nicknick Posted May 11, 2006 Report Share Posted May 11, 2006 Hi - I originally posted this in the A6 forum ...but haven't had a response so am hoping the wider audience on this forum might be able to help .... My 1998 A6 2.5 tdi (with 118,000 miles on) has just started smoking at idle (once engine warmed up ). It doesn't happen at start up - but once you've driven the car and then stop and let the car idle after about a 30 - 60 seconds wait the smoke starts (which is white (well...it's more grey but it's not black or blue)). If sat idling it will smoke like this until you pull away and pick up speed at which point it stops. There is no loss of power at all. There is no oil leak appararent and no loss of water or rise in water or oil temp etc and fuel consumption is normal. I've done some searching and two options I've seen are that it could be the EGR valve failing and not opening at idle or the crank case breather filter (located between the turbo and rear of the diesel pump). I'm inclined to get it booked in at the dealers thinking that they'll at least be able to check for codes that the EGR might have thrown.....but I'd welcome anything that I might be able to check myself or thoughts that might avoid a trip to the dealers and allow me to send it to the local garage. P.S - I have since tried some forte diesel formula as recommended by garage as the first thing to try - but that doesn't seem to have made any difference. Thanks in advance Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soapsuds Posted May 11, 2006 Report Share Posted May 11, 2006 could be the turbo seals, but im not too sure on this engine. On the Starion and other petrol turbos, white smoke often means the seals are on thier way out..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicknick Posted May 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2006 Beginning to think you might be right - have read lots of similar posts on other cars to suggest this. Think I'll have to get the car into Audi for a proper look... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicknick Posted May 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2006 I range local dealers today to get it booked in - but on describing the problem they put me through to someone who I assume was a technician. He said (without me prompting) that he was pretty sure it would be a blocked crankcase breather filter and said this would explain why I didn't get the problem from cold as the build up of fumes would release gradually overnight. He said I could test by taking the oil filler cap off when the engine was hot - and if I get a hiss from the release of the pressure built up that would also help confirm it as the filter. so - just done that - quick drive to get engine hot , then pull over and smoking starts. Popped the bonnet and release the oil filler and sure enough plenty of pressure released ...and with the cap off after 30 seconds or so the smoking stops. Cap back on and 30-60 seconds later smoking again. So - seems to look promising that this is all it is....and if it is then top marks to Audi for the easy diagnosis. Only problem is that he said it is about 3 hours work to replace the filter as it's awkward to get to and requires removal of diesel injector unit (I might have got that bit wrong ) so I'm tempted to get it done at an independant only I don't have or know of one in the West / North Yorkshire area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edd_W Posted May 26, 2006 Report Share Posted May 26, 2006 You could try my brother-in-laws machanic. He is self employed but you can get in touch via www.faroper.com or try FAR Servicing in the phone book, he has a workshop on the same site as my brother-in-laws garage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicknick Posted May 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2006 Thanks for the link - Bradford is not a prob as I work that way a couple of times a week. Have looked at the site - are you saying that your brother in laws mechanic (is your brother in law connected with FA Roper ?)does work for FARoper on his own premises next door - so I could contact him via FA Roper ..or try to contact the mechanic direct to do the work ? Thanks for the help so far... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicknick Posted June 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2006 Update is car was at dealers on Wednesday and they confirmed the crankcase breather filter...part was about £40...fitting was £260 +VAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatspot Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 Thanks nicknick for your posting on this thread just about to shellout £600 on a new turbo when I read it. Changed filter and car now perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicknick Posted March 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2007 Glad it was of help... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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