# Car smoking at 3k rpm what’s wrong? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** audi, smoke, a4, engines, turbo\ **Created:** [April 26, 2022, 12:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-smoking-at-3k-rpm-what-s-wrong/183816 "2022-04-26T00:09:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![breyerellison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@breyerellison](https://community.cartalk.com/u/breyerellison)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2022, 12:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-smoking-at-3k-rpm-what-s-wrong/183816/1 "2022-04-26T00:09:21Z")
I recently purchased a 2012 Audi A4 from a private seller and got a deal because of a mechanical issue. When the car hits 3k RPM it starts smoking on the interstate when slowed down and brought back to idle the smoking stops. when cruising there’s nothing wrong with the car there’s no ticking the transmission is smooth. I believe it to be the turbo but honestly don’t know much about cars thanks for your help! ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2022, 12:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-smoking-at-3k-rpm-what-s-wrong/183816/2 "2022-04-26T00:20:52Z")
The oil seal between the bearing and the turbine wheel maybe leaking. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/0/6/062f7862441a78082ec10be919aacce6d27fdc26.jpeg) This will cause smoking when accelerating. Or the oil drain back from the turbo to the oil pan may be restricted, so oil is forced past the seal Tester ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2022, 12:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-smoking-at-3k-rpm-what-s-wrong/183816/3 "2022-04-26T00:34:03Z")
Me thinks that this vehicle is not going to be such a good deal after all . ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2022, 12:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-smoking-at-3k-rpm-what-s-wrong/183816/4 "2022-04-26T00:45:47Z")
I agree with @Tester … sounds like a bad turbo seal. You didn’t say which engine… I assume the 4 cylinder turbo gasoline engine. It won’t be cheap to repair. Look for an Audi/VW specialty independent repair shop. The dealer’s prices will make your heart skip. ---
**Author:** ![eddo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/eddo/32/2594_2.png) [@eddo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/eddo)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2022, 3:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-smoking-at-3k-rpm-what-s-wrong/183816/5 "2022-04-26T15:37:57Z")
Where does the smoke come from? Exhaust pipe? under hood? I had an old Chevy pickup that would do what you describe, my issue was a valve cover gasket. Check for any kind of oil leak, and pray it isn’t the turbo seal. ---
**Author:** ![breyerellison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@breyerellison](https://community.cartalk.com/u/breyerellison)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2022, 6:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-smoking-at-3k-rpm-what-s-wrong/183816/6 "2022-04-26T18:41:37Z")
Is this something that I wouldn’t be able to do myself? ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2022, 6:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-smoking-at-3k-rpm-what-s-wrong/183816/7 "2022-04-26T18:45:50Z")
I don’t know what you can do yourself. I don’t know how experienced you are and if you have the tools to accomplish this especially since you made this statement… > [@breyerellison](#): > > but honestly don’t know much about cars thanks for your help! A turbo replacement is not a simple task for someone who doesn’t know much about cars. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2022, 7:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-smoking-at-3k-rpm-what-s-wrong/183816/8 "2022-04-26T19:27:50Z")
Yeah, given everything you’ve said, you don’t want to try this yourself. Google/Yelp for ‘German car repair shops’, see if they’ll give you an estimate for turbo replacement, if that’s what the problem is. Step one, of course, is having a good shop diagnose the problem. ---
**Author:** ![ledhed75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f6c823/32.png) [@ledhed75](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ledhed75)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2022, 8:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-smoking-at-3k-rpm-what-s-wrong/183816/9 "2022-04-26T20:21:45Z")
Somehow I suspect you’ve bought someone else’s unwanted problem. And at a “discount”! European cars are not cheap to repair. Best of luck, friend. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2022, 9:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-smoking-at-3k-rpm-what-s-wrong/183816/10 "2022-04-26T21:55:44Z")
You might remove the intake boot between the throttle body and turbocharger. If it is oily then you are going to need a turbocharger. If the intake tract is dry then you might consider… 1. PCV issue; or oil separator as it is called. 2. Worst case; piston rings. If the seller did not tell you what this mechanical issue exactly then odds are they know and have priced it already before deciding to unload the car. ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2022, 10:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-smoking-at-3k-rpm-what-s-wrong/183816/11 "2022-04-26T22:05:37Z")
