Valve Stem Seals

[Kamran]

Hi, 

First time on this so apologies if I end up posting on the incorrect forum or anything but would really appreciate any help right now. The problem is in regards to my 2009 Audi A5 Coupe 2LT which I purchased a year ago and carried out a full service upon purchase. More or less for the past 8 - 9 months the car does tend to smoke when idling (sometimes worse than others i.e. at times the smoke would be heavy after 30 seconds and others itll take a while longer). During this time, i've noticed i've been topping up the oil more frequently than I feel i should, within my time of owning the car i've done around 7-8k miles. 

I've recently been to a garage who claim my valve stem seals are the main issue for the smoke on idle. I've done some research as to what causes the issue and the 'symptoms'. However, I just want to know how serious is this problem or can I possibly keep my car running like this for another year or so?

 

Thanks for any help in advance

[Magnet]

Hello Kamran, 

Thanks for being in touch. 

What colour smoke are we talking here? 

When you carried out the full service, what grade and brand of oil did you use - and what brand of filter was used? 

Re smoke and keeping the car running for a year or so as it is:- This will depend on the severity of the smoke, and it’s effect on emissions at MOT time. 

Would I be guessing you bought it with a new MOT? 

You could carry out the following test:- 

Ensure oil and water levels are up to their marks when cold, then take the car on a 15 mile run to ensure the oil I’d fully up to operating temperature. Immediately on return, leave the car idle for at least a couple of minutes, then get an assistant to rev. the car at a steady 2000rpm while you observe any initial smoke emission. If initially visible and excessive, continue to hold that rev for at least another couple of minutes and observe whether the initial smoke disappears and whether any other smoking subsequently occurs. 

Report back to the forum. 

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Kamran]

Hi Gareth,

Thank you for your reply. 

It is a white/very light coloured smoke. As for the service, I am unsure as i'd taken it to a local Audi specialist garage for its service.

Yes, I just completed my MOT this year July and it passed with no minors or issues, however, I believe it was slightly down to luck as the engine perhaps wasn't running for long enough for the smoke to emit excessively. 

I will be sure to carry it out as soon as possible and let you know what happens. 

Thank you once again

Kamran.

 

[Magnet]

Hello Kamran,

Thanks for coming back with the very helpful additional information. 

If you had a valve guide/seal issue, then the smoke would be blue, not white-ish, so based on what you show us so far, personally, I would be discounting the current diagnosis. 

We are talking petrol not diesel here? If diesel white smoke is usually due to unburnt diesel ( with associated smell). 

If this is petrol engined, then if the white smoke isn’t simply condensation in the exhaust - as it often is - it can be caused by burnt coolant via. coolant entering one of the cylinders, but let’s not jump to conclusions here, before we have the result of the test I suggested. 

Two points to reinforce:- Drive the car for at least 15 miles before carrying out the test. When your assistant holds the revs at a steady 2000rpm, make sure that steady rev. is maintained for at least 2 minutes while you observe the exhaust smoke and assess whether there is anything excessive or variable. 

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

p.s. Is the car using any coolant? 

 

[Kamran]

Hi, 

Extremely sorry for the late reply. I've just carried out the test you recommended. I've gone for a 15mile drive to ensure everything is warm and up to the correct temp. 

After the journey, I allowed the car to idle for a bout 5 minutes or so where the exhaust was not emitting as much as it had done on previous occasions. I then asked a friend to rev as you suggested, 2000 rpms for 2 or so minutes and initially, quite a bit of exhaust fumes did emit and after that it was more or less normal and as expected. 

What would this mean or is there any thing else I can do to check or assess what the issue may be? 

 

Thank you in advance. 

P. S. Yes it is a petrol car. 

[Magnet]

Hello Kamran,

Many thanks for coming back on this. 

If you have added a video to your last post, then unfortunately, it’s not working on my system. Having said that, I can envisage the picture from your description, except that I would like to confirm that we are still talking while smoke here - with no hint of blue, or any smell of burnt oil.

One more question:- Is the car losing any amount of coolant? 

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Kamran]

Hi, 

Apologies it seems as thought videos do not attach, I've attempted to insert a screenshot from the video. The smoke was white with no hint of blue to be honest and as for the smell, I would say it did somewhat smell of burning oil, it was quite distinctive. 

Speaking of coolant, I've never seemed to have had an issue with that, nor do any coolant signs or warnings light up in the dashboard (I will check the coolant levels again and let you you know when I next go out). 

Thank you 

Kamran

[Magnet]

Many thanks Kamran.

Re. coolant loss.

Warning light ( low coolant level in header tank) will only illuminate when the level is very low. What we are talking here is the good old fashioned visual check - on a regular basis - and not assuming all is well because a warning light isn’t showing. 

If it were mine, I would be checking the coolant level in the reservoir, when the car is cold and has stood for a few hours - say first thing in the morning. Top the coolant up as accurately as you can, to the Max mark. Run the car for 100 miles or so and check again after the car has sat overnight. 

Report back on whether the coolant level has dropped or not, and if it has, by how much.

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Kamran]

Hi, 

I've checked the coolant level on cold temp before starting up and it seemed to be just below minimum. I've purchased some coolant and will fill up accordingly and carry out the steps you've mentioned above. 

Will keep you updated.

Once again thank you for your help. 

Kamran 

[Magnet]

Thanks Kamran,

’coolant just below minimum...’. Not being overly critical, but it seems you are joining the growing band of putting their trust entirely in the hands of warning lights! This really isn’t the way to respectfully maintain any piece of machinery. Checking oil, water and tyre pressures on a regular basis will certainly reap rewards, and ensure you don’t run into critical situations - as will be the case when your coolant level reaches the minimum. 

Unless you, or the garage that services the car for you, haven’t checked the coolant level for well over a year, it looks as if it may be losing coolant, and if so, this puts your white smoke syndrome into a different league. But let’s see what happens when you top it up to the Max. mark when cold,(50/50 mix of antifreeze and water), and run the car for a couple of hundred miles. 

Kind regards,

Gareth.

p.s. We take it the current coolant is pink/red in colour. If so ensure you only but pink/red OAT coolant to add. Personally, I would buy any so called ‘Universal’ (often ready mixed) coolant. 

 

 

 

 

[Kamran]

Thank you Gareth, 

Yes believe me I've learnt that the hard way, I did have a tendency to always look for warning signs and allow the sensors to do the work for me and its not been of much hell to me. I'll be sure to check physically and manually. 

I've bought the Prestone Universal coolant so after a hundred miles or so or if there's any change in the coolant levels, I'll be sure to update you. 

Thank you once again

[Magnet]

Personally, I would not use this cheap universal coolant - as already stated.

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Kamran]

Apologies I thought you said personally WOULD buy. 

Seeing as my coolant tank has a G12 sign on it, will it make it difference adding G13 coolant as its been recommended when I insert my registration and by the employees at a local eurocarparts. 

[Magnet]

Really sorry Kamran - my fault, I’ve been an unfortunate victim of the predictive texts - by missing out the...’nt from the would! I do apologise. 

Is your current coolant pink/red? I would think it should be.

For me, I try to use smaller motor factors rather than ECP if buying locally. Appreciating you have now spent money on this Prestone stuff, but if you haven’t already used it, then I would be tempted to return it, and buy the genuine pink/red OAT coolant instead (assuming that is what is in the system now). You will gather that I’m not a friend of so called ‘universal’ products, particularly where various coolants are often not mixable. 

Kind regards,

Gareth.