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Audi Q5: PCV / Oil Separator Valve Failure

PCV / Oil Separator Valve Failure is a very common engine fault on the Audi Q5 on the 2008–2015 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $400 to $1,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 20 documented faults on the Audi Q5.

Vehicle
Audi Q5
Engine
1.8L / 2.0L
Years
2008–2015
Fuel
petrol
System
Engine

This page covers the Audi Q5 as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Audi Q5 faults20 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the PCV / oil separator yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The EA888 PCV oil separator membrane integrated into the Q5's valve cover is subject to the same heat-cycling fatigue as in the A4 platform. When the diaphragm cracks, crankcase pressure cannot be regulated, drawing oil vapour into the intake manifold and fouling the direct-injection throttle body and intake valves with carbon. Carbon buildup on intake valves is particularly severe because GDI engines have no port fuel injection wash. The Q5 FY with DETA/DLYA EA888 Gen 3 engines retains this failure mode, requiring either catch can installation or periodic intake valve cleaning.

What you would notice

  • Blue smoke on deceleration or overrun
  • Oil consumption without visible external leaks
  • Rough idle and misfires after high mileage
  • Oily carbon deposits inside intake hose at throttle body

How to check it

Where to look. PCV membrane inside valve cover; hose routes to intake manifold

Check valve cover PCV hose for oil contamination by wiping inside with a rag. Check current oil level and ask how often it has needed topping up. On higher-mileage examples request evidence of intake valve cleaning (walnut blasting) which should be done by 100,000 km. If a workshop inspection is possible: Remove the air intake hose at the throttle body and inspect the throttle plate for oily black carbon deposits.

Parts involved: PCV / oil separator.

What it costs to put right

$400 to $1,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the PCV oil separator or valve cover been replaced?”
  • “How much oil is being consumed between service intervals?”
  • “Has the intake manifold or valves been cleaned (walnut blasted)?”

Now check the Audi Q5 you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Audi Q5 buyer questions

Is pcv / oil separator valve failure serious on a Audi Q5?

We rate it major and very common on the Audi Q5. The EA888 PCV oil separator membrane integrated into the Q5's valve cover is subject to the same heat-cycling fatigue as in the A4 platform. When the diaphragm cracks, crankcase pressure cannot be regulated, drawing oil vapour into the intake manifold and fouling the direct-injection throttle body and intake valves with carbon. Carbon buildup on intake valves is particularly severe because GDI engines have no port fuel injection wash. The Q5 FY with DETA/DLYA EA888 Gen 3 engines retains this failure mode, requiring either catch can installation or periodic intake valve cleaning.

How much does it cost to fix on a Audi Q5?

$400 to $1,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Audi Q5 years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2008–2015 Audi Q5. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Check valve cover PCV hose for oil contamination by wiping inside with a rag. Check current oil level and ask how often it has needed topping up. On higher-mileage examples request evidence of intake valve cleaning (walnut blasting) which should be done by 100,000 km. If a workshop inspection is possible: Remove the air intake hose at the throttle body and inspect the throttle plate for oily black carbon deposits. Look here: PCV membrane inside valve cover; hose routes to intake manifold