Re: Oil consumption - 5k TQ

["Sherry & Chuck Clark" <clark@rmi.net>]

> From:          Dave Head <dhead@sundial.net>
> My tq was rebuilt about 45K ago (previous owner had the timing belt replace
> and blew the valves out - so did the rebuild on top of the head work). Uses
> around a quart every 1200 miles. When the boost was on and running slightly
> lean, along with spark knock I'd get a 'serious' whoosh of smoke out the
> back. Might be the turbo oil seal, although this is the second turbo (used
> also - less miles). I'm leaning toward believing its valve seals - Didn't
> Scott J. post there was an improved seal under a different PN?

   Hey Dave and all,

           My story: Car is '87 5k TQ also-15psi. At 100,000 mi I started 
losing about  1 qt every 1000 mi. Way too much IMO. Noticed under 
deceleration a cloud of blue smoke following me close behind. To confirm 
this I had my girlfriend drive the car so that I could watch closely 
the symptoms. No smoke on acceleration or between shifts so I ruled 
out the rings and the turbo. But coasting down hills with car in gear 
yielded heavy blue smoke from the exhaust. After consulting many Audi 
sources I find that the valve guides on some models of this year were 
replaced at as little as 25k mi. Needless to say, $500 later I had 
new bronze valve guides done by my  mechanic and I use NO oil between 
oil changes now.  BTW, we checked piston wear when the head was off 
and it was so minimal as in nonexistant. I was very happy to see 
this. I guess the bottom end of these things are as they say, 
"bulletproof".
      Anyway, I would suggest the above mentioned method to determine 
significant oil loss or better yet, do a leakdown test also. Hope 
this helps someone. Later,
 Chad Clark