Audi S4 B8 Smoking
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Discussion

BIGYIN1314

Original Poster:

72 posts

236 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
Bit of a random one herr.

I've noticed over the last few days when driving to work that I get smoke coming out of the exhaust when the car is fully warm. The other day i pulled up at a roundabout and the light from the car behind made the smoke apparent (similar to when a car is warming up). Then again this morning I drove to work, started to reverse into a space and gave it a slight rev, which resulted in puff of smoke. I reversed into the space and revved the engine, but nothing came of it. I once had a cupra r that had its valve stems go on me which produced lots of smoke and heavy oil consumption so I've been vigilant on every car since. Oil on DIS says its still at the max.

Is this a normal thing the car does (similiar to an old ford cougar I once owned) or is there perhaps something more to it?

s4tronic

245 posts

157 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
as far as I read its quite normal on S4 B8. Its not really smoking but more steam and I noticed my car does it more than others, particularly in Scotland where we have it colder than rest of UK. Most of mornings throughout the year I can see steam coming out of exhaust during my journey to work. Depends on the exhaust gas temperature perhaps?

Dr G

16,004 posts

273 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
Yeah they do seem to do that a bit.

Only thing worth double checking is coolant loss as early cars suffered with water pumps leaking.

BIGYIN1314

Original Poster:

72 posts

236 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
Cheers guys, I figured it'd be something like that. As I sadi my old Ford Cougar was renowned for 'steamy' exhausts and it never missed a beat.

I was planning on double checking the coolant this evening, however the pump was replaced under a recall and i've just had the thermostat replaced under warranty so I expect all to be well there.

BIGYIN1314

Original Poster:

72 posts

236 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
Just checked my coolant level an it's actually low. Still above the min by about 1cm or so. Do these cars req g12 or g13 coolant? Can anyone advise where to get some?

Adrian E

3,368 posts

207 months

Tuesday 11th November 2014
quotequote all
TPS if you've got one locally, otherwise main dealer to be sure of getting the correct spec smile If it's only a bit below level you could get away with a water top up

BIGYIN1314

Original Poster:

72 posts

236 months

Tuesday 23rd December 2014
quotequote all
So I've been keeping an eye on the coolant level over the last month. I topped it up so that when the engine was hot it was at the maximum mark. 1 month later and approx 600 miles an its dropped about 1cm from the max. Do these cars use a little coolant or is the dealership looking at another warranty claim?

lemonslap

1,029 posts

186 months

Tuesday 23rd December 2014
quotequote all
BIGYIN1314 said:
So I've been keeping an eye on the coolant level over the last month. I topped it up so that when the engine was hot it was at the maximum mark. 1 month later and approx 600 miles an its dropped about 1cm from the max. Do these cars use a little coolant or is the dealership looking at another warranty claim?
I don't think they should, however I have topped mine up by about 200ml over the last 6000 miles

Adrian E

3,368 posts

207 months

Wednesday 24th December 2014
quotequote all
They shouldn't use any really - it's a sealed system. Must be getting out somewhere!

BIGYIN1314

Original Poster:

72 posts

236 months

Friday 2nd January 2015
quotequote all
Booked in at the dealership for a 'leak test'. Hopefully they'll be able to get to the bottom of it and identify if there's an issue or not.

lemonslap

1,029 posts

186 months

Friday 2nd January 2015
quotequote all
yikes
BIGYIN1314 said:
Booked in at the dealership for a 'leak test'. Hopefully they'll be able to get to the bottom of it and identify if there's an issue or not.
Keep us updated, be good know of any weak spots apart from the intercooler and water pump. I did read on an American site of a 3.0tsfi using coolent due to a manufacturing issue with its cylinder head!