Hi, just after a bit of advice please. I have a 2012 A3 diesel and around a month ago had it serviced with new oil and air filter change. Since then I have been getting intermittent white smoke coming out of exhaust when I drive for a minute or two then goes. Is this something to be worried about or will this clear up on its own? Thanks in advance 👍🏻

White smoke usually indicates coolant leaking into the engine, not oil which gives grey or blue smoke. Is the coolant level dropping?

I’m not too sure, I’ve had no warnings pop up on my dash. The man who done the service said he was topping up coolant. I don’t really know much about cars 🤦🏻‍♂️, is the coolant mixed with my water? Shall I check if that has dropped ? If it is coolant, how would I go about sorting this and is it a serious fault? Thanks

Ray.

Coolant is the name for the water & antifreeze mixture that cools the engine. It should not need to be topped up more than once every few years, if at all.

Evidently your coolant is leaking into the engine, but whether you need to do anything immediately depends how rapidly it is being lost. Look in your handbook to find how to fill up the reservoir. (This is one of the regular maintenance checks that every motorist should be capable of, along with tyre pressures and oil level.) If you need to top up every 100 miles or less then you are risking damage to the engine. The repair usually involves a new EGR (exhaust gas return valve) which is rather expensive and difficult to fit.

Okay thank very much Cliff, I’ll check the water levels several time later this week to see if it’s decreasing quickly. Cheers for the info 👍🏻

We'd be glad to read any updates on the situation.

No probs, marked the reservoir water/coolant thing with a pen yesterday. have drove about 60 miles today, about 30 on the motorway. Checked my water/coolant levels tonight and no sign of it dropping at all. I know it’s only been one day, so I’ll keep checking through the week 👍🏻

Any news on this Ray?

Hi, yeh I’ve just continued to drive it as normal, there are no warning lights or change in performance in the car that I can notice. My fluid levels have just stayed the same also. No leaks under car after checking overnight. The grey smoke still comes out, usually in first 5 minutes of driving it, but it seems to just come out for about 2-3 minutes then the smoke stops completely till I finish my journey. I still haven’t got a clue what’s happening with it 🤦🏻‍♂️

That the "smoke" only appears for a few minutes after starting the engine is new information, which I wish you had mentioned earlier to save both our times. That means it is only steam and should be ignored.

Water is one product of fuel combustion. It condenses to a visible cloud in a cold exhaust; but becomes invisible as the system warms up. It will be more apparent in low temperatures.

Okay but it’s never done this before, it’s only just started doing it over the past month since I had a oil change 

Apologies for jumping in here, but are you looking for any connection between an oil change and your smoke situation? 
If you are concerned that the ‘smoke’ is due to coolant entering the combustion - e.g. head gasket issues - then it would consume coolant, which you say it doesn’t. 
Condensation would be my conclusion, sight unseen, during this high humidity period. 
One question:- does the ‘smoke’ smell of diesel?
Regards,

Gareth.  

Thanks Gareth, funnily enough I’ve never noticed any smell until tonight, I got out off my car and smelt a sort of strong diesel/oil smell from the car. Temp bar seems fine too, still stuck on 90 degrees 

Now that we know that, I think it would be wise to consider this as a potential (diesel) fuelling issue. Even if it is, I cannot see it would be connected to an oil change.

Worth search for a local diesel specialist.

Regards,

Gareth. 

Thanks for the info 👍🏻

Please keep us up to date on progress Ray.

Many thanks,

Gareth. 

Hi, so the smoke situation has escalated, had a bit of smoke coming from under bonnett, checked oil and almost empty, put couple of litres of oil back in then when drove Huge amounts of white smoke out of exhaust when driving. Drove to my usual local garage mechanic, he had quick look an believes this may be a Turbo issue causing this. Does this sound right and does anyone know how much am likely to get charged to have this fixed/replaced. Thanks in advance 

1 hour ago, Revo79 said:

Hi, so the smoke situation has escalated, had a bit of smoke coming from under bonnett, checked oil and almost empty, put couple of litres of oil back in then when drove Huge amounts of white smoke out of exhaust when driving. Drove to my usual local garage mechanic, he had quick look an believes this may be a Turbo issue causing this. Does this sound right and does anyone know how much am likely to get charged to have this fixed/replaced. Thanks in advance 

Hi if the oil is running out through the turbo I would not be driving it very far as when it goes full blown it sucks the oil into the intake side and runs on it, worse case scenario is you can't turn the engine off the car has to be stalled, bit difficult when your going down the road at warp speed because the engine has found a new source of fuel, a new unit from Audi will muller your bank balance but a refurbed unit is probably between £400-600 plus fitting.

Steve.

Thanks Steve 

So just had my turbo replaced yesterday, was told to take car on motorway to blow out last of smoke and oil. I’ve just been on motorway and all the smoke has cleared and car running great, but after about 15 miles the turbo has started making a loud whining noise when I press the accelerator, and gets louder the faster I go and when revs go over 1.5. Gonna take it back in garage on Monday, any ideas what this is and is it still safe to drive about now. Thanks 

50 minutes ago, Revo79 said:

So just had my turbo replaced yesterday, was told to take car on motorway to blow out last of smoke and oil. I’ve just been on motorway and all the smoke has cleared and car running great, but after about 15 miles the turbo has started making a loud whining noise when I press the accelerator, and gets louder the faster I go and when revs go over 1.5. Gonna take it back in garage on Monday, any ideas what this is and is it still safe to drive about now. Thanks 

Hi they have probably bought the cheapest turbo they could get, there is reconditioned and reconditioned cheaper companies tend to use less new parts and inferior bearings, the place I use Essex Turbos only use the top flight bearings and anything suspect is renewed I have used them for twenty years and never had a problem, they are not as cheap as online reconditioned units but you can see where the extra money went when they dont fail, also check the garage put a new oil feed pipe on and changed the oil and filter, yes its safe to drive.

Steve.

Cheers for the info Steve