3.0TDI white smoke on idle only.. possible EGR issue? advice please

PelicanBlue

PelicanBlue

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Hi all

I recently removed my CATs from my B7 Avant (ASB engine code) as I suspected they were blocked and causing my poor fuel economy. The intake manifold and EGR were both cleaned at the same time

After having removed them I have excessive white smoke on idle and ONLY when the engine has warmed up.
Upon investigating, I have checked that the injectors are within spec by means of the VCDS measuring blocks 71-77 and 13-14

The smoke smells strongly of diesel- in fact almost like kerosine.
When she idles from cold there is no smell.

I have observed a distinct change in exhaust note when the engine warms up - and by this I do not mean the revs dropping after warmup- but a drone as if the EGR valve is opening/ closing.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

PS this model was prior to DPF
 
PelicanBlue said:
Hi all

I recently removed my CATs from my B7 Avant (ASB engine code) as I suspected they were blocked and causing my poor fuel economy. The intake manifold and EGR were both cleaned at the same time

After having removed them I have excessive white smoke on idle and ONLY when the engine has warmed up.
Upon investigating, I have checked that the injectors are within spec by means of the VCDS measuring blocks 71-77 and 13-14

The smoke smells strongly of diesel- in fact almost like kerosine.
When she idles from cold there is no smell.

I have observed a distinct change in exhaust note when the engine warms up - and by this I do not mean the revs dropping after warmup- but a drone as if the EGR valve is opening/ closing.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

PS this model was prior to DPF
Click to expand...

White smoke is generally from coolant as far as I'm aware. The EGR gas has a cooler in circuit but is bypassed when the engine is cold. Does it always give white smoke on idle? It might be worth checking a measuring block for EGR valve position if possible?

HTH, Azeem.
 
... no cat and having a more profound smell with a different exhaust note :huh: well that solves that one, smoke's probably cat related too.
 
Out of interest what economy were you getting before you did this that made you think you had a problem?
 
A4_MaJiK said:
Does it always give white smoke on idle? It might be worth checking a measuring block for EGR valve position if possible?

HTH, Azeem.
Click to expand...

White smoke only on idle and after reaching normal temperature.

Precisely what I was thinking- I have searched for EGR measuring blocks but have come up with nothing
 
murray555 said:
What year is the car? was it a dpf you removed by any chance?
Click to expand...

Like I say, prior to DPF.
2006.
Had it been DPF I'm certain she would be in limp!
Performance is excellent so definitely not that.

The only error codes are for Glow Plugs- which I have read do not cause the smoke. The coldest it gets here is +12 degrees C:lmfao:
 
audi upgrades
I would suggest that the issue is with the injectors. There is a well known problem with the spring seats wearing and this results in weeping of diesel from the injector and white smoke. The cats would have been eliminating the smoke and thats why they ended up being blocked up.
There are many many threads regarding this on the net.The white smoke is diesel that has been vapourised but not burnt. The injectors continue to weep fuel after the power stroke into the cylinder and this is vapourised by the hot exhaust gas and passed out the exhaust.

Karl.
 
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desertstorm said:
I would suggest that the issue is with the injectors. There is a well known problem with the spring seats wearing and this results in weeping of diesel from the injector and white smoke. The cats would have been eliminating the smoke and thats why they ended up being blocked up.
There are many many threads regarding this on the net.The white smoke is diesel that has been vapourised but not burnt. The injectors continue to weep fuel after the power stroke into the cylinder and this is vapourised by the hot exhaust gas and passed out the exhaust.

Karl.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much indeed Karl. This is the most concise and helpful reply I have had yet- after posting on many forums :)

Is this repairable or am i in for new injectors?
 
Unfortunately it requires replacement of the injectors. As I said there are many threads on the net covering this issue.
 
I had this problem although with mine the oil level went considerably over the top level on the dipstick because un burned diesel was mixing with the engine oil.
The white smoke was an embarrassing amount but cleared after a few miles of constant moving.
I had all the injectors tested at a local Bosch approved diesel engineers & as a result all were replaced.
 
Geebo said:
I had this problem although with mine the oil level went considerably over the top level on the dipstick because un burned diesel was mixing with the engine oil.
The white smoke was an embarrassing amount but cleared after a few miles of constant moving.
I had all the injectors tested at a local Bosch approved diesel engineers & as a result all were replaced.
Click to expand...

What kind of figures we talking here...:sos:
 
A4_MaJiK said:
What kind of figures we talking here...:sos:
Click to expand...

First of all get the injectors tested by a Bosch approved diesel specialist to confirm this is the problem. I wouldn't use a Audi dealer as they will just send them to a specialist for test. The Audi dealers price was circa £3k. I paid £1950 at my local Bosch diesel engineers for six injectors fitted.
 
