2016 204 4motion oil analysis 1.9% soot in 3k

[T6 Goofy]

Hi all,

I bought a 2016 T6 204 4motion privately last year. It’s currently on 64k miles and has had an oil change every year according to its history.

Having read a few of the threads on the CXEB problems I started to get a bit worried so did a Millers oil analysis. I’ve not noticed the van using much oil in the ~4000 miles I’ve done in it and the oil in it is about 2900 miles old.

The results have come back showing soot at ‘critical’ levels at 1.9%. Iron isn’t particularly high and the notes of the test say nothing suggests excessive wear.

Any thoughts on the cause of the soot levels? An EGR issue perhaps?

Any thoughts would be great appreciated - thanks

 

[Dellmassive]

Interesting. How much oil is it using?

 

[T6 Goofy]

Not enough to ring alarm bells. I’ve not noticed it using a lot since I’ve had it. I’m keeping a very close eye on oil levels now though.

 

[Sasquatch]

Soot in the lube is caused by unburned fuel. Stuff like worn piston rings, dodgy injector spray pattern, over-rich fuel/air ratio, EGR problems, and a partridge in a pear tree can cause this.

 

[Dellmassive]

where did you get the millers test kit?

i might get mine done....

 

[T6 Goofy]

From Millers oil shop…

Millers Oils Shop

Purchase Millers Oils products online through the official shop

www.millersoils-shop.co.uk

 

[Alster]

Is it mapped or had a tuning box fitted?

 

[Sasquatch]

If it is appoarently running fine and not consuming undue amounts of oil I'd be inclined to drain the oil, carefully flush it, refill and then see how it goes from there in case it was an aberrant result for some unknown reason.

 

[Dellmassive]

here is the 204 cxeb thead if your interested... . . . internal oil loss is the first sign of trouble.

• 204ps Bi-Turbo CXEB T6 Engine & Turbo problems

.

 

[peteaufc]

@T6 Goofy this is actually a pretty similar concern to the oil analysis that I just had done as well. 7k miles on the oil and soot level critical at 2.9%. I've not noticed significant oil use (topped up maybe 300ml over the 7k miles) and never had a warning light to top up.

T6 2017 204 4motion DSG, bought privately a year ago. I've done over 13k miles (daily driver - usual commute of around 14 miles and 25mins with mix of country road and urban driving). It now has 58,500 on the clock. I've monitored recent DPF regens and was about 85 miles between regen when solely doing my commute, up to 190 miles when much longer trips.

I asked Millers if deleting the EGR may cause the soot problems - their response (understandably) was "there is a good chance yes, but unfortunately it’s not something we can personally recommend."

Seriously considering that as an option though, as they recommend oil changes every 3k miles now, which seems ridiculous to me. That said, being aware of the other issues with this engine, I want to do everything I can to protect it.

Any thoughts or recommendations of what to do/consider would be greatly appreciated.

Equally, if anyone else spots anything of concern in my report that would also be appreciated!

 

[T6 Goofy]

Is it mapped or had a tuning box fitted?

It isn’t - completely standard

 

[peteaufc]

Mine has a Revo stage 1 driveability map and a TVS (?) gearbox map.

 

[T6 Goofy]

If it is appoarently running fine and not consuming undue amounts of oil I'd be inclined to drain the oil, carefully flush it, refill and then see how it goes from there in case it was an aberrant result for some unknown reason.

Yes I’m going to change the oil straightaway. I’ve got a trip to the alps in it coming up, so a good test for oil usage and I’ll get another analysis done afterwards.

@T6 Goofy this is actually a pretty similar concern to the oil analysis that I just had done as well. 7k miles on the oil and soot level critical at 2.9%. I've not noticed significant oil use (topped up maybe 300ml over the 7k miles) and never had a warning light to top up.

T6 2017 204 4motion DSG, bought privately a year ago. I've done over 13k miles (daily driver - usual commute of around 14 miles and 25mins with mix of country road and urban driving). It now has 58,500 on the clock. I've monitored recent DPF regens and was about 85 miles between regen when solely doing my commute, up to 190 miles when much longer trips.

I asked Millers if deleting the EGR may cause the soot problems - their response (understandably) was "there is a good chance yes, but unfortunately it’s not something we can personally recommend."

Seriously considering that as an option though, as they recommend oil changes every 3k miles now, which seems ridiculous to me. That said, being aware of the other issues with this engine, I want to do everything I can to protect it.

Any thoughts or recommendations of what to do/consider would be greatly appreciated.

Equally, if anyone else spots anything of concern in my report that would also be appreciated!

View attachment 274419

Yes very similar results. How are you monitoring regen? Through a Bluetooth OBD2 scanner?

Has anyone ever had an oil analysis done which didn’t show high soot levels?

 

[peteaufc]

Yes very similar results. How are you monitoring regen? Through a Bluetooth OBD2 scanner?

Carista with the free CarScanner app - works well as I can see it on my wireless Android auto, so easy to turn on and check while driving.

Only started monitoring/recording as closely since this oil analysis.

 

[LackenbyH]

Just jumping in here as I've just had a similar issue...I got my local VW specialist who's been looking after our old T25 for 10+ years to service our 2016 T6 4Motion BiTDi Caravelle, full oil / filter change, etc.. When we purchased the van in Nov25 we got a Millers oil sample done and got the all clear, ~6K miles later with no warning lights on and only a little oil topped up in that period I've had another sample done and it's come back all clear for metals in the oil, but soot at a 'critical' 2.3% level...before I got the report back, but after the oil service I drove a 6 hour round trip along the M4 through those annoying 50mph sections to get a Kombi-Rak fitted and the EML came on with the Carista giving me the P040100 (Insufficient EGR Flow) good news message!

So excessive soot levels in the old oil but no EML, fresh oil and a long, low rev 50-70mph drive to/from Wales and then the Insufficient EGR Flow warning appears.

We have a 2 week, 3000km European road trip planned for 1st Aug and I'm now worried about the engine giving up on us...any thoughts, suggestions welcomed. Do we need a new EGR before we go? Can I rely on the Carista to clear the fault if it returns and allow us to get round Europe? Any other thoughts as time to get a fix is slipping away?