sumang24

All,
Today I when I started my 2000 Audit A6 2.7 T Quattro, it started giving excessive white smoke. The car was outside in subzero temperatures for 2 days. Intially I thought that this would go after the car runs for a few minutes but the smoke didn't end troughout the 30 minutes the car was running. The while stopping at stop signs the car was vibrating also.

Does it mean something is wrong with the car?

Thank You.

S.K.

absolutcq20v

Don't want to scare you, but worst case scenario sounds like a headgasket! Hope not. Good luck with it.

sumang24

What is a headgasket? Is is very expensive to replace it? How can I check the coolant level?

Thank You,
S.K.

Imolavirus@BuehnEngineering

and cracked the head...but its so hard to tell just from what he said

absolutcq20v

...I think you might want to bring it to a dealer/shop to get diagnosed. There are a bunch of things to look at and test to determine the problem.

In the meantime, if you're really anxious to diagnose it yourself, the coolant is the translucent resevoir to the right of the engine (if looking under hood), it probably has pink coolant in it.
Also, pull the dipstick and see what the oil on the end looks like. If it is milky or foggy looking, you might have a serious problem; it should be light or dark brown...like oil, not a milkshake. If you have milky oil, I wouldnt drive the car at all and get it to a reputable shop. Good luck.

sumang24

In the evening while going to home from office , I decided to let the car run to heat before I drive. I left it running for 15 mins. When I came back, I saw the check engine light on. The oil color looks brownish to me. The car is driving perfectly except the check engine light is on now. White smoke is also not coming now.

What could have gone wrong? Any ideas??

Thanks
SK

NoNonsense

it sounds like head gasket issues, but I've seen stranger things happen. When was the last time you added oil...it could have too much oil too.

paulroad

upper cylender (heads) from the main crankase of the engine. If this has blown due to freezing. Oil is mixing with the coolant. Which means coolant is inside the compbustion areas if your engine. The white smoke may have been oil burning or foulung many differnet components. GET TO A DEALER AT ONCE or if you have no warrnaty to a reputable performance shop. and don't drive the car.

As on the region forums for a good shop in your area.

RKA

If it's that cold, I'd bet on it.

When you say you let it run for 30 minutes...is that 30 minutes of driving, or 30 minutes of idling?