Another smoke question

[MackyM]

A month ago my car didn't smoke at all. Then it began to smoke on idle after sitting for 5 minutes or so. Now it's smoking after a few seconds on idle. Can the valve stems/guides deteriorate that quickly - I always thought these problems would gradually come on. Is something more seriously possibly happening?? 

[Brads MK2 GTI]

What colour smoke is it? And are you sure some of it's not steam from condensation?

Since I got a full stainless system, with larger tailpipes, the ammount of stram that's pushed out in v.cold damp weather is obscene!

[rowlers]

mine puffs smoke out like a chimney, its pure white and it runs well enough so  I'm not ar$ed at the moment!

[MackyM]

Blue and stinks of oil I'm afraid 

[Brads MK2 GTI]

Ah, blue & stinks of oil you say? Not ever a good thing, I'm lead to believe. Probably will be your piston rings or maybe valve stems. Seems strange to come on so suddenly, but I suppose if it was going to it'd have to @ some point. Maybe it's been really gradual for the last week or so and fairly unnoticeable?

[16v Matt]

Won't be rings if its smoking  on idle, does it smoke when you put your foot in the carpet?
I'd put nuff money on it being guides.   Does it give a puff of smoke when you start it from hot, say, when you fill up with petrol?

Think we've been here before?

[gti jim]

my valver has given out a puff of smoke after filling up a couple of times in the last few months (this only happens after giving a serious bit of welly down the A3).  i notice now as well when reversing you get a distinct smell of burning oil.  doesn't seem to be using much oil up at all though.  i noticed yeterday as well a nice film of oil over my panel filter which has happened before.

hopefully getting the car into my mechanic some time this week so i'd appreciate some opinions beforehand 

sorry for hi-jacking this thread 

[MackyM]

Yep, I'm pretty sure its the stems/guides I was just concerned at how suddenly it manifested itself.

Went to a garage today for a rough quote. Guy said that, depending on how many guides/stems needed replacing I would be looking at £300 plus. Does this seem about right??

[takethefifth]

I was quoted about the same to have mine done, about £160 he reckoned for just the seals but I reckon if you're gonna do it may as well get the lot done while its off.

[MackyM]

How's this for a theory? The smoking began at exactly the same time as I was using a petrol additive that removes carbon from the valves to improve performance. I reckon carbon was the only thing keeping the oil in! If I'm right then its likely just to be the seals that need replacing and not the guides? Does that make logical sense?