Hello,

I have been trying to gather info about my car, and why it might be having this issue. It is a '97 a4 quattro (2.8L 12v), and here are the details upon startup:

• When I turn the ignition, the starter motor spins with full force.
• As it cranks, the engine will cough or sputter once or twice. But I really have to keep it cranking (15+ secs) before I hear it firing. I know that is bad for the starter motor to keep it going like that.
• Once it starts up, a big cloud of white/smelly smoke puffs out the exhaust, and the idle is horrendous for about 1-3 mins. Even attempting to give it gas will cause the engine to cut out.
• Engine light is on, scanning it soon.
• First 5 mins or so: Car will drive but feels sluggish, and shifting feels out of time until the car warms up. Sometimes it will stall in the road, and sitting at a red light I can see the idle fluctuate between 800rpm to almost 2 grand.
• The engine oil level drops very slowly, and slow white smoke comes out of the filler when I open the cap after the engine has been running. There is also wetness on the top of engine behind the right cams. Coolant level stays the same.
• After initial startup, when the car has been running nearly 15 mins, it drives fine and can be started right away if the engine is shut off. Sometimes the idle is a little rough but nothing serious. All the gauges read normal (oil temp, engine temp, fluid levels, battery voltage, etc.). Engine light stays on.

I cleaned the MAF sensor, replaced spark plugs, and checked the vacuum lines. The fuel pump seems to work okay. This problem has happened before, and I had the plugs changed and it went away for a few months. Now it is back and haunting me every day as I struggle to get to work on time. Any help is appreciated, I can't afford to keep having a mechanic diagnose and replace things. Thank you!

 

Update: Since no one answered, for anyone with similar problems, it turns out the issue was that I needed the engine coolant temp sensor replaced.