Smell coming from rear of engine...something to worry?

[Slow4]

Did a search and wasn't sure if I found the right posts.

I have a "rubber-like" burning smell emitting from the rear of my engine. Also noticed a continuous flow of clear white emissions rising from my exhaust this morning.

Is this something I should REALLY worry about? I've searched posts and some its my coolant leaking INTO my engine bay, but I check my coolant today and its still at max.

[exorcet]

check back of engine w/ a flashlight -- more than likely your valve covers or cam plugs are leaking a bit of oil.

white smoke on cold start / warmup is fairly normal with these cars.

[Slow4]

check back of engine w/ a flashlight -- more than likely your valve covers or cam plugs are leaking a bit of oil.

white smoke on cold start / warmup is fairly normal with these cars.

check. thank you sir.

[KompMan420]

Agreed. I just changed the driver's side cam plug due to basically the same problem. It helps to get a little extendable mirror and remove the coolant resevoir to see it. Valve cover gaskets are pretty common. Also, FYI, if it's the valve cover gasket, you might as well do the cam plugs too while you're in there. The plugs are only a couple of bucks and if they leak later you have to remove the valve covers to get to them. Good luck

[Sleeeper X]

Might want to also check the spider hose in the back.

[1997gtx]

Smoke / Smell from the rear of engine is usually a bad valve cover gasket(s) or cam tensioner seal(s).
--Adam

[Allaidback]

I have the same issue and can smell it in the car. I also see a little smoke coming from the drivers side of the engine when the engine first warms up. So, it's probably the valve cover gasket or cam tensioner seals? Anyone have a link to a diy? Thanks.

[KompMan420]

http://www.audiworld.com/tech/eng52.shtml

http://www.audiworld.com/tech/eng107.shtml

[BITRBO]

yeah, every time I get an oil change I get a burning oil smell inside the cabin (whenever I come to a stop, or sit idling for a few seconds). For some reason it goes away after a few hundred miles, so it must just be getting a little too full. I've traced it back to the spider hose, which has a small leak that mists oil onto the firewall and PS-turbo. I just need to replace it one of these days...

[AudiSportB5S4]

I have the same issue and can smell it in the car. I also see a little smoke coming from the drivers side of the engine when the engine first warms up. So, it's probably the valve cover gasket or cam tensioner seals? Anyone have a link to a diy? Thanks.

check your PMs. did you ever figure out the Vag com issue?

[Allaidback]

check your PMs. did you ever figure out the Vag com issue?

yeah...I explained in the prior post. Basically just adjusted the port setting under device manager.

[espo4442]

anyone have a detailed writeup for the cam tensioner seals?

[1997gtx]

^ More detailed than the above links?

[Blake260]

just did them tonight...not that bad...

[code7rpd]

Is there a trck to getting the driver's side plastic cam plug out?

[i5wikcedi3]

Same problem with me... replaced valve cover gaskets already, still smoking at warm up with a burning aroma in cabin but after its warmed up, nomore smoke in engine bay, or very minimal smoke but nomore smell. Can it be my cam seals? I did lose a little boost also...

[SilverThing]

Same problem with me... replaced valve cover gaskets already, still smoking at warm up with a burning aroma in cabin but after its warmed up, nomore smoke in engine bay, or very minimal smoke but nomore smell. Can it be my cam seals? I did lose a little boost also...

Sounds (smells?) like your cam seals are leaking - got the same issue and will be getting it fixed next week Hopefully, when done, no more oil burning smell in cabin.

[i5wikcedi3]

Thanks for the heads up SilverThing. Let me know if yours still smokes after you change out them seals.