Coolant or oil splashing onto turbo manifold

[qccoles]

When the engine is cold, I get a rough idle and a bad misfire for about 20 seconds. After the 20 seconds, everything smooths out. I noticed on startup, I can see some fluid hitting the turbo manifold and burning off. It only does this once, it does not continually spray. I'm thinking(but hoping im wrong) theres a crack on the engine somewhere, or hopefully a bad gasket somewhere. I'm new to the 1.8t and would prefer not to take the turbo off if I don't have to.. Does anyone know what might be above this spot? Or better yet, any pictures?


In this picture, there is no moisture. Just the spot in question. Photo credit to a4mods.com

[Let it snow]

Unfortunately that sounds like the head or head gasket is leaking coolant into the combustion chamber then migrating out the turbo gasket. This is also likely the misfire until the coolant is burned out of the combustion chamber.

[Shortrun]

Put a white cloth under where it is dripping and catch a few drops. Shut down the engine before it all burns up.
You really want to know what is dripping.

[DiertyEuroSpec]

Head issue had the same issue.

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[Waspjr]

Taste it is it sweet or not? And if your not a 100% on a headgasket use a headgasket sniffer kit it will never lie.


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[Waspjr]

I shouldn't say never but you know what i mean.


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[qccoles]

Slight update. Here are the spark plugs I pulled. Spark plug 1 being the cylinder closest to the firewall. Spark plug 4 is the cylinder closest to the front end. You can see that spark plug 1 and 2(which are actually cylinder 3 and 4) have a coat of oil on the threads. Valve cover gasket? Not sure if this is related to the leak that I'm getting on the turbo manifold. I cannot find any signs of coolant or oil mixing/contamination.

[customa4]

Yea, looks like it could be a headgasket problem. You could do a compression check.

Compression Check
Engine oil temperature at least 30°C
Battery voltage at least 12.7 V
Remove engine cover
Switch off ignition
Disconnect coil pack harness'
Pull out ignition coils
Remove spark plugs
Disconnect connectors from all injectors
Fully open throttle valve
Check compression with the compression tester
Using the compression tester-Operate starter until tester shows no further pressure increase

Max difference between cylinders-43.51 psi

You can rent a compression tester from Auto Zone/Advanced Auto. You have to put like a $50 deposit to take the tool but when you bring it back they give you all of your money back. Basically free but they want to make sure you don't keep the tool, if you do keep it, they keep the deposit.

[onceover]

Shine a flashlight down into the cylinder bore through the spark plug holes. Are any of the cylinders noticeably cleaner than the others?

[qccoles]

Shine a flashlight down into the cylinder bore through the spark plug holes. Are any of the cylinders noticeably cleaner than the others?

I'm not able to get a good picture of them but from what I can see, cylinder 4(closest to firewall) looks very clean in comparison. This is a definite head gasket symptom, right?

[customa4]

Yepp. Do a compression check.

[ADCS]

Sounds like coolant however if you suspect it is oil I wouldn't drive it till it's fixed. If it is oil, and if the slow drip becomes a fast drip or worse, there is a high risk of an engine fire...