My car started billowing out masses of white smoke some weeks back. After reading threads on this forum and elsewhere, we decided it was probably the turbo.

My friend (handy with cars) came and spent a few hours looking it over to see if there was anything else obvious, but found nothing.

He's now fitted a new turbo (& pipes and gasket). At first all looked well, no smoke billowing out (although I'd read that smoke could be expected for quite a few miles of driving).

But then, after turning the car around, and revving the engine, billows of white smoke appeared and oil pouring (absolutely pouring, not dribbling) out of the exhaust pipe.

My friend is more used to petrol engines (mine is a diesel A3) ... but after having a think, thought it could be the valve stem oil seal.

Does anybody have any thoughts that might help please. (in language that a non-car-loving woman will understand! )

Thanks folks
Catherine

Was a "NEW" turbo installed or another used one? Was the intake cleaned when the turbo was done? Could be valve guides , could be residual crud in the intake or exhaust. Drive it for a while. See what happens.
Hoppy Easter BTW!

Thanks for your reply - happy easter to you to :-)

Yes, it was a new turbo from a decent dealer.

Dunno if the intake was cleaned....

I'm going to take any questions or suggestions from you lovely lot to my friend as he'll understand them, and know what he's done.

I don't want to drive the car now.. there's so much oil is coming out of the exhuast that there can be any left for the engine - I'm talking gushing out of the exhaust.

I checked with my pal that I couldn't drive it and he said no way, loosing that much oil isn't right.

Well, that shows how much I know!
Hubbie has just told me I have an A4 1.9 tdi, not an A3!

I don't suppose it makes much difference though.

I think both have the same engines.

Anyway , when the turbo was replaced , did the person who replaced it notice if there was any oily residue coming out of the exhaust ports of the cylinder head? If i am not mistaken , the exhaust manifold is part of the turbo assembly & it would have been easy to see if it was removed from the head.

There was definately oil around the turbo area (not sure if that relates to the question you ask ... I don't even know what a manifold is!!!)

I'm going to phone him tomorrow with all of the things you folks have said/asked .. it will all make much more sense to him.

Thanks folks, I really appreciate your time and help

White smoke suggests the head gasket, white smoke tends to be cause by the antifreeze in the coolant burning when it gets into the cylinders.

did you find your solution?

yes I did thanks. I had a new turbo fitted and all is well. (and the excess oil is almost finished blowing out of the exhaust!! )