Early Signs Of Turbo Failure - Usual Symptoms?

['WG']

Previously suspected injectors, but that doesn't really fit my scenario.

Intermittent blue/grey smoke once warmed up (never cold), often clears after a bootful of welly.

Could this be early turbo seal wear, presumably on the exhaust side? Would this show up on VCDS?

Or, a fueling problem perhaps?

WG.

Symptoms/observations:
starts easily with no smoke
cranking time normal (3 secs)
operates normally (no rough running, drop in performance etc), except smoke
coolant clear and constant
oil level constant (field test shows no diesel in fuel)
smoke has slight smell of oil (not diesel)
occassional light/moderate smoke at idle (bootful nearly always clears it)
mpg normal
no fluid leaks
smoke varies (some days none, others light, rarely moderate)
no warning lights on dash

(Make model etc in profile)

[as400]

"Intermittent blue/grey smoke once warmed up"...are you seeing this smoke in your rear view mirror as you drive?...your saying there is enough smoke being produced that you can see it as you speed off?

What year and mileage is the car in question?

[niall campbell]

don't think you have any problems, sounds like unburnt diesel more than anything due to heavy right foot.

[MarkTM]

Not even going to offer advise if I have to multiple click through your profile for the year/engine size...sigh

Add it in your signature man! It's really easy (see below)

[crazy4alfa]

Leave the car on idle for 10mins, then rev it and if you get loads of smoke it is very likely that turbo is failing. It is impossible to check with VCDS, you need to take exhaust / intake to check for shaft movement and oil on the exhaust side (which you are unlikely to find).

['WG']

Finally found the right place to show the footnote.

I don't have a heavy right foot - it's only done to clear the smoke!

I'll try the 10min idle, thanks.

[rowdy-999]

Wouldn't failing turbo oil seals show up at WOT or under load, not at idle? Given the engine and year, i would assume it's the injectors.

[B5NUT]

A 2005-2006 3.0 TDI and it smokes when idle that = injectors. Over the past few years I've not seen a single thread about a faulty turbo on the 3.0 TDI block, it's usually the 2.0 ones that go, as you have to work the engine a lot harder to get the weight of the a6 moving.

[Phutters]

Not even going to offer advise if I have to multiple click through your profile for the year/engine size...sigh

Add it in your signature man! It's really easy (see below)

That's a trifle tetchy. Awkward time of the month, or is it that your mouse is really, really heavy?

.

[MarkTM]

And of course it's not lazy to rely on other peeps for help but also asking them to jump through hoops in order to offer it?