A3 Smoke & Power Loss Points to Faulty PCV Valve

Had similar symptoms on my 2012 Audi A4 2.0T, engine light, power loss, and smoke under acceleration. Turned out the crankcase ventilation system was failing, causing oil to leak into places it should not go. The PCV valve was completely clogged, which increased crankcase pressure and forced oil past the seals. This created excessive emissions and that smoky exhaust. The maintenance involved replacing the entire PCV assembly and valve cover since oil had contaminated the surrounding components. The repair was significant since oil contamination affected multiple parts. The symptoms matched exactly, reduced power, smoke, and that warning light. Left untreated, it could have led to more serious engine damage. This ventilation issue is common on these engines. The fix required complete system replacement including breather tubes and separator assembly to restore proper pressure regulation. Would recommend getting it checked soon, as these symptoms typically worsen quickly with continued driving.

Thanks for sharing your similar experience. Actually went through this exact issue last summer with my A3. The smoke and power problems match perfectly with what I dealt with. The crankcase ventilation system was indeed completely shot, causing oil contamination just like you described. My emissions were way off and the smoke kept getting worse until I had it fixed. I am curious, do you remember roughly what the maintenance cost was for your repair? Mine was quite expensive but wondering if thats normal. Also, has everything been running smoothly since the fix or have you noticed any other related issues popping up? The maintenance seemed to solve my immediate problems but always good to know what to watch out for.

Finally got around to updating, repair bill came to 360 Euro for the complete crankcase ventilation system replacement. Since fixing the PCV valve and associated components last summer, the engine has been running perfectly. No more smoke at idle or during acceleration, power is fully restored, and engine light stayed off. The repair solved all those frustrating symptoms we both experienced. No oil leaks or contamination issues since then. The engine maintains steady idle and proper pressure regulation now that the ventilation system is working correctly. Worth every cent considering how much worse the engine problems could have gotten if left unfixed. Keep monitoring for any changes, but if your repair was done properly like mine, you should be good to go for many miles ahead.

Thanks for the input. Just got back from my mechanic yesterday after dealing with this problem. Total bill was 420 Euro for parts and labor, which seems reasonable after hearing other experiences. The malfunction was exactly as described, failed PCV system causing all that smoke and power loss. They showed me the old parts and the oil contamination was pretty bad. Guess I caught it just in time before serious engine damage happened. After the maintenance, my A3 runs like new again. No more smoke under acceleration, idle is smooth, and that annoying engine light is finally off. The difference in performance is amazing, definitely worth getting it fixed properly rather than trying cheaper temporary solutions. Really glad I asked here first and got solid advice about the crankcase ventilation issues. Made me feel more confident dealing with the mechanic and knowing what needed fixing.