Correct oil important

[YTDI]

Is all the buzz about proper vw spec oil really that important?

The reason I ask is, it seem after doing everything right (as far as oil type and service intervals) people are still experiencing cam failures. At what seems to be premature to me (85,000mi-130,000mi). Just wondering what others think about the whole oil deal?

Thanks

[YMZ]

It's much more important for those who own 2009-and-later TDIs, as they must use an oil that is low in ash... (507.00 spec...) else their expensive exhaust systems will suffer...

For the 2004-2006 TDIs (North American models), it's generally conceded that a 5W-40 oil tends to protect the camshaft better than a 5W-30 oil, and many people have had excellent success using a high quality non-VW-505.01-approved oil such as Mobil "Truck & SUV" or Shell Rotella "T6"...

For the even older TDIs, again, a 5W-40 oil protects the upper rings and turbos better than other formulations, and those two oils named above have many fans...

All the best,

Yuri

[jreading]

My 2006 TDI had the correct 5W-30 Volkswagen oil (Castrol) from the dealer every 10K for 166,000 miles and the cam failed. Not sure what would have happened with another oil. All I can say is this is the earliest internal engine failure I have experienced in 35 years of driving.

In my opinion, the oil could not make up for a design flaw. I have replaced the cam, bearings and lifters with hopefully a better set up (Frank06 modified bearings and stage 2 cam). As for oil, I will take my chances with Shell T6 5W-40 oil for the remainder of the life of the car.

My car was maintained flawlessly and the cam failed. I would check every BRM cam and replace as necessary. If mine had gone much longer, the engine would have been ruined and basically the car totaled - a car I expected to run more than 170,000 miles.

[FXDL]

My cam failed at 160,000 km's or so. The car had 96,000 on it when I got it and for sure the BRM's are a pile of crap. Seems to me the way VW makes their cars now, they all are crap now. I was and still run the Amsoil 10w40 which has a higher zinc content in it, and my engine hardly uses any oil. In fact I am surprized at how little it uses. I may try their HDD 5w30 diesel oil for in the cold months up here but so far has not been that cold. The 10w40 has a pour point of some -47 C and the 5w30 even colder which is better for start up I would think.

[FXDL]

You have to ask yourself when, not is it going to fail. It really does not matter what oil is run in them as they will fail sooner or later like it or not. You can run the best or cheapest oil, or VW's crap the 505.01 and they will still fail. We all need to band together and sue VW big time due to the crap they made and or are making.