VW Atlas PCV Issues: Smoke and Power Loss Symptoms

I had a very similar issue with my 2016 VW Tiguan last year. Having some experience with VW maintenance, I recognized those classic PCV valve symptoms you described, the smoke during acceleration was a major red flag. The reduced power and check engine light matched exactly what happened in my case. It turned out the crankcase ventilation system was completely shot, causing excessive pressure buildup and oil consumption. My mechanic found a cracked PCV valve and deteriorated hoses that were causing serious vacuum leaks. The total repair came to 360€, which included replacing the PCV valve assembly, related gaskets, and cleaning the intake manifold that had gotten gunked up from the leak. The fix completely resolved the power loss and smoke issues. Could you share your current mileage and whether you notice any oil consumption between changes? Also, when accelerating, is the smoke more visible at specific RPM ranges? This info would help confirm if your symptoms align with what I experienced. The PCV system is a common failure point on these VW engines, and catching it early prevents more expensive problems down the line. Getting it properly diagnosed and fixed is definitely the right move.

Just had my latest service done at 93138km and the symptoms you described match exactly what I experienced, the smoke, power loss, and check engine light. After diagnosis, the PCV valve was confirmed faulty, creating vacuum leaks and pressure issues in the crankcase. The maintenance work involved a complete PCV system replacement plus cleaning of oil deposits from the intake. Total cost was around 400€ for parts and labor. Since the repair, the engine runs smoothly with no more malfunction indicators or smoke issues. I recommend having it checked soon, as PCV system problems can lead to more severe engine damage if left unaddressed.

Thanks for sharing your repair experience. Pretty much mirrors what happened with my Tiguan, I would have saved money getting it fixed sooner rather than waiting. The smoke during acceleration was my first warning sign too. One thing I learned from my PCV valve failure is that regular maintenance checks of the crankcase ventilation system are crucial. Since my repair, I have my mechanic inspect the PCV components during every oil change to catch any early signs of deterioration. Good to hear your engine is running properly again after the fix. The 400€ repair cost sounds about right compared to what I paid. These VW engines really need a properly functioning ventilation system to prevent pressure buildup and oil consumption issues. Just keep an eye on your oil levels for the next few months. In my case, it took a couple of oil changes for consumption to fully normalize after the PCV system replacement.

Thanks for confirming everything! Those repair costs seem to be the going rate, both you and the other commenter paid around 360-400€ for the full PCV valve replacement and cleaning. My mechanic just completed the work yesterday and the car already feels much better. The smoke under acceleration is completely gone now and the engine has its full power back. They showed me the old ventilation components and there was clear evidence of malfunction, with cracks in the valve housing and deteriorated hoses causing those vacuum leaks we discussed. Based on this experience, I agree these VW engines are sensitive to PCV system issues. Catching the leak early definitely saved me from more extensive repairs. Will keep monitoring oil levels as suggested to ensure everything stays normalized after the fix. Really appreciate the detailed insights about the crankcase ventilation problems you encountered. Having real-world confirmation about the symptoms and repair costs helped confirm I was on the right track with the diagnosis.