Burning antifreeze!

[Diana Johnson]

Wow!  We our Audi has a twin sister!  We bought our '93 Audi 90 quattro
with 100,000 mi. on it and within a couple of days noticed some white
smoke and a bad odor after driving it.  It was definitely leaking some
oil, so we took it to the dealership where they quoted us almost $2000
to replace the head and valve cover gaskets.  We decided to try
replacing the valve cover gasket ourselves, which seemed to slow the
accumulation of leaking oil, but the head gasket is still leaking since
there's a bit of oil still dripping, the smell has returned and the
antifreeze is looking sort of orange.  In addition, the muffler sounds
like crap and needs to be replaced.  The previous owner replaced the
catalyst at 84K miles and I know he had a coolant leak which got into
the interior.  I also found out after buying the car that the valves
were machined at about 75K miles after the serpentine belt snapped and I
assume they replaced the gaskets then.  They have probably been leaking
ever since.  We've been debating whether to try to replace the head
gasket ourselves, but we've also heard of others who have replaced it
and still had it leak.  It sounds like we have to do something or we're
going to be in for more exhaust system repairs like you have had.  The
amazing thing is that it runs perfectly cool on 90+ degree days in 90%
humidity.  I wish I knew what to do about it myself, but all I can say
is that I feel your pain!

Diana Johnson
johnson55119 at qwest.net

I recently had to replace the entire exaust system on my 1993 Quattro 90
and found that my car was emitting white smoke just before and after the
repair took place.  My Audi Mechanic told me that it was possible that
the smoke came from burning Antifreeze which also ruins catalytic
converters and mufflers.  This could have been the reason why the entire
exaust system went bad at just 85K.  Burning antifreeze in my experience
points to a bad head gasket or a cracked cylinder head.  I know that if
it is a head problem then things get expensive real fast.  As it is, the
new exaust system was a bargain of an aftermarket job done with Porsche
turbo parts at about $700 labor free.  Any advice, or anyone else with
the same experience from a 93 Quattro 90.  As a side note Audi also has
a recall on all model 90 mufflers from 1991 to 1993.  Just my luck this
didn't include Quattro's.
Brandon Handy
Physician Recruiter
1-800-548-9092 X# 30