A strange problem!

[elmo]

I unfortunately have one of the S4s that likes to drink engine oil, although it is within the consumption figures stated within the owner's manuals.

I do believe engine oil consumption is linked with the chain tensioner issue, as mine makes the 'charactueristic' rattle on start-up as quite alot of the S4s do. However, this is not the problem!

The problem I have is that when my engine oil level warning light comes on I normally put about 0.5lit of oil in the engine. This then switches off the warning light. After approximately 70 miles, the warning light comes back on again. I have checked the oil level and it is fine and if I leave it for 5mins and then start the car again, it doesn't come on again until it needs oil again, which is normally a few weeks.

The first time this happened, I put more oil in (only 0.25lt) but I have got into the habit of checking the level now. It only happens after I fill it with oil and only once. Has anyone experienced this before?

Not that it is a huge problem, more of an annoyance.

I would prefer to know why some engines use a lot of oil and some use hardly any, but this may be down to either:

A) The gods.

B) Service plans, oil used, driving styles, engine run in procedures used and the Gods again.

Any information on the oil warning light issue would be gratefully received.

Thanks

[no_RS]

Elmo,

Unless your car is actually leaking oil, the only place it can go is into the engine via the crankcase breathing system. It is worth checking your air filter is clean wth no obstuctions, any restrictions would allow the engine to draw more from the crankcase ventilatiopn system. I know the B7 RS4 uses a cyclonic oil separater which is not upto the job hence high consumption. Also being on long life oil doesn't help as it so thin. Might be worth a call to MRC Tuning as they have been working on the oil control system in the B7 RS4 because the manifolds are getting filled with oil.

I think the chain tensioners are not the problem as any leaks would find there way back to the sump.

[BlingBling]

In my experience a big factor in oil consumption is brand. Also I do not think that the chain tensioner and oil consumtption are linked.

[MattS5]

I dont think its safe practice to wait for the light to come on either. Can you not check it weekly?