Smoke from under catalytic converter [pic attached]

eggerb

I'm looking for some advice folks – any and all much appreciated.
Trying to weigh up my options on a 2005 Audi A4 1.8 Turbo petrol I've had for 8 years; 130,000 km on the clock. I have had it well serviced for the last eight years and never had much trouble. I replaced a few coil packs - that was about it.

At the start of this year, I decided to get the timing belt done … initial €€€ but that was grand cause I thought sure I’ll hold it for a few more years.
In September, I had very high RPM on idle and an issue with the boost pressure control valve so I had them sorted in October. I also mentioned a leak to the mechanic and he said he would replace the rocker cover gasket. He said it was also possible it was leaking rocker box seal/gaskets. More €€€ but these things happen and it is ten years old. I parted with my cash and moved on!

Yesterday, I smell something burning. I look under the bonnet and I see smoke coming from under the catalytic converter. From chatting on the phone, the mechanic reckons it could be the rocker box gasket and the repair could be about €350 + VAT. Or, it could be the cylinder head gasket in which case I am looking at €800.
I like the car and would rather not part with it. Should I be looking to get rid of it? I won’t be in the market for another one.
Any and all advice appreciated. I’ve only spoke to the mechanic on the phone so he hasn’t seen the leak. Based on the description and on the picture below, does it should like a rocker box gasket? What other problems could I expect to come my way with this particular engine? Is it safe-ish to drive until I get the leak sorted?

Alanstrainor

Can't see that pic at all. You'll have to edit again, or just upload it straight to imgur.com or similar...

Toyotafanboi

resize your image to 800x600, i think you have it set to avatar size

eggerb

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Can't see that pic at all. You'll have to edit again, or just upload it straight to imgur.com or similar...

Cheers. Sorted.

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

resize your image to 800x600, i think you have it set to avatar size

lol sorted

Alanstrainor

Take it to the mech and get it checked. Something rocker gasket was my first reaction reading the thread, as it just appears to be oil seeping from the engine onto the exhaust. I wouldn't be calling it the end of the car because of a bit of maintenance tbh. It would sell for less with problems like that too.

Just get it checked and weigh it up further when you have an idea of the cost. You've had it for quite a while, and cars wear, it's just hitting a point where lots of things that haven't been touched in a long time are getting old. It happens with all cars.

eggerb

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Take it to the mech and get it checked. Something rocker gasket was my first reaction reading the thread, as it just appears to be oil seeping from the engine onto the exhaust. I wouldn't be calling it the end of the car because of a bit of maintenance tbh. It would sell for less with problems like that too.

Just get it checked and weigh it up further when you have an idea of the cost. You've had it for quite a while, and cars wear, it's just hitting a point where lots of things that haven't been touched in a long time are getting old. It happens with all cars.

Cheers. Going to do that - today. I know burning oil and smoke is never a good idea but is it dangerous to drive?

v240gltse

hi

seen that on my sons A6 1.8T and all it was involved was the replacement of the rocker cover gasket seal. Not really a big job but can be labour wise.

here's a DIY if your interested

regards

eggerb

v240gltse wrote: »

hi

seen that on my sons A6 1.8T and all it was involved was the replacement of the rocker cover gasket seal. Not really a big job but can be labour wise.

here's a DIY if your interested

regards

Thanks for that. I think that's what the mechanic has already replaced. Looks like this ..



So, he is now talking about replacing the "rockerbox" now for about €350+VAT

Cerco

Just guessing that maybe the rocker box cover was not properly tensioned all round when the gasket was replaced. It might mean another new gasket or replacing the cover if it is distorted.

eggerb

Cerco wrote: »

Just guessing that maybe the rocker box cover was not properly tensioned all round when the gasket was replaced. It might mean another new gasket or replacing the cover if it is distorted.

Thanks. I have a different mechanic in mind so I'm sure he won't be slow to say so if that was the case.

eggerb

Road to the garage was flooded so it'll be tomorrow. Is there any chance that the catalytic converter / exhaust is leaking [smoke]? The stream of smoke was fairly consistent when I took a look when after driving just now. Or, the catalytic converter gone?

eggerb

Brought it to another garage and explained I had had the rocker gasket done in October. They were happy to take it in but thought I should bring it back to the garage that did the rocker gasket cover originally. They suggested that it might not have been correctly put back in place. They reckoned the quantity of oil leaking was more than a bad gasket. So, I dropped it back to the original garage and asked them to check the work they did. Giving them a call later today to see how they got on. Not in a position to fork out at this time of year or Santa won't be coming. Hopefully it's just something small that can be replaced/tightened. Thanks all for the advice.

eggerb

Original mechanic took it in for a few days. He said it wasn't the rocker gasket. I forget exactly what name he gave to the culprit part but it's described on the following US forum post here. He mentioned a figure of 150 just for the part + 1 to 1.5 days labour. At least it has been narrowed down (I think). Its probably been like that a while and just getting worse. If it'd been coped at the timing belt change, I probably wouldn't be looking at a big bill now. Need to sleep on it. The strong oil burning smells I'm getting in the cabin should help me sleep :-)