Need help with first step
12-20-2021, 06:00 PM
#1
AudiWorld Newcomer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Need help with first step
So I am trying to figure out what is going on with my 2017 A4. It appears as though it has white smoke/water vapor when it is below 50 degrees outside. However, no matter how much driving, it doesn’t seem to go away. The exhaust has recently sounded like it has started to sputter a little bit. This is hard to tell though because the exhausts are pretty quiet. Any tips on what I should do from here?
12-20-2021, 10:44 PM
#3
Could be just as simple as bad fuel, contamined with water, or it could be a blown head gasket. First, check your coolant level. Burnt coolant usually makes white smoke. Also, bad adblue could result in white smoke.
12-21-2021, 08:02 AM
#5
AudiWorld Senior Member
First thing, monitor the coolant tank level to see if the coolant level is dropping with use of the car. If the coolant level is not dropping with use, you don't have a coolant issue. If it is dropping, then you have a problem of some kind. To determine if you have a head gasket failure, you can purchase kits that allow you to test for the presence of combustion gas in the coolant.
Leak Detector Kit / Engine Block Test Tools Inc. BK 7001006 | Buy Online - NAPA Auto Parts (napaonline.com)
A coolant system pressurization test and a compression test would also be in order to confirm the diagnosis.
How is your oil level? If your oil level is dropping then you could have an oil consumption issue. A compression test or leak down test may help diagnose the problem; but, they won't necessarily pick up an oil control ring problem.
Significant coolant loss or oil loss into the combustion chamber will result in definite exhaust smells. Go to the back of the car with the engine running and sniff the exhaust vapour. Coolant leaking into the combustion chamber will usually result in a sweet smell. Similarly oil burning should be quite obvious. As an observation, my 2021 has a hell of a lot of exhaust plumbing which probably takes forever to come up to temperature. Moisture that accumulates in the mufflers at the very back end of the car probably takes forever to evaporate. If the problem only occurs during low temperatures its probably just condensation evaporating. The 'clouds' associated with coolant or oil loss don't go away when its warm out.
Leak Detector Kit / Engine Block Test Tools Inc. BK 7001006 | Buy Online - NAPA Auto Parts (napaonline.com)
A coolant system pressurization test and a compression test would also be in order to confirm the diagnosis.
How is your oil level? If your oil level is dropping then you could have an oil consumption issue. A compression test or leak down test may help diagnose the problem; but, they won't necessarily pick up an oil control ring problem.
Significant coolant loss or oil loss into the combustion chamber will result in definite exhaust smells. Go to the back of the car with the engine running and sniff the exhaust vapour. Coolant leaking into the combustion chamber will usually result in a sweet smell. Similarly oil burning should be quite obvious. As an observation, my 2021 has a hell of a lot of exhaust plumbing which probably takes forever to come up to temperature. Moisture that accumulates in the mufflers at the very back end of the car probably takes forever to evaporate. If the problem only occurs during low temperatures its probably just condensation evaporating. The 'clouds' associated with coolant or oil loss don't go away when its warm out.
The following users liked this post:
lowjdml (12-24-2021)
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jcanni2009
New England Discussion
2
09-08-2008 08:37 AM