Warmed up car this morning cause very cold last night and about 8" of snow yesterday, noticed lots of vapor from exhaust although it didn't phase me - it was really cold. Anyway took off to go to work and noticed trail of white smoke, I turned around and went back home, it was just around the block. Before I turned it off I noticed the color started to get darker - immediately turned car off.

Looked online for some answers on saw some talk about the PVC valve getting stuck open, I tried to locate it following lines from the valve cover but couldn't find it, I found and cleaned up lots of water/oil in the lines but couldn't find the PVC valve, and the Bentley manual for this car is useless unless I'm changing a bulb.

Does anyone know where the PVC valve is? and is there any other valve I should change while I do this.

 

It is called "Spyder pipe"; climate specific => when a car is moved between climate zones =>disasters appear.

PM me your email address and I'll send you a photo.

 

Is the PCV Valve somewhere in the spider pipe?

 

nemohm is actually telling you that's the same thing.

There's at least one topic dealing with the replacement and a DIY link.

 

Same thing happened to me yesterday. What do I do? The car continues to smoke from the tail pipes. Oil is burning like mad. I have it at the shop now... but they guy hasn't looked at it yet. Very frightened that I might have blown the turbo. yikes !! anyone have advice??

 

It is not as unique as a brain surgery => just a blown turbo(s) - well known event.

First make sure - is the turbo blown.

And, please open your own thread!!!

 

Thanks.
Sorry ... just new at this... thought it might fall under the same thread because it sounded like the same issue.

 

kcosh -- My 97 2.8 Avant produces a lot of white smoke before it is warm on days when the temp is 10 F and below. It gets worse as the outside temp drops. At first I was concerned but could not find anything wrong and concluded that it was condensation of the combustion products. A few weeks ago I was following a new Audi ( dealer's plates) and the guy booted it as we entered a ramp and he put out so much white smoke I could hardly see. At the next stop light he opened his window and apologized. He looked like he was an Audi salesman, so I asked what caused it and his reply was that he wasn't sure but it was normal. Since then I've neen watching other vehicles on the raod and may of them spew white smoke on cold days so I'm back to the condensation of combustion products again.

 

Upon investigation I found that the valve on the side of the "Y" pipe was filled with milky oil/water mixture, probably more water than oil and probably froze the valve open therefore letting crankcase vapor; and whatever else is down the line of the spider hose directly into combustion chamber. I cleaned this crap out with some q-tips rags and PB Blaster and carb cleaner - put everthing back together and started the car. It smoke for a little bit and took it out for an open trottle run - no more smoke. Don't know if this is Audi certified but it worked.

Gonna replace that spider hose assembly with the coolant pump and hoses once the weather gets warmer.

 

Good work!

If the valve was stuck ipen you should not experience any oil leaks due to overpressure buildup.