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I agree with Karl
The fact that the injectors are leaking after compression will put unburnt diesel vapour in the hot exhaust. The exhaust is not hot enough to completely burn the fuel hence the kerosene smell and the white smoke. This would also explain where the fuel economy has gone (up your pipe sadly). It won't be so bad cold because the exhaust is not hot enough yet to start burning the fuel. If left they will leak more and more until you can't drive due to polluting everyone behind you or the sump will eventually fill up and hydro-lock the engine.(Worst case scenario)

Karl as usual makes a lot of sense

Hope this helps and Hi Karl:icon_thumright:

Regards

Marty :blackrs4:
 
Last edited:
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martynash said:
I agree with Karl
The fact that the injectors are leaking after compression will put unburnt diesel vapour in the hot exhaust. The exhaust is not hot enough to completely burn the fuel hence the kerosene smell and the white smoke. This would also explain where the fuel economy has gone (up you pipe sadly). It won't be so bad cold because the exhaust is not hot enough yet to start burning the fuel. If left they will leak more and more until you can't drive due to polluting everyone behind you or the sump will eventually fill up and hydro-lock the engine.(Worst case scenario)

Karl as usual makes a lot of sense

Hope this helps and Hi Karl:icon_thumright:

Regards

Marty :blackrs4:
Click to expand...

Sorry didn't read all the post before posting thread. Geebo has described perfectly the worst case scenario.
Sorry again for mirroring what had already been said

Regards

Marty:blackrs4:
 
Thanks for the input both of you:thumbsup:

I have been shopping injectors and it would appear that BOSCH updates them regularly- the ones on the car are probably there from new- which I'm assuming are part numer 059 130 277 AB or BA (i will check tonight and confirm).
Now I see the later ones code has the suuffix AX or BD.
Would anone have access to the correct version of the updated injector? I am aware that they have to be coded with the ECU, but in terms of compatibility?

I have access to 4 injectors carrying the suffix CD - off a Q7.
If this code will work, I only need to buy 2 more of that part number and can carry out the replacement.
Please advise.
Thank you very much once again chaps
 
Thanks for the input both of you:thumbsup:

I have been shopping injectors and it would appear that BOSCH updates them regularly- the ones on the car are probably there from new- which I'm assuming are part numer 059 130 277 AB or BA (i will check tonight and confirm).
Now I see the later ones code has the suuffix AX or BD.
Would anone have access to the correct version of the updated injector? I am aware that they have to be coded with the ECU, but in terms of compatibility?

I have access to 4 injectors carrying the suffix CD - off a Q7.
If this code will work, I only need to buy 2 more of that part number and can carry out the replacement.
Please advise.
Thank you very much once again chaps
 
Hi,

For your car as a 2006 A4 3.0 TDi the last rev is BD.

059 130 277 S 1600 BAR
059 130 277 Q 1600 BAR DROPPED 01/06/2005
059 130 277 AA 1600 BAR DROPPED 01/06/2006
059 130 277 AB 1600 BAR DROPPED 01/09/2006
059 130 277 AH 1600 BAR DROPPED 01/04/2009
059 130 277 AJ
059 130 277 AK 1600 BAR
059 130 277 BA 1600 BAR
059 130 277 BB
059 130 277 BD 1600 BAR Current part since 09 (BMK BNG ASB)

An AX rev is an exchange unit part, the X denotes this.

CD is for the later 4 letter engine code V6 TDi's.

059 130 277 AM 2000 BAR 2007- CATA Bluemotion
059 130 277 CC 2000 BAR
059 130 277 CD 2000 BAR
059 130 277 CJ

Dunno if they'd work, I can't find post but somewhere read info that only correct injectors should be used as overfuelling/ecu incompatibility could occur.

Probably no use now but MVB 03 in module 1 is EGR operation, as engine same as A6 here is MVB list Link:- Audi Portal: ECU Diagnostic . Audi A6 4F (2005- ) . Engine Control Unit J623

Data window 4 in MVB 03 show request from ECU for activation and you use Air Mass Specified/Actual to see if working.
 
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PelicanBlue said:
Hi all

I recently removed my CATs from my B7 Avant (ASB engine code) as I suspected they were blocked and causing my poor fuel economy. The intake manifold and EGR were both cleaned at the same time

After having removed them I have excessive white smoke on idle and ONLY when the engine has warmed up.
Upon investigating, I have checked that the injectors are within spec by means of the VCDS measuring blocks 71-77 and 13-14

The smoke smells strongly of diesel- in fact almost like kerosine.
When she idles from cold there is no smell.

I have observed a distinct change in exhaust note when the engine warms up - and by this I do not mean the revs dropping after warmup- but a drone as if the EGR valve is opening/ closing.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

PS this model was prior to DPF
Click to expand...

I have an Audi A6 2.7 TDI 2005. I began to have voluminous white smoke on idle. Tests on Injectors showed one dripped. After many head-scratches I used the VAG to increase the idling speed from 750 to 800 rpm and - Voila - no more white smoke on idle and good mpg (regularly shows over 50mpg now). Billirl
 
Billirl said:
I have an Audi A6 2.7 TDI 2005. I began to have voluminous white smoke on idle. Tests on Injectors showed one dripped. After many head-scratches I used the VAG to increase the idling speed from 750 to 800 rpm and - Voila - no more white smoke on idle and good mpg (regularly shows over 50mpg now). Billirl
Click to expand...
It's just a temporary fix, they are worn when leaking back and you up-ing the idle speed is just masking the problem for a short while...
 
ok so I have the same issue, god damn it, I have had the car a month and already looks like ill be spending 2k on it.

I want to find the cheapest injectors I can to solve this, so Im gona need help understanding what part codes I need to go for, but also, will the injectors from a 2008+ 3.0 audi anything (any audi with the 3.0 engine) work or do the injectors need to be from the A6 C6 version of the 3.0 engine?

I love the car, but I regret not investigating this issue before hand.
 
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