The Scent of Discomfort: Troubleshooting Audi A4's Burning Oil Smell

Author: Motorwerks Auto Group

We have all been there and we know how inconvenient it can be to drive a vehicle that emits an oil-burning odor. So, what exactly does it mean when your Audi A4 starts giving off an unusual oil-burning odor and what can you do to trace such a problem to its root? Read through this blog post to find out…

Understanding the Role of Oil in a Car Engine…

  • Lubrication of moving parts of the engine
  • Elimination of heat generated by the engine
  • Corrosion inhibition
  • Prevention of sludge formation
  • these are some of the reasons why internal combustion engines require oil. Whether it is conventional oil or synthetic; the oil you put in your car engine has a maximum serviceable life and needs to be replaced thereafter. Routine inspection of motor oil quality and quantity is therefore advised. Increased oil consumption and the emergence of oil burning odor are two other things that you should take note of.

The below discussion sheds light on some of the prominent reasons why an Audi A4 may start giving off a burning odor and things that you can do to get the issue fixed. Have a look…

Decoding Audi A4’s Oil Burning Odor…

Reason #1- Your engine; it’s overheated

More often than not… engine overheating is attributed to the emergence of oil burning odor from a vehicle. So, if your Audi A4 is giving out a burning odor as if oil is burning in the engine compartment, it is advised to check the engine temperature gauge. If the gauge reads high, don’t waste time contemplating the issue. Reach out to the nearest service center to have the issue diagnosed and fixed.

Reason #2- Motor oil; it’s leaking onto a hot surface

There are narrow passages carefully incorporated into car engines; to allow uninterrupted circulation of motor oil. It is through these narrow tunnels that oil reaches the far flung engine parts. If for some reason motor oil leaks out of one of these tunnels and pour onto the hot engine surface, it will be burnt off- leaving a strange burning odor in the process. From a cracked gasket to a damaged seal- there are all sorts of different reasons as to why motor oil may pour out of a car engine.

Reason #3- PCV valve; there’s something off about it

PCV or Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve, in essence, is a tool used to minimize crankcase emission. It basically works by redirecting blow-by gases present inside the engine's crankcase into the combustion chamber of the engine. And, yes… by removing combustion gases from the crankcase the PCV valve plays a crucial role in optimizing oil pressure within the system. If it malfunctions, oil pressure within the system will increase. Oil leak onto hot engine surface because of a defective PCV valve may contribute to the emergence of a burning odor.

Reason #4- Motor oil; it’s expired

Motor oil, as with other fluids used in a car, has an expiry date… Not replacing your vehicle’s motor oil on time may contribute to a wide range of different engine problems. One way to tell if it’s time to have your Audi A4’s motor oil changed is the emergence of a distinctive burning odor from the engine compartment.

Audi A4’s Oil Burning Odor: Steps to Be Taken

  • The first thing that you should check if you notice oil burning odor in your Audi A4 is the engine temperature gauge. If the engine is running hot, find out the culprit and get it fixed.
  • If the engine temperature is within the permissible limits, check if there is a leak somewhere in the system from which the oil is pouring onto the hot engine surface. If there is indeed a leak, get it fixed by a certified professional.
  • One more thing, keep an eye on your vehicle’s motor oil. If you think it has reached its maximum serviceable life, consider replacing it.

Bottom Line

The following points are the key takeaways of this blog post…

  • Oil-burning odor emerging from your Audi A4 could point to a serious engine issue.
  • Engine overheating and PCV valve failure are among the issues that may contribute to such a problem.
  • You should be quick to trace the problem to its root and have it fixed.

We hope this helps…