The title would suggest that I have a head gasket problem. I'm burning oil (2001 A4, AWM 1.8), which I thought for a while was the turbo, and I'm also losing coolant (a lot-max to min in about 150 miles). But my mechanic has done a pressure test by rigging up a home-made pressurizer to the coolant tank, and while the engine is operating temperature, but turned off, he's let it sit for hours, then checked each cylinder for coolant (none) and pressure drop. When i drive I see blue smoke as I shift gears, and when I decelerate, but without back-pressure, more when I'm coasting, I see greyish smoke, not a big solid white puff, but more a transluscent grey. It's very different from the blue smoke which is obviously blue and hangs in the air. Anything else to look at besides this coolant pressure test?
TIA,
Ed

 

You right does sound like blown head gasket

 

Update, my mechanic thinks it's the turbo. No water in cylinders after pressure test. We thought I had a turbo on the way out as long as a year ago, but so many other things went wrong that I put it on the back burner. I hope it is the turbo rather than the head gasket, but I'd like to feel a little more sure before spending the dollars on one.
Ed

 

from what u have described, def sounds like your turbo is going.

i have my k03 out of my 01 that i still have since i put in a k04. PM me know if your interested, it has 0 shaft play and ill sell it for cheap.

 

I know that the turbo has a coolant line in and out, but I have not
seen one post on this or any other Audi forum that's ever pointed to a turbo
problem with a coolant leak. Is it that rare?
Ed

 

yeah most likely the turbo - same thing happened to my 98 A4. Blue smoke, loss of coolant, eventually dead turbo.