Syn Oil Consumption

What weight was the Castrol? If it was thicker than 10W-30 this may be why.

I think that its normal for a new engine to use some oil during break-in though.

Randall Br> After putting 2,000 miles on my new engine (1600cc Type 1 Beetle), I

The Castrol used for break-in (to 300 mi.) was straight 30W. After that, Castrol 20W 50.

Well, half a pint is hard to measure. If you were parked at a slight incline either way, the stick may read half a pint off. Too, I think that 10W30 is too thin for a VW engine unless you are in a colder climate. I use straight 30 weight, but I live in GA, and I've never had any problems with my engines.

So many factors...just keep an eye on it and if it gets to where its a quart (lower mark on dipstick) then that will be much more noticeable, or at least half a quart.

Randall Br> The Castrol used for break-in (to 300 mi.) was straight 30W. After that,

Synthetic oil in a beetle? Are you sure the oil seals are compatible with synthetic, if not they will leak. I use 15/40 mineral oil from VW, it's cheap and has much higher rating than the oil that was put in it in 1969! Work great. In my transmission I have semi-sythetic 75/90 to help it in the mornings, very good for old gearbox's - all IMO of course.

--Steve

Actually, I must have been at a slight, imperceptible angle, because I checked it again at the filling station, and it was at exactly the "full" level. False alarm.

That's a good point about the seals. I don't know if my new engine was designed for synoil. I'll look into it.

Last year Hot VW's had a very good article on seals and synthtics. No problems.

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