Vw transporter t5 04 van t30 2.5

I have had exactly the same thing happen to me. In the end it was a faulty water pump which was allowing water into the engine.

We have just had a Tdi through our shop, slowly using water, no leaks external to the engine.
Very slight trace of water at oil filler cap, shining a torch down the filler neck shows oil startng to change colour with water, a lot of vapour coming out of neck when hot.
Conversation with another VW mechanic says, water pump leaks water in oil when faulty, oil cooler leaks oil into water when faulty.
Hope this helps.

I have a 2006 T5 130 PS, bought new, never thrashed. At 140k miles got low water level light on then noticed water in oil (not oil in water). Turned out to be WATER PUMP which (unusually) is housed within the crank case. The bearing was shot to pieces thus allowing water into sump. I saw the old pump and there was 5mm lateral play in bearing - it was bad. But no noises when running. Go to your water pump FIRST, oh - and you need a special puller (borrowed from VW agent) to get old one off. BTW. I just got it back from 200k service today and VW charge £12.95 / ltr for the oil plus VAT. and it took 8.3 ltrs = £126 just for the oil. BUT make sure you use proper stuff 'LONG LIFE III' with spec of 507 00. Its made from gold and diamonds crushed up together (well it must be). DON'T use anything else. I had camshaft and followers replaced at 150k miles because my previous mechanic used lower spec oil. Cost me a grand.

Emissionwiz your wrong and dont give people false info as its a common vw problem on the transporters that oil mixing with the water is 99% the square box on the bottom of engine where the oil filter fits onto it gets blocked brakes lets oil fill into the water so dont give information on what you know as it sounds like your thinking this is a car its not and if you were talking about a car i would say the same , but unless you know about vw transporters then say nothing , ive had 5 with all the same problem , i buy them because people think its the head gone yet i get them flush the system buy a new box and oil filter , problem solved , another thing the box eventualy lets that much oil into the water it blocks everything up and your heaters go cold , so fix the box that the oil filter joins onto flush your system , new oil , and your off on you travels again , but watch for mechanics saying its the head gasket tell them about this common fault , ive forgot what you call the sqaure box thing , becasue most mechanics will say its the head then replace the box for £40 and charge you £350 so do the cheap little things 1st before going for the head gasket change but if it is the head its only £320 to fix up newcastle from a reputable garage yet vw charge you an arm and a leg so dont just think your head gasket has gone its very rare they go on the t4 upwards. hope this helps if i remember the correct name for the box thing i will update you all.

Hi. I had the low water level alarm come upbut was able to drive for 10 miles without water temp going up. Header tank emptied when i filled it. Took it to garage who found split in header tank. fault came back took it back to the garage.Mechanic found water in sump. Solution = Water pump leaking. Apparently this type of water pump can leak into the sump. Cost

I had the same problem, it was a faulty water pump and oil cooler. Replaced both and all is OK.

Dont listen to people who say its a head problem as they never go on a T5

If w ater go indi oil yu hed problem to water pomp i hed cengid to water pomp hed seym problem

If there is water in the oil you have either a blown head gasket or a cracked block or cylinder head.