GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: Daxcossie on 22 January 2007, 13:17
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Could someone tell me why my car puffs white smoke on startup every morning ?
Tickover is always a little rough for 1st minute or so until warm.
Not using any water or oil, so am a little confused.
Its always been abit rough on startup.
When I first got the car car (18 months ago), it had a full service inc. water temp send, plugs (super 4's) and filters etc and even then it still done it.
Any ideas ? I guess this must be a common problem ?
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All cars do that on cold mornings dont they?
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My old 1600 Mk2 Golf never smoked on cold startups, however it did tickover alot higher to start off with and would then fall back again.
So, do all 1.8 Mk2 Digi's smoke on cold startups then ?
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mine has always done it, think its cause its running rich on the cold start
doesn't do it much in summer
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white smoke on startup can be a few things.
-- condensation in the exhaust, when the exhaust gas passes through it evaporates it and comes out as white smoke (steam)
-- valve seals worn, when the engine is off, oil could leak down from the head into the cylinders, causing white smoke on startup - but not always noticeable when driving about
-- rich mix, usually normal on a cold startup - nothing you can really do to avoid it
.......but if its not using any oil or water - don't give it a seconds thought!
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valve seals worn, when the engine is off, oil could leak down from the head into the cylinders, causing white smoke on startup - but not always noticeable when driving about
I always thought that was a puff of blue smoke as its burning oil? And white smoke usually means water?
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Yes blue smoke would indicate oil burning. You can generally tell if the stem seals have gone causing seapage into the cylinders, when you start the car after it has been standing for a few hours it will stink of burning oil for a couple of seconds.
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dont worry about it, its normal. :wink:
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Mine doesn't do it, replace the blue temp sender for starters :)
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White smoke on first start up is usually an indication that oil has leaked into the combustion chambers from worn or burnt valve guide seals. Blue smoke is usually an indication of piston rings worn, broken, especially noticeable when warm.
If your valve guide seals are gone, then it can be verified by taking the car up to a reasonable speed then let the engine over run for a few seconds, then quickly accelerate again whilst looking in the mirror. You would usually get a belch of white or grey/bluish smoke, then it will clear. Piston problems do not clear, only get worse. Valve guide seals=head off. Piston problems=rebuild.
Constant white smoke may indicate a blown head gasget and you are letting water into the oil system. Remove oil filler cap and look inside for a creamy disgusting looking sludge or similar. Or disconnect HT lead and turn engine over and listen for a missing compression. (Be carefull doing this. The ignition system does not like it!)
Hope this helps in your diagnoses.
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Update on last reply.
¨Constant white smoke may indicate blown head gasket and you are letting water into the oil system.¨
Water can also be transfering directly from the water galleries to the combustion chamber via a damaged head gasket. This would also cause you to lose compression.
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best way to do a compression test is to pull the ECU relay before you start, that way the coil will not be energised and the injectors wont spray fuel into the bores.
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I suspect that it could be worn valve guide seals. After 10 mins of running if sat in traffic for 5 mins or so and I then pull away it will puff white smoke on hard acceleration (foot to the floor).
How much will it cost for the guide seals to be changed in a Garage and should anything else be changed at the same time (I guess tappets) ?
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they'd charge you a small fortune, have to remove the head, replace head gasket, head bolts, then valves will need grounding in again,
at a guess, they'll charge you about 2.5 hrs labour to take the head off (if no problems are encountered), another 2.5 to rebuild it. £30 to lap the valves, new seals (dunno price), and then hg, and head bolts.
5hrs x £30 = £150
head gasket = £15ish
head bolts = £15ish
lap valves = £30
valve seals = ??
i dunno, about £2-300 i reckon?
do it yourself - easy peasy!
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Thanks for the info guys :smiley:
I will continue with it at present as its still starting ok and once warmed up drives well.
If it gets worse, I will then consider getting the valve seals done.