my audi 3.0 tdi smokes when idling

[ianstennett]

just bought a a4 quattro 3.0 tdi 2006 and noticed if left to idle for about ten minutes it will start to smoke ( blue/grey colour ) . normal driving there is no smoke. would this be an injector gone?? also noticed the oil keeps filling up, would this be diesel getting into the oil from the injector or a turbo fault??

[Dan3222]

Hi Ian, very high chance that is a leaky injector,  if it’s definately derv making the oil level rise. 

Check under oil filler cap, if there’s loads of white/yellow gunk you have water in the oil. Shouldn’t be much of anything there if it’s diesel.

lift dip stick out and wipe off on tissue paper, smell the paper to see if it smells of diesel.

If it is deiesel in the oil I am not suprprised it smokes on idle. Probably does on acceleration too.

Be careful, not good for lots of derv in the oil. 

Cant see it being a turbo issue.

[ianstennett]

Thanks for the reply. 

There is no gunk under the filler cap so definitely not water . 

Would it be new injectors or do they have seals that fail?? 

Been looking about and injectors are fairly pricey 

[Dan3222]

Yes seals should sort this.  Is there an independent Vw Audi specialist or diesel specialist you could get a quote from to do this?

[Magnet]

Hello Ian,

As Dan says, diesel contamination of engine oil is not good news, and does put some urgency on getting this issue sorted, and of course getting the oil and filter changed once sorted. 

You are correct in thinking injectors are expensive, and my experience of diesels does not extend to be knowledgable about whether seals are the key fix here. 

Personally, I would not simply entrust this to an Audi independent, but I would be seeking the services of a trusted local diesel specialist, since these will be the source of your expertise. Apologies to those reading this who have heard this on a number of occasions before, but advice on trusted diesel in your locality, can often be obtained by chatting with your local taxi drivers and asking for their recommendations. 

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

 

[Dan3222]

These V6’s are not the easiest to work on and someone with experience with them would be best, hence my suggestion. If it was the 2.0, 1.9 or even the 1.6 TDI then that is a different matter as they are commonly fitted in many many vehicles.

[niedzial1983]

Injectors . Get them out on a test bench to see with one is leaking 

[niedzial1983]

Also when you have them out replace copper seals , it will stop making the typical diesel tapping nosie. Seals are few £ only 

[ianstennett]

Perfect, it’s going into the garage tomorrow so will pass this information on. Thanks for the help and will let u know the outcome  

[Dan3222]

Any progress Ian?

[ianstennett]

The garages reader is playing up at the minute but taking it somewhere else next week. Spoke to a mate who said it needs plugging into my obd2 and that’ll tell me which injector has gone. Which is great so that’ll save taking them all out to try 

[Dan3222]

Ok. Be interesting to see what happens.