diesel!! (engine probs)

[MartT]

Hi

I have a 1.6 td, with some usual smokey start ups but now with further probs.

The smoke on start up is probably white/blue/grey if that makes sense. It does (or did - haven't tried it since the new prob) clear after a minute and seemed to be fine once driving.

I topped the oil up to max at the weekend before visiting family. About 50 miles each way. There weren't any power issues - or not that I noticed, but on the way back ... last 10 miles or so, I noticed clouds of smoke coming out the exhaust. I checked the oil last night and it is well below min so I guess it found its way into the cylinders and hence the smoke.

What are the likely causes for this?
Which are the easy ones to check for?

Anyone know a good VW garage near Gloucester that can sort a poorly TD?

very disappointed. new registration arrived yesterday too.

[HarryMann]

Where was the oil on the dipstick before you topped it up?
Was on flat ground when you checked it ?
Could you have overfilled it?

Engine and dipstick are original (not an adaptation, else dipstick could read wrong)???

I would drain and change oil and filter, apply 4.5 litres exactly and calibrate dipstick against that and use that...

If engine running Ok and oil pressure Ok, its either inadvertant overfilling or obviously a more serious problem, like rings (but then wouldn't like starting, certainly from cold) cracked head (unlikley though possible) or turbo bearings/seals (highly likely esp. when hot)

They hate being overfilled... even a wee bit

[MartT]

has been a bit difficult starting from cold. Fires but doesn't hold. Takes about 3 attempts and that is with waiting for the glow light to go out. I was hoping that might be a glow plug issue.

I will change the glow plugs this weekend and check to see if that helps starting.

As far as the engine etc is concerned ... all original (or stock) as far as I'm aware. Only had it a couple of weeks

[HarryMann]

I will change the glow plugs this weekend and check to see if that helps starting.

OK, GSF do them a lot cheaper than VW of course, but they are right devils to do without the right tool (an angled ratchet spanner, with magnetic head)...

You can remove but don't bend the injection pipes (you must know how to refit and re-tighten the unions), and re-check them

Try the easier two at the front of engine first, see if that makes a difference..

Torque = 30 N-m (22 ft lb) clean thread if soot down there and do not exceed torque

When you take one out you will sometimes see that it has failed (broken tip) or you can connect it with jump leads to the battery until it glows-red, then white-hot (or not) after a few seconds .. careful you don't burn yourself!

Start all threads on pipes, injectors and glo-plugs by hand until you are sure they are free-running and not crossed (fatal to cross threads on any of those items)

[Rozzo]

been messing around with things mechanical since i was twelve (now 45)
and i reckon i can say with some confidence
IT'S FOOKED

[MartT]

been messing around with things mechanical since i was twelve (now 45)
and i reckon i can say with some confidence
IT'S FOOKED

You may well be right ... but with your experience ... what is the actual problem?

[andysimpson]

been messing around with things mechanical since i was twelve (now 45)
and i reckon i can say with some confidence
IT'S FOOKED

At best needs a turbo.
Worst case bore/ring problem (new engine)

[ringo]

been messing around with things mechanical since i was twelve (now 45)
and i reckon i can say with some confidence
IT'S FOOKED

Or just a new clutch ? (sorry )

Ringo

E D I T: Sorry, not related to this post. Good luck. I hope its not.

[BiC]

I had similar problems last winter with my 1989 T25 1600cc deisel. I had oil leaks in the engine and gearbox. Local gargae dropped the engine and fitted new gaskets - high cost on labour but the gaskets themselves were cheap from VW (£20 I think).

Mine always smokes when its cold but its done 220,000 miles and it soon disapperas after a few miles - worse in cold weather.

I had starting problems and fitted 4 new glow plugs from a local motor factors - Lucas plugs at £7 each. As stated, I had to get the garage to do it as the two nearest the rear of the van are swines, with no clearance for finger work and I realy didn't want to take the starter etc off (positioned above those two plugs). But, they cured the starting problems and its run faultless for the last 12 months, starting first click, after letting the light go out, of course.

I'm about to start a new thread re the required spanner for this job, and the length of time I should expect them to last (a full new set of glow plugs, that is).

[MartT]

just replied on your other thread

[ELVIS]

turbo seals gone/on way out ? oil gets past them and into inlet tract and burnt off. hence drop in oil level and smoke. im no expert/mechanic but to lose a litre or so of oil in 100 miles i would guess you would have a VERY oily engine/exhaust/valance if it was a leak from somewhere.

[MartT]

new glow plugs in. dash light only stay on for a few seconds and starts easier.

also found a broken wire on what might have been a temperature sensor, which might also explain the much improved dash light. Was staying on for about a minute before

Have been out in it this evening. Drives well. Couldn't tell if there was excessive smoke cos of the dismal weather. Will be checking the oil level in the morning.

I reckon the turbo seals may be the issue.

Is that a professional job or DIY??

[ELVIS]

take the hose off that connects turbo to inlet fanimold, whats it look like inside ?

[andysimpson]

take the hose off that connects turbo to inlet fanimold, whats it look like inside ?

I can anser that without looking, wet with oil, they all are.

[ELVIS]

take the hose off that connects turbo to inlet fanimold, whats it look like inside ?

I can anser that without looking, wet with oil, they all are.

is it wet , or is it WET though

the two 1.6tds that died on me - first one with knackered engine had a wet pipe , one with blown turbo seals needed to drip dry for 15years!