B8 A4 Exhaust Leak Possibly Turbo Failure?

[S4_SH1640]

Was doing some cleaning around the engine and noticed this residue where the turbo and the downpipe meets. Was wondering if anyone had a similar problem and what do you think it is?









Is it something i should worry about or its nothing.

Turbo fins look fine, no blue smoke, only when i completely floor it then i do get a little black smoke but its almost nothing.

I recently did get the Po299 Code but once i deleted it, it never came back. (its been about a month now)

[Bruce G.]

Try fitting in a new gasket. I would push back the cat, clean it up and place a new gasket in. But I find it strange how a little crack post turbine would cause a low boost code. Like, people with an exhaust leak dont get low boost codes. I would look post turbo on the compressor side (intake system), exhauset manifold or wastegate for the cause of the code.

[Bruce G.]

But the fact ur producing blue smoke can also spell bad cause that usually means burning oil. If the internals of the turbo is starting to go, oil can enter your system causing burnt oil. If thats the case, you need a new turbo cause you cannot rebuild B8 turbos. But it can also be your pcv system or piston rings, seals, ect causing oil to enter the combustion chambers, you know normal Audi problems

[S4_SH1640]

thanks for the reply.

so audi changed pistons and piston rings on the engine at 90k miles. i now have 140k miles. With that said, the engine still does burn a little bit more oil than it should, in my opinion. So a new PCV is on its way and i plan to change that soon.

But my question to you is, if the turbo seals are worn, basically the turbo on its way out... could this be the cause of a burning oil issue??



In a few weeks as weather gets a little better, i will take off the turbo and inspect it for shaft play and install the waste gate clip and new exhaust manifold gasket and such but for now i will try to baby it and try to get a few months on that turbo.

[Bruce G.]

you are on the right tract. Worn turbo seals will cause a burning oil issue. One way to way to quickly check is to check for oil residue in your intercooler charge pipe post turbo. If your still not sure, checking for shaft play is next. Changing your pcv will always help too. I just replaced my turbo because my wastegate had too much play causing low boost. I am not having oil consumption issues luckily but I'm thinking about installing a catchcan system to help better relieve high crankcase pressures which is known to cause oil consumption and slow down carbon build up.