White smoke

Tiny
HALKEY
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 AUDI A3
  • 1.9L
  • TURBO
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 77,000 MILES
Bought car three weeks ago. Last week when driving (had it serviced a week and half ago) I noticed white smoke from under the bonnet, opened bonnet, and white smoke with a burning smell was coming from behind the engine area but hard to locate where. Now when driving a lot of white smoke is exiting exhaust pipe and sometimes there is white smoke from behind the engine area. Drained some engine oil as it was over max and mechanic has scanned car but all clear apart from one faulty glow plug (have replaced that but still white smoke) Could it be DPF filter messing up? Engine cap seems fine no debris in there and coolant level is the same with no contamination so cannot be coolant leak. Slightly baffled. Mechanic is going to regen dpf on Monday but I do not think dpf is a problem or else it would show other symptoms such as warning light or higher idle etc. Any ideas of what tests I should ask the mechanic to carry out instead of regen the dpf?

Also, it is a burning smell not sweet which makes me think it cannot be a coolant leak.
Saturday, August 19th, 2017 AT 1:06 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
Hello,

White smoke can be caused by oil or coolant each have a very different smell. Is the oil or coolant low? You can have an internal coolant leak which does not show up on the oil cap. I would try this test.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

and for an external coolant leak.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-is-leaking-coolant

For an oil leak.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-is-leaking-oil

You may need to jack the car up.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jack-up-and-lift-your-car-safely

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken

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Sunday, August 20th, 2017 AT 12:20 PM
Tiny
HALKEY
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Smelly like burning rubber. Oil level is steady and is not going down. Coolant level is also steady and not going down. White smoke from exhaust and behind engine area. Confused
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Sunday, August 20th, 2017 AT 2:42 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
Can you upload a picture of the smoke and where it is coming from please?
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Monday, August 21st, 2017 AT 10:27 AM
Tiny
HALKEY
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Yep.
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Monday, August 21st, 2017 AT 12:34 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
Yes, looks like engine oil. What happens is the cylinder head oil drain back holes get plugged due to sludge inside the engine. Remove the valve cover on both sides and inspect and clean the sludge out.

When you remove the cover there should be large puddles of oil present to confirm the problem.

Here is a guide to help you see what you are in for when doing the job:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-valve-cover-gasket

Here is how it is on your car (below) I hope Im right becasue there are many steps to get the cover off.

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Tuesday, August 22nd, 2017 AT 10:16 AM
Tiny
HALKEY
  • MEMBER
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It's leaking oil from the turbo seals. Can that cause white smoke from exhaust and near engine.
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Tuesday, August 22nd, 2017 AT 10:49 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
Yep sure can. My Bad I should have thought of that. Here is a guide so you can see inside the turbo.

When you get it apart check the turbo end play which will tell you it is worn out.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-turbo-chargers-work

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken

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Tuesday, August 22nd, 2017 AT 11:03 AM

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