MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => How to Guides / Troubleshooting => Topic started by: Black9 on December 20, 2011, 03:29:44 pm

Title: Smell of petrol in my engine oil!!!???
Post by: Black9 on December 20, 2011, 03:29:44 pm
Was checking oil level today and noticed the smell of petrol in my engine oil! First time I've noticed it and a bit worried tbh, don't want it to cause any damage to the engine... Any ideas what it could be? Fuel consumption has been pretty poor too if that helps
Title: Re: Smell of petrol in my engine oil!!!???
Post by: Dan648v on December 20, 2011, 03:39:41 pm
Sounds like your cars running rich! If its really rich it can wash the bore and petrol get into the oil, makes the oil hon and smell like you say. Bore wash is not a good thing and thin oil won't be very protective to your engine.

Is your car tuned? Remapped?
Title: Re: Smell of petrol in my engine oil!!!???
Post by: Dan648v on December 20, 2011, 03:40:59 pm
* hon is meant to say thin. Got to love iPhones :)
Title: Re: Smell of petrol in my engine oil!!!???
Post by: Hedge on December 20, 2011, 03:46:41 pm
Or it could be your hpfp or cam follower has failed.

I suggest you get it check ASAP followed by an oil change.
Title: Re: Smell of petrol in my engine oil!!!???
Post by: Black9 on December 20, 2011, 03:50:50 pm
Cars stock apart from a panel filter, what's the HPFP? How's the best way to investigate the prob? Might book the car in for an "emergency" oil & filter change to take precautions against anything being damaged!
Title: Re: Smell of petrol in my engine oil!!!???
Post by: Hedge on December 20, 2011, 03:53:15 pm
High Pressure Fuel Pump.

Gold 'Hitachi' object on the front right of the engine as you look at it.
Title: Re: Smell of petrol in my engine oil!!!???
Post by: Hedge on December 20, 2011, 03:55:08 pm
From the gawjoos Carl.

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,8339.0.html
Title: Re: Smell of petrol in my engine oil!!!???
Post by: Black9 on December 20, 2011, 04:05:45 pm
Is there any sure way whether to determine if the fuel pump is goosed or would I just have to replace it, change oil/filter & go from there?

Thanks for quick replies
Title: Re: Smell of petrol in my engine oil!!!???
Post by: Black9 on December 20, 2011, 04:23:03 pm
Is there any chance of it being the piston rings that are damaged?
Title: Re: Smell of petrol in my engine oil!!!???
Post by: rich83 on December 20, 2011, 04:41:35 pm
How bad is the petrol smell in the oil? Mine smells a bit fuely too, I've been assured by Alex @BDM thats its normal.
Title: Re: Smell of petrol in my engine oil!!!???
Post by: Black9 on December 20, 2011, 04:46:53 pm
It's not extremely strong but enough to smell it whilst the dipstick was out and I was checking oil! The car runs fine tho, no puffs of black smoke or no black spots on the rear bumper either :surprised: im aware these engines do run a bit rich but not sure how to determine whether this is normal or not....
Title: Re: Smell of petrol in my engine oil!!!???
Post by: rich83 on December 20, 2011, 04:48:06 pm
Where do you live? Id get someone to check it before you start stripping your engine.  :happy2:
Title: Re: Smell of petrol in my engine oil!!!???
Post by: Black9 on December 20, 2011, 07:16:51 pm
From Edinburgh dude, won't be stripping the engine as its runs fine. But I'd want to go to a specialist ideally.  :happy2:
Title: Re: Smell of petrol in my engine oil!!!???
Post by: maxload on December 20, 2011, 07:40:35 pm
How bad is the petrol smell in the oil? Mine smells a bit fuely too, I've been assured by Alex @BDM thats its normal.

Mine also smells a little. I would think this is normal. If it's very strong then get it checked  :smiley:
Title: Re: Smell of petrol in my engine oil!!!???
Post by: Black9 on December 21, 2011, 03:18:05 pm
Had oil and filter replaced today, mech checked it over and couldn't find any faults and assured me it's normal so guess I was being a bit anal :laugh:

Since I've had oil changed gonna get the plugs done at the same time, is there any new revisions with the VW plugs or can I just quote my REG num and take what they have in stock..
Title: Re: Smell of petrol in my engine oil!!!???
Post by: rich83 on December 21, 2011, 03:55:59 pm
Had oil and filter replaced today, mech checked it over and couldn't find any faults and assured me it's normal so guess I was being a bit anal :laugh:

Since I've had oil changed gonna get the plugs done at the same time, is there any new revisions with the VW plugs or can I just quote my REG num and take what they have in stock..

 :signLOL: don't worry I was worried about mine too. You'll notice that now you've had the oil changed it smells exactly the same.

Just quote your reg number at vw for OEM plugs!
Title: Re: Smell of petrol in my engine oil!!!???
Post by: Black9 on December 21, 2011, 04:09:36 pm
Yes it still smells the same :P

Called VW, £13.40 each for plugs :laugh:

Any ideas if parts suppliers such as dingbro etc would do the same ones for cheaper?
Title: Re: Smell of petrol in my engine oil!!!???
Post by: alackofspeed on December 21, 2011, 05:42:51 pm
Plugs - have a look at this thread.

You can always get the warmer plug (7) from the same seller if you'd rather.

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,38720.0.html
Title: Re: Smell of petrol in my engine oil!!!???
Post by: Black9 on December 22, 2011, 09:46:17 am
Thanks for the info. I'll check it out. On a plus note after having the oil/filter changed my MPG increased around 4MPG in town driving!  :xmassmiley:
Title: Re: Smell of petrol in my engine oil!!!???
Post by: greygti on December 22, 2011, 06:42:23 pm
It's called fuel dilution its perfectly normal to a degree ,just unburned fuel passing the rings and finding its way back into the sump,that said if to much fuel is passing the rings this can cause ''bore wash''