Any ideas people

[tinman]

In your original post you said the car hasn't been used much recently. That could easily be the problem. Its an engine that getting back in touch with life.

It could be the oil breather (i think thats what its called) is a little blocked. You may just want to dump its current oil and change the oil filter to start with. Changing the block isn't what i'd do as a first line of enquiry.

If it was something more serious then opt for a .25mm rebore with new piston heads.

I would not touch a recon to save my life. Its a bit like trading in the girlfriend for a different one - You Dont Know Where Its Been and Who Shagged It.

Tin

[16v Matt]

Hi Tinman, Yeah i've only owned the car for about 3 weeks, but i know it was used very infrequently for at least 12 months. I changed the oil & filter last weekend & used synta silva 10w/40. I'll check the breather system this weekend, any ideas what i should be looking for??

[Dean]

It sounds like valve stem oil seals to me.

But I would be very surprised if it is not throwing out oil when starting up from cold.

Get a compression test doen or take it to a good VW specialist garage that is trust worthy.

Regards.

Dean.

[16v Matt]

Cheers for the input dean, it maybe chucking oil out from cold it might just be not so visable. When it is hot i can actually see it in the mirrors. But first thing in the morning or after its been stood a while i don't see it.  :-[

[mk1]

I agree with Dean, valve stem oil seals. When the engine is not running, the oil in the head above the valves leaks past the seals and enters the cylinder or sits behind the closed valves and when you start the engine this oil is burned and shows as smoke. I would not worry about a small puff of smoke on startup, (a little upper cylinder lube wont do any harm ). Don't forget that this is a 16v engine, so double the stem seals as a 8v and they are a know weak point on that engine.
Steve.

[16v Matt]

So after it has been stood a while the oil will all drain back t the sump, so no smoke or less anyway?? Thanks for the advice Steve

[mk1]

Ah, no. The seals are leaking a small amount of oil down the valve guides that would have normally been held back. When the engine isn't running the oil drains down into the sump, some oil is held around the cam and valves so the are not "dry" when the engine is started. It is a small amount of this oil that seeps past the stem seals and causes the smoke.
Hpoe this helps,
Steve.

[16v Matt]

Yeah that great Steve, thanks very much.  

Guess the Ronals will have to wait though!!

Cheers, Matt

[16v Matt]

Hi everyone, just thought i'd let you know. Done a compression test today & all seems spot on. So its looking like stem seals  

Thanks again people.
Matt