I know there’s a few car people on this forum so I guess there’s no harm asking… My 98S Passat 1.8T has started making a tappy noise from what sounds like the front of the engine (around the turbo? Valves?) and smoking a little bit, it’s a thin white smoke tht smells a little bit sulphurus, I guess.

No warning lights are on, and as far as I can see (it’s still warm) oil and water are well within safe levels.

Any ideas?

If you don’t get an answer you could try http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk

Cheers, just did a search there and it sounds like it’s sludging in the sump…

Sounds possibly like a blown turbo oil seal, but it could be a dodgy wastegate. Is it more whistley than usual on boost?

Actually yeah, I think there is more of a whistle than usual

I had an audi a4 with the 1.8T engine, had the oil sludge problem which caused low oil pressure and tapety noise, i’m no expert but if its making the tapety noise now it prob means there isn’t enough oil getting to the engine, thus you’re wearing the vales down or something like that, get it seen too sharpish!

Aye for sure. It’s not going anywhere till the garage!