I have a 2001 Audi A6 2.8L and so far it has 156,000 miles on it. It runs fine and good, but I just replaced a valve oil cover leak because of the smell of burning oil. Now a few weeks later I smell a light burning smell but I have no idea what it is. So after driving it back home, I lift up the hood and of course the engine is hot, and when i look very hard, I see light smoke steaming up, not directly under but, by the coolant container. i dont know where the smoke is coming from because i cant see all the way down between the cracks. The check engine light isnt on or anything, so I dont know what is going on. Are cars supposed to let out smoke from the engines? I have another car that is a 2005 Dodge stratus and after driving that, I lift up the hood and I guess that one smokes a little too, but I dont smell at all compared to the Audi, what could be possible be wrong with my Audi this time? Thanks for all your help.

 

If there is a difference in smell than it could be a coolant leak rather than an oil leak. What color is the smoke? white= coolant(vw/audi coolant is red?) black/blue= oil

 

Oil smell and maybe smoke coming out from under hood, quite common issue with Audis. Search the forum, lots on this subject.. it's probably the cam tensioner seals, one is at back of the engine near firewall.

 

I've noticed the same symptoms with mine. Just a little smoke and yea it kinda smells. I think Wolfs mentioned mine. Its more in the back near the firewall.

 

Yeah thats where I got mine too... i got some white smoke that comes out from the back of the engine bay on the passenger side. It smells like crap and I hate it, but I am certin that its coolent. Is it a cheap fix, I don't want my Audi to reak when people check it out

 

valve cover gaskets and cam tensioner seals are a cheap fix if you can do it yourself. About $800 at the shop. I got my parts from Blauparts. you can pick up the cam tensioner tool at techtonics tuning. tool 3366 i believe. Make sure your breather hoses aren't clogged which will cause them to leak again. There is an excellent writeup on Audi World withpics and all.

 

thanks a lot