Mk1 FR TDI - Smoke on start-up

[BenG]

OK, posted this in the diesel section but not much activity there at the moment...

My FR TDI (ARL / 150hp 1.9 motor) sometimes (not always) puffs out some whitish smoke and runs a little rough for a couple of seconds after a cold start.

Car always starts quickly when cold and doesn't smoke if started again later the same day.

A friend had the same issue with his Golf Mk 4, and reckons he was told it was the valve stem seals allowing oil into the cylinders. His car had done over 90k miles though, mine has 62k (and full service history) so would not expect the seals to be knackered yet!

Anyone else had the same issue?

Could it be dribbling injector/s allowing fuel into one or more cylinders? Or valve stem seals, or leaking injector seals (could these allow oil into the cylinders?), or something else?

Cheers,

Ben

 

[BigJase88]

Change the glow plugs!

Should fix it

 

[Brettyboy]

Sounds like glow plugs

Mine dose it on really cold mornings,you can test it by turning ignition on/off a few times before starting

 

[cleverspoon]

Mine sounds a lil rough for a few secs on very cold starts, what diesels dont? Unless its smoking a lot all the time and your loosing oil etc i wouldnt worry. Im on same mileage with full service history.

 

[Tessitura]

Same here, few puffs of smoke on startup, and its abit chuggy for the 1st few moments, i give it a rev and it settles down.

120k, full service history. PD150 ARL

 

[BigJase88]

Sounds like all you's lot need 4 new glow plugs!

Mines is the same im just too lazy and tight to buy 4!

 

[BenG]

Don't mind buying new plugs, but are they actually doing anything at the current temperatures (up here at least) of 7-10°C?

ISTR there's a maximum temperature above which they don't operate. Anyone know it?

I could maybe rule out glow plugs as a factor that way...

Cheers,

Ben

 

[BigJase88]

Mines is worse on colder mornings!

I think they work whatever the temp tbh!

My work van wouldnt start today for yonks as i never pre-heated the plugs (old diesels) and today it was 12 degrees in the sun

 

[Tessitura]

A higher amp battery speeds up the heating process too iirc.


On topic, does anyone have preference to which plugs they use?? Or do you just go Halfrauds and buy Bosch