Smokin' '88 90Q

[quk@isham-research.demon.co.uk (Phil Payne)]

In message <Pine.SUN.3.96.980302134734.2402C-100000@eskimo.com> Nathan Belo writes:

> I've got 170K miles and the car is smokin' bluish white smoke when I
> upshift around 3,000 r.p.m. and downshift leaving a cloud.  It is erratic.
> The car needs a tune up.  Tell me I don't need a ring or valve job and
> it's just a tune up.

VERY approximate rule of thumb:
 
1) White smoke - vaporised coolant, probably head gasket - usually the back
   if an I5.  Acrid smell.
 
2) Blue smoke on shifting - valve stem oil seals.  Find the right mechanic,
   and it's a surprisingly cheap job.  Burnt oil smell.  
 
3) Blue smoke on overrun without shifting - more serious wear, perhaps 
   rings.  Very rare in Audis - common in Beemers.  Tends to smell more
   of vaporised than burnt oil.

4) Great blast of blue smoke on startup.  Seriously shot turbo bearing -
   too worried to smell it.
 
5) Grey or black smoke.  Seriously rich mixture.  Just plain stinks.

Modifications welcome.  C'mon guys - mix in.

-- 
 Phil Payne
 UK Audi [ur-]quattro Owners Club