2003 Volkswagen Golf Grey Smoke on start up

MICHAELHAYEN

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

I had a problem with my car blowing grey smoke and running a bit rough every day on start up. It happened only first thing in the morning. The head gasket was chemical tested just to be sure and all of the thermostats etc were replaced.

However, it is still doing it, but now only every 3-5 days.

I have a feeling that the mechanic may not have used the right oil when he topped it up at the same time as doing the repair. It also seems to be going through oil. Could this be the reason the smoke continues?

Is there any reason smoke would only happen every few days? Surely if it was leaking valve seals it would happen every morning?

5 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Have the mechanic perform a dry and wet compression tests to include a cylinder leakdown test

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Sunday, April 12th, 2009 AT 8:20 PM

MICHAELHAYEN

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6 POSTS

Thanks for the advice. I guess you think the rings may be going? Can you explain why this would only happen every few days though?

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Monday, April 13th, 2009 AT 1:36 AM

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

If its the rings you'll see it while the engine is running. Blue smoke is what you gonna be seeing.

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Monday, April 13th, 2009 AT 3:52 PM

MICHAELHAYEN

MEMBER
6 POSTS

Have taken it back to the mechanic this morning. When I started it, it kept stalling real bad, blew out a tonne of black/grey smoke and left a pool of unburnt fuel on the grage floor where the exhaust was.

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Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 AT 2:14 AM

RASMATAZ