It's going past the rings, but it's not too bad yet since you must be getting about 1000 miles/qt.  Cold starts, high vacuum coasting, etc. will exacerbate oil consumption in a high mileage engine.

Stuart 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Don Hanson
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2017 9:44 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Oil.. Where's it go?

84 5sp w/ABA hybrid inline motor...93 jetta block with crossflow 8 valve
head and Digifant..no cat exhaust.
  I've driven this van for some years now, it's always used a little oil...
about a qt every 3 - 4 tanks of gas..  I've never seen any smoke behind,
and I've ridden miles, uphill and down, right behind the van as my S.O.
drove it in support at bike races.   There's a slight leak at the filler
neck where it enters the oil pan, but I never see any oil specks on the
tailgate..
   So no oil on the back, no smoking out the tailpipe either at 5000 rpms
and full throttle or on extended downhill engine braking.
   I've done the head once, when I built this motor it got valve guide
seals Only... the guides were within spec.  Sparkplugs looked right when I
replaced them.
   I put any oil in... but I use 15/40 when I change the filter, and I try
to keep some along when I travel.
  So where the heck is this oil?  Not a big deal, but it seems like other
motors I've "worn out" are stinky and smoky or they. put spots on the rear
as they puke out oil... guesses? thanks