If you “don’t know much about cars”, why would you buy a car with a mechanical issue you clearly don’t understand and think you got a “deal”? That deal could have easily wind up costing you over $1,000 to fix. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2022, 10:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-smoking-at-3k-rpm-what-s-wrong/183816/12 "2022-04-26T22:18:32Z")
> [@old\_mopar\_guy](#): > > That deal could have easily wind up costing you over $1,000 to fix. It is an Audi… could cost over $5000 to fix! 🤑 ---
**Author:** ![It\_s-Me](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/it_s-me/32/12660_2.png) [@It\_s-Me](https://community.cartalk.com/u/It_s-Me)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2022, 10:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-smoking-at-3k-rpm-what-s-wrong/183816/13 "2022-04-26T22:38:08Z")
> [@breyerellison](#): > > got a deal because of a mechanical issue. > [@breyerellison](#): > > honestly don’t know much about cars I see this way to often, people not knowing anything about cars, but they buy one that has problems hoping they can easily/cheaply fix. If it was an easy or cheap fix, it wouldn’t have been for sale. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2022, 11:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-smoking-at-3k-rpm-what-s-wrong/183816/14 "2022-04-26T23:16:54Z")
> [@old\_mopar\_guy](#): > > That deal could have easily wind up costing you over $1,000 to fix. Is $1000 a lot of money? A set of tires costs $1000. The turbocharger is $2200, that is a whole pay check for some of us. A new Audi is $50,000. I would rather buy a used car and repair it. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2022, 11:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-smoking-at-3k-rpm-what-s-wrong/183816/15 "2022-04-26T23:19:48Z")
> [@Nevada\_545](#): > > The turbocharger is $2200 Not if you install a turbo cartridge. [https://www.godpt.com/products/k03-f23l-hybrid-billet-for-audi-a4-20-tfsi-b7-8ed-8ec-fine-turbo-cartridge?variant=32145669652598¤cy=USD&utm\_medium=product\_sync&utm\_source=google&utm\_content=sag\_organic&utm\_campaign=sag\_organic&utm\_campaign=gs-2019-10-02&utm\_source=google&utm\_medium=smart\_campaign&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI\_8ydkeey9wIVxntvBB1BZQL8EAQYAiABEgIgFfD\_BwE](https://www.godpt.com/products/k03-f23l-hybrid-billet-for-audi-a4-20-tfsi-b7-8ed-8ec-fine-turbo-cartridge?variant=32145669652598¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2019-10-02&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_8ydkeey9wIVxntvBB1BZQL8EAQYAiABEgIgFfD_BwE) Tester ---
**Author:** ![whatswrongwithmyvehicle.com](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whatswrongwithmyvehicle.com/32/28939_2.png) [@whatswrongwithmyvehicle.com](https://community.cartalk.com/u/whatswrongwithmyvehicle.com)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2022, 1:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-smoking-at-3k-rpm-what-s-wrong/183816/16 "2022-04-27T13:04:19Z")
It would be a very difficult job considering you identify as a repair novice. It’s not completely out of the realm of possibility with proper guidance, but we’d recommend taking this to a trusted mechanic. Before trying, take it to a shop and have it properly diagnosed. No sense in trying to repair the wrong thing. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2022, 4:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-smoking-at-3k-rpm-what-s-wrong/183816/17 "2022-04-27T16:01:32Z")
![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/5/8/58c99db0b1417b2c73b5b305cde25e60ab0b4b77.jpeg) $664 ---
**Author:** ![nofyfb\_180405](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/22d042/32.png) [@nofyfb\_180405](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nofyfb_180405)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2022, 3:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-smoking-at-3k-rpm-what-s-wrong/183816/18 "2022-05-02T03:27:31Z")
A deal? Hate to give you bad news but unless the seller gave it away for free and is paying insurance, you are up to a rude awakening. And smoke is just the beginning. ---
**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2022, 1:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-smoking-at-3k-rpm-what-s-wrong/183816/19 "2022-05-02T13:07:22Z")
> [@nofyfb\_180405](#): > > A deal? Hate to give you bad news but unless the seller gave it away for free and is paying insurance, you are up to a rude awakening. And smoke is just the beginning. As the saying goes, there are few things more expensive than a cheap German luxury car. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2022, 11:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-smoking-at-3k-rpm-what-s-wrong/183816/20 "2022-05-02T23:16:58Z")
Is it clouds of white smoke coming out the tailpipe, worse when a accelerating? If so, ask your shop to check the head gasket function. [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-smoking-at-3k-rpm-what-s-wrong/183816.md?page=2)