overfuelling???I think!

[87_PROJECT]

Hey guys...
Apologies for the length of this post:I dont have much experience under the bonnet so to speak,very much want to learn more!

I thought i was all there with my golf! It has been off the road for 2-3 years,I aquired it just before xmas.

The timing went,sorted that out (well my mate did if im honest!)and she Seemed to be running fine,compression is good,new filters etc.

Problem is, started her today and Shes blowing alot white smoke !!! you can smell the petrol!!!

At least one of the spark plugs is "ticking".I have checked them and one is very black...

two are fairly dark,one is fine???

I presume that the "ticking" of the spark plug means it is firing (sparking) properly but maybe too much fuel to ignite?
I believe the problem is overfuelling...any clues?

Any advice on what to check...or rather how to fix!!!!!!


Thanks in advance...

[richandhazel]

Hi Ben,
white smoke is usually water vapour.
Over fuelling or poor combustion is usually black smoke.

Having said that, from what you have said about the plugs, it sounds like it might be a good idea to purchase a new set of plugs and try it again.
If the plug is very black then that is an indication of poor combustion......and the ticking noise might well be the plug shorting internally, maybe, and not producing a spark at the electrode.....hence no combustion.

Definately, for the sake of a set of plugs, it would be a worth a go.
HTH

[87_PROJECT]

Thanks mate...

just shows how much i know!white smoke/black smoke etc!!!

I will change the spark plugs and take it from there!

Thanks again,

I got my quote down to 875...not too bad me thinks!(at least its under a grand anyway!)

[87_PROJECT]

Right...

I changed the spark plugs...Made a huge difference to ignition(now starts first time no probs) and when idleing sounds much more stable(sort of smoother idle if you know what I mean!)Definately made a large improvement...

...however theres still a lot of white smoke!!!I havent taken it out for a drive...as I dont want to make the problem worse...

I left her idleing on the drive for about an hour,and the problem seemed to get worse the longer she was running(IE only a little smoke at first,cold,then at running temp more and more...obviously worse when you rev it!!!)

As you can all clearly see my lack of mechanical knowledge...any guidance or ideas of what to try next would be greatly appreciated!!!

A couple of people have suggested the head gasket...any other clues???

[66split]

hiya, white smoke may well tend to appear worse when the motor is warm cos you can evaporate more water from the exhaust. My mk2 87 has a gurt big scorpion exhaust on it which performs very well as a rain butt.  It smokes man!! but i never burn oil.  

Anyway without wanting to cause further concern how is your water level in the rad? is it constant? if you are losing water I would get a compression test or cylinder leak test done cos you might have a weepy head gasket. poss on the pot with the black plug. don't quote me on this but it happened to my mk1 1100 exactly what you describe(i know, different car)but the principle is the same.

66split

[87_PROJECT]

Hey guys...

Thanks for the help,After changing the spark plugs,I think im worrying about  nowt!(Thanks Rich)

Seems to have healed!!!Prob just some water left over from when it snowed!(as u said 66!)

Well...with insurance down to 875:),mot booked for monday...Ill be joining you guys soon on the road...Beware!

Thanks again...