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General => The garage => Topic started by: Blue MK2 on 01 November 2003, 14:55

Title: Smoky MK2 GTi
Post by: Blue MK2 on 01 November 2003, 14:55
Ive herd that MK2's smoke alot but what causes this and how is it fixed?

As im thinking it might be a job where i have to take the engine apart im thinking of changing the head gasket aswel.

How is head 'skimming' done and where can i get this done?

Cheers.
Title: Re:Smoky MK2 GTi
Post by: mk1 on 01 November 2003, 17:39
Most smoke is from worn/hardend valve stem oil seals.
Can be done with the head still on, but if your doing the head gasket, then you are half way there. When the head is off, remove the camshaft, valve springs and valves. The "stem" seals are metal/rubber seal that fits on the top of the valve guide and stops oil from going down the guide into the combustion chamber causing the smoke. Pull off the old seals, press on the new ones and that is about it. (The seals can be a bit hard to get off)  Check that there isn't excessive sideways movement in the guide by rocking the valve sideways.
Skimming the head is done at a engine machine shop or reconditioners. They resurface the head gasket side of the head to make it dead flat, usualy about ?25 where I am.
Steve.
Title: Re:Smoky MK2 GTi
Post by: Blue MK2 on 01 November 2003, 18:13
Thanx 4 the info. Perfect cheers
Title: Re:Smoky MK2 GTi
Post by: tinman on 01 November 2003, 23:27
Ive herd that MK2's smoke alot but what causes this and how is it fixed?


Cheap cigarettes and Nicorette patches. God knows what'd happen if they found drugs....

Not sure why you need the head skimmed. Unless the engine has over heated then it shouldn't be required. The only reason you would need to skim it is to remove any warp that has occured through high temperatures.

If you only burn oil at high revs then the oil sump breather is blocked.

Regards,
Tin
Title: Re:Smoky MK2 GTi
Post by: Blue MK2 on 01 November 2003, 23:46
just feel like giving the engine a good seing to. :P
Title: Re:Smoky MK2 GTi
Post by: M on 02 November 2003, 11:37
If it produces smoke when under hard acceleration it's more likely to be worn piston rings.  A bit more expensive to cure!

M
Title: Re:Smoky MK2 GTi
Post by: golfvr6 on 02 November 2003, 11:40
Have you tried a compression test?
Title: Re:Smoky MK2 GTi
Post by: Blue MK2 on 02 November 2003, 12:23
Whats a compression test mate?
Title: Re:Smoky MK2 GTi
Post by: golfvr6 on 02 November 2003, 18:04
A simple gauge that screws in the spark plug hole. Disable the fuel and ignition systems, take the spark plugs out, screw the gauge in, and turn the engine over on the starter. Each cylinder should be quite even, and usually between 10 and 13 bar. You can buy the tester from Halfords for about ?20.
Title: Re:Smoky MK2 GTi
Post by: Blue MK2 on 02 November 2003, 18:08
Ohh that thing. I seen that on 'a car is born' once (TV series)
Title: Re:Smoky MK2 GTi
Post by: golfvr6 on 02 November 2003, 18:39
It will tell you if your rings are sealing, valve seats/guides are sealing, and if your headgasket is knackered.
Title: Re:Smoky MK2 GTi
Post by: Blue MK2 on 02 November 2003, 23:38
ive covered 127,000 miles.  Maybe its time for an engine overhaul as the performance isnt too great. ???
Title: Re:Smoky MK2 GTi
Post by: golfvr6 on 04 November 2003, 00:06
Before getting the engine rebuilt , check all the basics ie. mixture, ignition timing, ignition system. Might just need a bit of a tune.
Title: Re:Smoky MK2 GTi
Post by: Blue MK2 on 04 November 2003, 22:21
its been tuned up but im a bit of a perfectionist. :-\
Title: Re:Smoky MK2 GTi
Post by: Maltloaf on 07 November 2003, 18:49
I managed to stop my mk2 8v smoking by doing a very expensive oil change.

Years of cheap oil just clogged everything up.

2 lots of engine flush
5-40W Synth Oil (not the cheap stuff)
Slick 50
Genuine VW Oil filter

Did the job a treat, well put it off for a few months anyway. ;D