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Yay! Billowing blue smoke

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Old Jan 12, 2009 | 05:36 AM
  #1  
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Default Yay! Billowing blue smoke

So I get on the road this morning, it's about 12 degrees out and my A6 2.7t is puffing out blue smoke like a chimney.
Initially I suspect head gasket, but this is my first turbo vehicle. -Is it possible that a turbo failure would have a similar symptom?
It appears that the oil burn came on somewhat gradually (over a week or 2). I noticed a burning oil scent, but guessed it was a cam seal or something like that. Now obviously it's a bit more severe than I'd guessed...
Any thoughts on items to check or potential failure points would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
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Old Jan 12, 2009 | 05:43 AM
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Default Don't get too excited....

...cold weather makes the smoke look a lot worse than it is. Were you still billowing blue stuff after the car warmed up?
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Old Jan 12, 2009 | 05:54 AM
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Default I have a bad cam seal on my Pass. side. I started to smell a faint oil smell. My car sat for about a

week while I was doing the suspension. I test drove it and when I got back there was smoke pouring out from under my hood. I assumed the worse but it was only oil on the manifold.

When the cam seal goes bad the oil drips onto the manifold.

Is the smoke coming from your tail pipe or engine bay?

<a href="http://s64.photobucket.com/albums/h195/Fast_N_Snow/?action=view¤t=oil.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h195/Fast_N_Snow/oil.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

You can see where the oil collected on the manifold. As soon as that heats up it stinks and sometimes smokes.
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Old Jan 12, 2009 | 06:10 AM
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Default If it goes away once warm, its probably being cleans by the CAT; or could be valve guides

..which means you'll foul the cat. Not a good sign.

I would get at least moderately excited. Yes, blue smoke is one sign of turbo failure.

However, another likely cause is valve stem seals, whcih is considerably less serious.

G
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Old Jan 12, 2009 | 06:14 AM
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Default No, the smoke was blue and lots of it all the way to work; -with one caveat

My thermostat is stuck open, and has been for some time.
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Old Jan 12, 2009 | 06:20 AM
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Default

definitely tailpipe but thinking cam seal was why I didn't get immediately excited.
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Old Jan 12, 2009 | 06:26 AM
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Default Highly likely you have a frozen/blocked suc pump/valve. See link for more details -->

Follow this thread for description of symptoms and suggestion on how to deal with it until you can properly diagnose/fix it.<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a6/msgs/822079.phtml">Smokescreen 'b Bone - Klick here!</a></li></ul>
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Old Jan 12, 2009 | 07:15 AM
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Default

2nd. Happens to me as well - even with the updated vented cap. Maybe I need to move somewhere warmer
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Old Jan 12, 2009 | 06:24 PM
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thats what she said!
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Old Jan 13, 2009 | 08:03 AM
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Default Well it seems to definitely be related to the suction pump PCV system

Thank you very much!
Due to my 20vt project, I have no space in my garage to work on the A6. I was dreading needing to do a head gasket in the driveway!
You all made my day .
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