1992 80q Smokin' Possible Valve Stem Seals?

[David VanderSchaaf]

I'd vote for valve guide seals. Been there done that on my (former smoker) 20v. 

Dave Vander Schaaf
90 90q20v


On Apr 10, 2012, at 12:54 PM, Michael Veglia <msvphoto at pacbell.net> wrote:

> My daughter's 1992 80q (formerly mine) has always smoked a bit at idle since I got it a few years ago. Compression was great when I got the car, for what that's worth. I got the car with ~152k a few years back and it has around 173k miles now. I was down visiting her (in the San Diego area) this weekend and noticed it seems to be smoking worse and she says she needs to add oil a lot. It was due for an oil change so I suggested we up the weight (was 10/40, trying 20/50), start tracking consumption more closely, and add some (Lucas) seal conditioner stuff to top up next time it goes low and see what happens. 
> 
> My suspicion is valve stem seals. The car just passed CA smog in January easily, and last time I had it smogged it also passed easily. It runs great, but does have a check engine come on intermittently (but the codes are always 4-4-4-4, nothing stored)--I am guessing o2 sensor not liking the oil/smoke being the most likely suspect there. Anyway, in all my years of owning Audi I5s (11 and counting over almost a quarter century) have never had to deal with a smoker, but I gather valve stem seals are a pretty common cause of this. Given I have not yet been down this path I don't have things like valve spring compressor and valve stem seal pliers. From what I can tell the job is pretty straight forward, but if anyone who has some BTDT experience can advise it would be wonderful. Better yet, if anyone has the tools they would like to rent, loan, or sell cheap please let me know. 
> 
> I do have a couple referrals for shops in her area (she lives in Fallbrook near San Diego, CA) and we may opt to have it done down there, or she will drive the car up here (I'm 450 miles North in Santa Cruz) probably around end of May and I'll do it then (if things go bad I'll just let her borrow my 4kq for as long as she needs to).
> 
> Any tips and advice will be greatly appreciated.
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> Mike Veglia
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