2003 Volkswagen Golf Grey Smoke on Start Up

MICHAELHAYEN

MEMBER
2003 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
55,000 MILES

I have had the thermostat and the temp sensors all replaced - as fault codes were showing for these when tested - but my car still is blowing grey smoke at or just after start up (only in the morning). The engine also will miss when you press the accelerator the first time. The problem goes away after 5-10 seconds and the car is then fine for the rest of the day. Could it be the valve stem guides? If it is these shouldn't a problem show up up on the fault codes? This probably isn't relevant, but it only started having this problem the day I left my lights on over night and it had to be jump started in the morning. It was funny that morning and has been since.

4 Replies

BILLYMAC

MECHANIC
2,204 POSTS

Hi yes sounds like valve seals. And no this won, t show up on any diag. Not a big problem just something eventually will need addressed

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Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 AT 7:14 PM

MICHAELHAYEN

MEMBER
6 POSTS

Hi Billy Mac

Thanks for your response. I have been back to the garage and they replaced another thermostat. Now the problem only happens every 4-5 days. Could this still be valve seals or wouldn't it smoke every morning if that was the problem?

Is it possible that the problem could be the wrong grade of oil? Before I went to this mechanic the oil was topped up by another workshop who looked at the car but were really clueless. My guess is they put the wrong oil in as they charged me much less than usual for the premium oil VWs require?

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Sunday, April 12th, 2009 AT 7:02 PM

BILLYMAC

MECHANIC
2,204 POSTS

Hi, well typically the longer a car sets. The more it will smoke if valve seals are bad. However if the car is driven everyday then it should smoke every day. So this leads me to believe you may have a prob with a head gasket.A head gasket may leak, and cause smoke periodically according to temperature.

If this is the case, it may be very hard to diag. It can be tested with an engine scope, and a probe inserted in the radiator. This test for carbon monoxide. Or exhaust leaking into the cooling system. But this equiptment is expensive and usually only avail at the bigger shops.

However this is no guarantee it will be found. What you have is the onset of a prob that will certainly get worse. When it get, s worse it will be easier to diag.
If this was my car, I think I would wait and let it get worse. Rather then spend a bunch of diag hours.
Anywhere their is smoke it has to be burning on a spark plug one plug will be burning diff from the others. This is the cyl that will have the prob.

And as far as the oil not likely this is the cause. But a quick solution is have the oil changed and demand the type oil that your mfg reccomends. Good luck and thanks for writeing billymac

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Sunday, April 12th, 2009 AT 7:34 PM

MICHAELHAYEN

MEMBER
6 POSTS

Hi Billy Mac

What you say makes sense. The only thing is the head gasket was chemical tested and showed no problems.

May be as you say. Just wait and see.

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Monday, April 13th, 2009 AT 2:13 AM