White smoke on Startup only - GTI Digi Mk2

[Daxcossie]

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 ?

 

[NewStu]

All cars do that on cold mornings dont they?

[Daxcossie]

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 ?

[mattp1983]

mine has always done it, think its cause its running rich on the cold start
doesn't do it much in summer

[Ben Lessani]

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!

[Golf8vGti]

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?

[turbodub]

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.

[cняis]

dont worry about it, its normal. 

[rubjonny]

Mine doesn't do it, replace the blue temp sender for starters

[DarnPB]

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.