Oil line freeze-up
01-29-2008, 11:39 PM
#1
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 8
Oil line freeze-up
1st time poster and proud A6 owner (when it is running properly!).
Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has some information on a problem I have been experiencing this winter. Figure me on my lack of engine knowledge as some of the information may seem like I am a bit clueless.
On two occasions this winter (Alberta) the oil system of my car (2.7T) has been plugged up and sent oil through the intake(?) and it has settled in the turbo intake tube. It sends additional exhaust fumes and sputters when this happens. The last time it happened I checked the oil level and when I pulled out the dipstick it released a shot of air suggesting something is backing it up. On the last occasion I experienced the problem I turned off the engine and then started it again after a couple of minutes, the engine ran fine and there was no additional exhaust.
Has anyone experienced this problem and have any information to help guide my mechanic and myself to pinpoint the problem, and thus, avoid a bunch of additional sleuthing?
Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has some information on a problem I have been experiencing this winter. Figure me on my lack of engine knowledge as some of the information may seem like I am a bit clueless.
On two occasions this winter (Alberta) the oil system of my car (2.7T) has been plugged up and sent oil through the intake(?) and it has settled in the turbo intake tube. It sends additional exhaust fumes and sputters when this happens. The last time it happened I checked the oil level and when I pulled out the dipstick it released a shot of air suggesting something is backing it up. On the last occasion I experienced the problem I turned off the engine and then started it again after a couple of minutes, the engine ran fine and there was no additional exhaust.
Has anyone experienced this problem and have any information to help guide my mechanic and myself to pinpoint the problem, and thus, avoid a bunch of additional sleuthing?
01-30-2008, 08:25 AM
#2
Audi Forum - Posts like a Q7
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Central Canada
Posts: 711
Re: Oil line freeze-up
It is normal to have "a little" oil in the 2.7T intake system, usually settles in the low spots like lower Intercooler hoses, etc. A fine oil mist leaks thru PCV and back into intake while under boost.
If the engine block pressurized as you described, sounds like your PCV is freezing up. Typically caused by short trips in winter conditions, as in 25KMs or less. The engine gets warm enough to produce condensation but not hot enough to burn it off, then condensate freezes and temporarily plugs PCV. Confirmation if parking in a warm garage clears it up. Could always try a VAG scan to see if anything is reported. If high mileage, consider replacing PCV and plastic spyder hose assembly as it's possibly cracked with age.
If the engine block pressurized as you described, sounds like your PCV is freezing up. Typically caused by short trips in winter conditions, as in 25KMs or less. The engine gets warm enough to produce condensation but not hot enough to burn it off, then condensate freezes and temporarily plugs PCV. Confirmation if parking in a warm garage clears it up. Could always try a VAG scan to see if anything is reported. If high mileage, consider replacing PCV and plastic spyder hose assembly as it's possibly cracked with age.
01-31-2008, 10:50 AM
#4
Audi Forum - Posts like an A4
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 126
Re: Oil line freeze-up
High crankcase pressure is an indication for “breather hose” – pressure regulating valve (working as a pcv valve) plugged.
(Make sure you get the “cold climate” application).
Turbo intake hoses have always oil in (at least many mechanics state it). The amount of oil is of importance here.
I’m not sure if oil could enter the intake from other direction but turbos.
If your car mileage is 60k km and more you are most certainly due to oil leaks fixing.
German cars have very often leaks….
Audi manufactured 2.8 and 2.7 engines for 15 years and never fixed the leaky seals and gaskets.
As we speak my car (03 A6 2.7T) is in for leaks fix (cam adjusters and breather hose) (in Calgary).
You might have more than one problem. Monitor the car after the cold is over.
Hope no more -37C this winter…
(Make sure you get the “cold climate” application).
Turbo intake hoses have always oil in (at least many mechanics state it). The amount of oil is of importance here.
I’m not sure if oil could enter the intake from other direction but turbos.
If your car mileage is 60k km and more you are most certainly due to oil leaks fixing.
German cars have very often leaks….
Audi manufactured 2.8 and 2.7 engines for 15 years and never fixed the leaky seals and gaskets.
As we speak my car (03 A6 2.7T) is in for leaks fix (cam adjusters and breather hose) (in Calgary).
You might have more than one problem. Monitor the car after the cold is over.
Hope no more -37C this winter…
01-31-2008, 11:40 AM
#5
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 8
Re: Oil line freeze-up
The last time it happened the mechanic said ~2 litres of oil came from the intake hose.
The car has about 125k km and I have fixed a few oil leaks in the past, but I have never done anything with any valves, etc. so it could be time to look at these things as the culprit.
Also another mechanic suggested that I do a hot engine oil flush. Obviously I need to fix the problem, but would somehting like this potentially remove any additional moisture/condensation in the oil system to prevent these sorts of things from happening?
The car has about 125k km and I have fixed a few oil leaks in the past, but I have never done anything with any valves, etc. so it could be time to look at these things as the culprit.
Also another mechanic suggested that I do a hot engine oil flush. Obviously I need to fix the problem, but would somehting like this potentially remove any additional moisture/condensation in the oil system to prevent these sorts of things from happening?
01-31-2008, 01:05 PM
#6
Audi Forum - Posts like an A4
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 126
Re: Oil line freeze-up
2 liters of oil could be an indication for turbo replacement time.
Do you have excessive exhaust smoke?
If there is no smoke there should be oil entering the intake from the engine side.
(not clear for me).
The breather hose-valve gets plugged and must be replaced (cleaned) as regular pcv valve.
(with the “only” difference it costs more than $200 and takes alabor….)
Do you have excessive exhaust smoke?
If there is no smoke there should be oil entering the intake from the engine side.
(not clear for me).
The breather hose-valve gets plugged and must be replaced (cleaned) as regular pcv valve.
(with the “only” difference it costs more than $200 and takes alabor….)
01-31-2008, 03:30 PM
#7
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 8
Re: Oil line freeze-up
2 liters of oil could be an indication for turbo replacement time.
Do you have excessive exhaust smoke?
If there is no smoke there should be oil entering the intake from the engine side.
(not clear for me).
The breather hose-valve gets plugged and must be replaced (cleaned) as regular pcv valve.
(with the “only” difference it costs more than $200 and takes alabor….)
Do you have excessive exhaust smoke?
If there is no smoke there should be oil entering the intake from the engine side.
(not clear for me).
The breather hose-valve gets plugged and must be replaced (cleaned) as regular pcv valve.
(with the “only” difference it costs more than $200 and takes alabor….)
02-03-2008, 01:02 PM
#8
Audi Forum - Posts like an A6
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 947
Re: Oil line freeze-up
my buddy has a corrado once that started sucking engine oil, because he never changed his air filter and lived on a dirt road.
My guess its one of three: Dirty air filter, PCV or a seal that is gone somewhere...
My guess its one of three: Dirty air filter, PCV or a seal that is gone somewhere...
02-05-2008, 08:55 AM
#10
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 8
Re: Oil line freeze-up
Well it looks like it was moisture build up in the intake, the mechanic removed a lot of water. The car is only going on short trips this winter and the car is never fully warming up and it continues to build up moisture.
Just thought I would let everyone know just in case....
Just thought I would let everyone know just in case....
