Hello I have two problems, and dont know if they are related.

For some time now in the morning, more on cool days than hot, I have big billowing white clouds come from exhaust when I first start up. It will do this for the first few minutes then stop.

Once running there does not appear to be any smoke from exhaust.

Just last week, after it suddenly got very cool (45 degrees) I had problems starting in the morning, and each day since (weather is still in the 40 - 50 range)

I need to turn the ignition over 4 - 6 times before it will start.

First time turning over for 4 seconds NOTHING at all. STOP
Second time turning over 4 seconds a little catch then nothing STOP
Third time very brief ignition then it immediately stops
4th time same
5th time same
6th time it catches rough for 2 or 3 seconds then suddenly burst of rev and it is normal

After running 5 or 10 minutes, I can turn it off and restart within an hour no problems.

If I let it for 5 or 6 hours then the starting problems come back, with EXACTLY the same process 4 - 6 times turning ignition over.

I dont know if it is a coincidence since turning cool, but it has never done this before.

Also, dont know if this is related too...but a few times on the highway at 60mph I felt a "rumbling" for 5 or 10 seconds as if I were going over a "washboard".

Any advice I would appreciate it.

A6 2.7 Turbo
109,000 miles. Burns a quart of oil evey few months or every 3,000 miles.

Thanks

 

I had the same problems with the clouds of smoke on my A6 2.7T. I replaced my spark plugs and that fixed many of my cars problems. I can't help on the oil problem though

 

Any MIL codes? How recently have you changed air and gas filters? If it is an MT6, there is a clutch sensor that can wear out and cause it not to start properly. I had this problem with my daughter's 2003 A4 3.0 MT6.

 

I ordered a diagnostic reader, and it should be here tomorrow. As soon as I get it, I'm going to plug it in and see what it says.

I neglected to mention that a "Check Engine Light" stays on ever since this started happening.

My gut feeling thinks it is a sensor makes no sense that it works fine until I leave it for hours.

Also, a bit odd....I was just out. I parked at the bank went in and came back out 10 minutes later.

I got in and started to reverse and a second or two while backing up, suddenly a big power surge....so much it actually frightened me a bit where I instinctively placed my foot on the brake. It was gone as sudden as it happened.

It was fine all the way home.

Perhaps it has become haunted!

 

I got my reader yesterday and plugged it in and here is the code

Fault 01 Pend 00
P0117 01/01

engine coolant temperature sensor circuit low

So I guess that this might be the issue, so I am going to replace the sensor which is only 24$.

If that is all it is, then that would be great!

Any comments?