# Audi A3 burning oil **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** audi, a3\ **Created:** [April 9, 2018, 9:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/audi-a3-burning-oil/115318 "2018-04-09T09:35:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dpw28](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@dpw28](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dpw28)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 9:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/audi-a3-burning-oil/115318/1 "2018-04-09T09:35:51Z")
Good Morning. I have just booked my 2006 1.6 audi into a reputable local garage to be taken a look a this week. The issue I’m having and symptoms are as follows: Burning oil, almost 3 litres in about 500miles, no leaks White smoke that turns black if high rev when idle. Hard to tell if it is blue but looks white to me Smoking after going down/uphill/Accelerating Yellow Gunge when topping up oil (not on dipstick) i do two 8 mile journeys most days Spark plug 4 failed a few times last year but has behaved since june/july MPG slightly down Not loosing coolant or having to top up and no signs of oil in this Ive looked around and seen that it could be the seals are worn. Could anyone suggest anything further this could be or perhaps advise the cost of repair? The car has done 92k and i really believe there is plenty more life in it but I don’t want to spend £1000s on repairing this. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 10:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/audi-a3-burning-oil/115318/2 "2018-04-09T10:41:51Z")
If you are seeing visible smoke at idle, and on deceleration, and using 3L every 500 miles, get rid of it while it still runs and is worth something. Not much very likely but something. ---
**Author:** ![dpw28](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@dpw28](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dpw28)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 10:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/audi-a3-burning-oil/115318/3 "2018-04-09T10:53:42Z")
what do you think it is mate? its not always at idle, mainly just in the mornings when it starts ---
**Author:** ![steveng](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@steveng](https://community.cartalk.com/u/steveng)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 11:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/audi-a3-burning-oil/115318/4 "2018-04-09T11:13:56Z")
I’ve had a lot of VW’s and have the same problem and it was the valve seals. I had a friend who replaced them for me. Expensive at the sealer. ---
**Author:** ![dpw28](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@dpw28](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dpw28)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 12:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/audi-a3-burning-oil/115318/5 "2018-04-09T12:01:42Z")
cheers pal, any idea of cost? we talking more than £500 including labour? ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 12:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/audi-a3-burning-oil/115318/6 "2018-04-09T12:51:29Z")
> [@dpw28](#): > > what do you think it is mate? > > its not always at idle, mainly just in the mornings when it starts If it was just mornings on first start I would say valve seals but, if its using 3L/500 miles I’d have to say the problem is more than just seals. I am leaning towards rings. But if just valve seals do the trick I am willing to be wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 1:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/audi-a3-burning-oil/115318/7 "2018-04-09T13:19:17Z")
If it happens in the mornings when it starts, there is a good chance what you’re seeing is water vapor rather than white smoke. I have no idea what a repair will cost, especially on the eastern side of the pond, but burning three litres of oil every 500 miles is a lot, so it is likely a mixture of both smoke and water vapor if, indeed, the car isn’t leaking any oil. I’m afraid the information provided is as much as can be provided without looking at and diagnosing your vehicle. You should take it to a repair shop for a diagnosis and an estimate. ---
**Author:** ![SteveCBT](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevecbt/32/3192_2.png) [@SteveCBT](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveCBT)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 2:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/audi-a3-burning-oil/115318/8 "2018-04-09T14:53:50Z")
If the yellow gung is on the oil filer cap that indicates that coolant is getting into your oil, most likely through a head gasket breach. @PvtPublic makes a good point about getting rid of the car before you sink too much money into it. If you really love the car and there is no underbody rust you may want to spend $$$ to fix it, but if it were mine I would sell it as is and let the buyer know the issues. A young kid who has time and mechanical skill may love the car.