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Topic: Smoking engine (Read 2570 times) previous topic - next topic

Smoking engine

Picked up Jacob’s Mk2 today, lucky for us (or unlucky) we broke down on the way home!

Sadly, in the car there is no bonnet release cable/handle, so at the moment can’t open up the bonnet; first problem.  Any ideas around this?

Oil light came on, (it was checked) stopped the car and it looked as if she was smoking 50 Marlborough at once!  Came home on recovery so going to investigate in the morning.

What a day!
National Meet - 18-20 July 2025 @ Curborough Sprint Course

Re: Smoking engine

Reply #1 –
Sounds like valve steam seals hopefully, cheapest fix anyway vs rings

Re: Smoking engine

Reply #2 –
Hopefully a cheap fix! Know more tomorrow fingers crossed.  One devastated 14 yr old at the moment:(
National Meet - 18-20 July 2025 @ Curborough Sprint Course

Re: Smoking engine

Reply #3 –
It could be overfilled with oil which is an easier fix.
scs

Re: Smoking engine

Reply #4 –
If it wasn't smoking before the oil light came on I would prepare myself for a serious repair.

To get access spring the bonnet catch with a screwdriver through the VW badge on the grill.

Re: Smoking engine

Reply #6 –
Manage it in the end, think latch had seized bit of wd40 then pop, bonnet open.

On inspection - oil level still fine.  Noticed a leak on the block.
National Meet - 18-20 July 2025 @ Curborough Sprint Course

Re: Smoking engine

Reply #8 –
Was it smoking out the exhaust, or just from under the bonnet?
Could just be oil burning off from when it was filled up.

What was/is the colour of the smoke?
Usually there are three colours:
White (steam)- Water getting into the combustion chamber, this can be from a head gasket
Blue - Oil getting in, this can be a number of things, from stem seals to breather system blocked
Black - Fuel, usually overfueling - get the carb set up
Mk2 Driver
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Re: Smoking engine

Reply #9 –
Smoking just from bonnet.

I’m gonna say grey! Stunk of oil.


We turned the engine over for a second at home and there’s a leak here
National Meet - 18-20 July 2025 @ Curborough Sprint Course

Re: Smoking engine

Reply #12 –
Ok, if it's not coming out the exhaust, it might not be as bad as we first thought.
Sounds very much like the classic - someone missed when topping up the oil and when driving it, you've got things hot enough to start burning it off.

As for your coolant flange, does look like it's leaking, they're relatively cheap to buy new.
Don't buy just the o ring, chances are the flange is warped now.

But give it a load of wd40 every day for a few weeks before attempting the job, those bolts have a horrible knack of seizing in the head.
Mk2 Driver
Mk2 Silver 8v
Corrado G60 Turbo
Mk2 Red 8v
Mk2 Grey 16v
Mk2 BBM ABF
Bora 20vt
Mk2 Green VR6
Mk2 Green ABF
Mk2 BBM 20vt
3.2 TT Roadster
Mk2 Red 16v
225 TT Coup
3.2 TT Coup
Mk4 Anniversary
Mk7 Red GTI Performance
Mk2 Red GTI Restoration
Mk2 BBM R32
911 Carrera 4S

Re: Smoking engine

Reply #13 –
Whilst you are doing the flange you may wish to check the state of the metal water pipe too since they have a habit of rusting through (where it bends round the front corner of the engine. Then there is swapping the heater matrix pipes out for MK3 items but I guess you'd want to be confident the matrix has been replaced so you don't get a scolding hot leg shower...Maybe the extras are a job for summer.

Re WD40. Plusgas may be more effective?
1991 Tornado Red BB 8v GTI Moredoor
2008 Skoda Octy Scout aka dirty diesel

Re: Smoking engine

Reply #14 –
Quote from: nige t on
Is it coming out of the oil pressure switch?
. Honestly no idea, or more to the point; don’t know where that is lol
National Meet - 18-20 July 2025 @ Curborough Sprint Course