1.8T BEX 190 - sludge in vacuum system.

[Malko]

1.8T BEX 190

I'm having a problem with sludge in the vacuum system. Already cleaned pipes and replaced PRV & crankcase breather valve 2 weeks ago but sludge has come back - this time it seems to be thinner (more watered down) than last time and if I were honest it looks like what you would expect when coolant and oil mix (slightly off colour mayo) . . . . No signs of this in the coolant tank or on oil cap/dipstick though. I do however when idling for a minute and car is up to temp get a thick white smoke from the exhaust.

The air box is making a deep farting noise at the moment as well!? Not sure if this is just at idle or when driving as well.

Its almost as if the sludge is being sucked round the PCV system to TIP, though turbo and burnt by engine then obviously exiting through the exhaust hence smoke?!

Just had full service 4 weeks ago and oil is down to min already so burning more than usual. I can't see this being the head gasket at the moment but I could be wrong!

Has anyone got an idea where I should start?

 

[Malko]

Anyone?

Update though just incase someone is keeping an eye on this with the same problem:

After further researching it is possible i've found for such symptoms to be caused by a blocked breather.

Basically smoke can be caused by increase in crank case pressure because of blockage in breather system. Higher pressure in crankcase will pressurise oil and can force it past the piston rings/valve stems and then its burning. Water in the pipes could be caused by condensation that has no where to go due to a blockage hence my yellow sludge (oil & water mixed).

Gonna check my pipes!

 

[Andi25th]

Glad to read you seemed to have solved it yourself.

Checking the pcv system and replacing vac pipes is on my to do lists.

 

[Malko]

Thanks Andi,

Thing is though I replaced my pressure reg valve and crankcase breather valve 2 weeks ago along with cleaneing ALL the pipes from TIP through PRV to the crank breather valve, so i'm hoping they haven't gone bad again. Car runs smooth as silk though and idling is perfect so i'm really not sure but i'll try it again - at least i know what im doing this time

 

[Malko]

another update:-

So, cleaned the pipes again, nothing really obvious that could have been a blockage, took the car for a drive and still smoking!! not a long drive but a hard one to see if could blow some crud away but still smokes when left idling. Maybe it needs a longer drive? but I personally don't think the problem has been solved.

I am now really struggling as to what this problem is. Still no mixing of oil in coolant resevoir and no signs of coolant in oil. Levels seem to be remaining the same, maybe a slight drop in coolant?! but certainly not obvious.
The smoke smells chemically sweet if this is possible? and not oily.

DO I HAVE A SMALL CRACK IN MY HEAD?

 

[Malko]

disappointed to see NO ONE had an idea!?!?! REALLY? Think ill try the Zine . . . .

 

[_JMills]

Could it be the oil cooler, just a suggestion but could be worth a look Hope you get it sorted soon matey

 

[Cadger]

Thick white smoke on idle once warm I would usually say turbo oil seals but you should notice a drop in oil level. You say it's just been serviced did you use a thinner viscosity oil in it?? Therefore the thinner oil is able to seep past the oil seals??

 

[marktdisport]

turbo oil seal would be thick blue burning oil smoke white is water/condensation.....ive once had a very similar thing on a vauxhall 2ltr 16v and the head was cracked aswell but think it's best to get it pressure checked... are the heads common for cracking !!!! never worked on a bex

 

[Malko]

Thanks for the replies chaps!

I'm now beginning to see yellowy gunk on the oil cap, very thin but its there and this suggests coolant mixing with the oil.

So,

Mark - I was thinking crack in the head as well (but very uncommon on all 1.8t's from what I can gather) or head gasket. Getting it pressure tested 2mo so we'll find out I guess. Does seem to be going through coolant a bit but not massive amounts, haven't needed to top up . . . . yet.

Cadger - First service since I got it (had it 3 months) so not sure on the viscosity of previous oil but the oil I used this time was supplied by Audi so I expect it to be top notch. We'll be checking play in the turbo as well though rest assured!

Millsy - I was thinking oil cooler at the very start but from what I can gather/read I would be seeing oil in coolant reservoir n nothing at present. Thanks for the suggestion though, its still in the back of my mind.

I'l post results of the pressure test Tues evening (GMT).

 

[bowen]

Let us know how you get on.

I replaced my crankcase breather valve as it had gone bad, this is when i noticed sludge like you mention. After cleaning the pipes out and replacing the crankcase valve, it ran better then after a week or so it came back thinner.

Look forward to your findings.

 

[jazzza]

were is the breather valve located ??

 

[Andie0]

What mileage is the car at? Head gasket doesn't necessarily mean oil/coolant mix; depends on where it blows. But it definitely sounds blown. Compression test first. Coolant system leakdown test second while plugs are still out from compression test, then if coolant is indeed leaking out somewhere, turn over engine & look for the cylinder blowing water out.

 

[Andie0]

Get the test done soon though mate as i no a few people who have driven there cars with blown head gasket and cracked the block in doing so!!!expensiveeee

 

[RR-b6A4]

Did you ever fix the problem I have the same issues now

 

[Gazwould]

And Malko has left the building .

 

[cliff81]

Did you ever fix the problem I have the same issues now

I cleaned my PCV system... well I thought I did on further investigation but my mayo problem was the metal pipe from the 3way hose down the back of block to under inlet manifold was completely blocked it has a horrible 90degree bend and a small diameter pipe compared to the rest of the system, fiddley job to remove,my blocks AWT, took me a while to clean it out, quite a poor design really. Petrol worked well cleaning the system out.

 

[RR-b6A4]

I didn't want to start a new thread in the same subject , I may have to ..I'm going to check Pcv in the am thanks