Flashing CEL and Smoke: S3 PCV Valve Warning Signs

Had similar symptoms with a 2019 Audi RS3. The crankcase ventilation system malfunction caused excessive pressure buildup, leading to oil consumption and exhaust smoke. The PCV valve was completely clogged, allowing oil vapor to enter the intake manifold. The repair involved replacing the complete PCV assembly and cleaning the intake manifold to remove oil residue. This was serious because continued operation could have damaged the turbocharger and catalytic converter due to increased emissions and oil contamination. The maintenance took a full day at the shop. They found the original PCV valve had deteriorated, causing the engine to run rich and trigger multiple fault codes. The symptoms matched exactly, power loss, smoke during acceleration, and irregular idle. If left unaddressed, these issues typically escalate to turbo failure and increased engine wear. Regular PCV system checks should be part of routine maintenance to prevent such malfunctions. Would strongly recommend getting it fixed soon, as running the engine with a defective crankcase ventilation system can lead to more expensive repairs down the line.

Thanks for sharing your RS3 experience. I had nearly identical symptoms with my S3 last year. The smoke and power loss really had me worried until we traced it to the PCV system. Did you remember roughly what the total repair cost was for the valve replacement and cleaning? Also curious if youve noticed any other related issues since the fix? My mechanic mentioned something about keeping an eye out for oil leaks around the valve cover area after this type of repair.

Thanks for asking about the repair cost. The PCV valve replacement and intake cleaning totaled 360 Euro at my mechanic, which included labor and parts. Since fixing the crankcase ventilation issue, the car has been running perfectly with no smoke, power loss, or related problems. I have not experienced any valve cover leaks after the maintenance work. The PCV system is functioning as intended now, properly regulating crankcase pressure. Regular checks show no oil consumption issues or unusual pressure buildup that could cause new leaks. The fix completely resolved the malfunction and restored proper engine performance. Its worth mentioning that preventive maintenance of the PCV system can help avoid similar issues in the future. I now have it checked during regular service intervals.

After getting multiple recommendations pointing to the PCV system, I took my S3 to a specialist mechanic. Turned out the diagnosis was spot on, a faulty PCV valve was causing all those issues with smoke and power loss. The repair took about 5 hours. They replaced the entire PCV assembly and cleaned out the intake system which had accumulated oil residue from the leak. Total cost came to 420 Euro including parts and labor. The difference in performance was immediate. No more smoke from the exhaust, power is fully restored, and emissions are back to normal. The engine light cleared up right after the maintenance was completed. Its been 3 months since the repair, and everything is running perfectly. No oil leaks or other issues have shown up. Regular checks show the crankcase ventilation is working as it should. Definitely worth getting it fixed rather than risking more expensive damage.