticeably. I was planning on just adding oil when needed for a few months until making a decision to pull the engine and attempt the piston/ring replacement, so I definitely have time to see if you get good results with Cummins restore. Hope it works!

Jun 5, 2024 | 05:46 PM

silver_tt

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From: 2014 Q5 2.0T

No problem. I am expecting it to work and it would be a great solution, but you never know. Others have had success doing a piston soak with Berrymans but it's riskier and not as good for the engine; the Restore would be the easiest and most elegant solution if it works. I am trying to put as many miles on the engine as I can now with almost 1,000 miles on my first OCI of the Restore but will need 2-3 more months because I will be on vacation most of next month and the car won't be driven while we are away. I can't lie, I am very curious to see if it works too

..... the best Porsche specialists in the USA told me it worked wonders to clean the rings on the Porsche 911 and other models, so it should work on the Audis I would think, I can't think of a reason it wouldn't, but I will know soon enough. I will definitely post the results either way.... and if it works I am going to use it on my father's Acura SUV too.

Jun 11, 2024 | 08:50 AM

simplesez

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From: Stuck on the Internet

a 2012 Q5 is worth 3 to 9k as a trade in now right? Might be time to unload it soon before it's got no value left. Or rebuild/replace the engine. You will not get a CEL for the oil consumption issue. You'll likely chase the issue forever without a replacement engine.