Smoke in traffic during DPF regen

[TeddyRuxpin]

Hi,

I get/got some smoke from under my car during DPF region, while in city traffic. I noticed the revs were higher and so I took it for a drive on an A-road instead of parking (girlfriend thought I was insane) and it settled again after a few mins. No more smoke.

It was a bit excessive today, I think.

I'm guessing this isn't normal - I don't see other cars doing this - but in the past (2 years ago) the car has had oil cooler leaks, I'm wondering if it's burning off oil that's under the car, or it's something more sinister?

Cheers!

Ed

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

FWIW it could be coming from the exhaust, it’s hard to tell as I’m in traffic and it depends on how he wind is blowing...

 

[silver1011]

If the car is smoking / burning oil during a DPF regeneration, then there is oil in the DPF and/or exhaust.

Leaky turbo seals are the most likely cause. Not the end of the world, but oil in the DPF can shorten its life.

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

Hi, thanks for the reply!

I’ve changed the PCV (new style pipe and seal, OEM part) and the orange main turbo seal (as well as oval air intake seals) recently so it should be okay, did you perhaps mean another turbo seal that I’m not aware of?

Any thoughts on trouble shooting?

I think there may have been a leak turbo seal before I replaced it and the PCV, I’m wondering/hoping if perhaps it’s residual oil, or even from the old oil cooler

I think this might be the first dpf regen since the PCV has been changed.

I know it’s hard to say without seeing it, but I am obviously trying to avoid ripping the car apart and spending anymore cash on something which may well be ‘fine’...

Thank you!

 

[silver1011]

If the turbo has been leaking previously, despite being repaired then chances are there is a quantity of engine oil pooling in the exhaust or DPF somewhere.

Only during a DPF regen, when the exhaust gets significantly hotter, will some of that excess oil be burned off, hence the smoke out of the tailpipes.

It should reduce and stop overtime, unless oil is still finding its way past the turbo seals.

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

Thanks, that’s what I am thinking. There was definitely an oil leak from the PCV (and vapour leak too), and when I replaced the turbo seal a couple of weeks earlier, the Y intake just slipped off like it was nothing! So I’m guessing it was not secured and there was a leak.

I guess I’ll just have to wait it out, keep an eye on things, and hope there’s not too much oil in there!

Thanks again!

 

[Braduk]

would you not expect to see smoke? maybe burning some crud off it gets to a silly temp

 

[silver1011]

A properly functioning DPF should never smoke.

 

[Braduk]

I picked mine up with a regen problem, had its sensor changed and done maybe 400 miles (a good 120 on the mway)

I noticed a odd smell and loss of power at one point, do you think that was regen? do you need to worry about them my A4 was a nightmare no more Audi's for me.

 

[silver1011]

During a DPF regeneration the DPF itself and the exhaust get extremely hot, this can result in some unusual smells, especially if the car is new.

In order to generate the heat required to burn off the stored soot inside the DPF the car essentially over-fuels and increase the engine RPM at idle, this can cause a temporary change in the driving characteristics.

You shouldn't really notice a loss of power though.

 

[clk320x]

Thanks, that’s what I am thinking. There was definitely an oil leak from the PCV (and vapour leak too), and when I replaced the turbo seal a couple of weeks earlier, the Y intake just slipped off like it was nothing! So I’m guessing it was not secured and there was a leak.

I guess I’ll just have to wait it out, keep an eye on things, and hope there’s not too much oil in there!

Thanks again!

Yeah keep an eye on it and see Ed, hopefully it is nothing

You’re having better luck than me lol! Now £700 down and no better off with this oil leak...!

 

[Adam88]

You’ve kinda answered your own question, if it’s only during a dpf regen I wouldn’t worry about it.

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

Hi guys

Car is still smoking during dpf regen, and it’s not just coming from the exhaust, it’s from under the car, towards the front.

I’ve been logging the dpf regen date and mileage since this post (those I was able to notice - some long motorway miles between the big gap):

Saturday 14 April - 130100
Tuesday 23 April - 130410
Wednesday 8 May - 130628
Saturday 24 may - 131278

I’ve also noticed some fluid leaking as today was the first time I had a chance to get out and have a look at what was happening. It was not black diesel oil it was a clear fluid, not very hot or warm, but it felt a bit slick so not water. The air con was not on.

Here is a video showing the problem

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Can anyone help?