Smoke at startup from cold

[muddyboots]

What is the most likely cause of smoke for the first few seconds after starting from cold ?

Noticed it on the Passat, I know it's done 90k so I don't expect it to be perfect - just wondered what the cause could be.

Maybe less-than-effective glowplugs, or mucky/worn injectors ?

It doesn't seem to smoke at full throttle and certainly seems pokey enough so I doubt there's anything seriously wrong.

 

[Vicky M]

Does it have glow plugs??

My HDi (no glow plugs) pug has done 114k, doesn't smoke until you give it a real heavy bootful in 5th, then it trails black smoke.

 

[cheshire cat]

valve stem oil seals? or an intercooler full of oil?

 

[micky 32]

some diesels do it more than others, sometimes mine lets a nice puff off in the mornings and other times it doesnt, could be to do with the quality of diesel in the tank etc.

 

[muddyboots]

Yeah it's definitely sooty diesel smoke, not oil burning.
The Ibiza would puff a tiny bit out on startup, not much though even at 79k miles. The Passat's on 90k miles and noticeably worse. Maybe I just need to run some decent fuel and cleaner through to clean the injectors a bit.

 

[craig-pd130]

Mine does it to varying degrees according to temperature, and how recently I gave it a good caning

 

[mrcoyote]

Stupid question I know, but it's not steam is it? Obviously with it being cold there's going to be condensation in the exhaust system?

 

[sssstew]

wouldnt have thought it would be steam, its the initial puff i think and the exhaust wouldnt have got up to any decent temp that early.

I would say its a puff of overfueling which the ECU has allowed in for starting.

 

[sssstew]

Does it have glow plugs??

My HDi (no glow plugs) pug has done 114k, doesn't smoke until you give it a real heavy bootful in 5th, then it trails black smoke.

your hdi will have glow plus, just it wont use them really for starting unless its very cold, modern diesels with direct injection need glow plugs less.

 

[prc]

it's usually down to overfueling as mentioned by Stew. Mine will puff whitish smoke on extremely cold days ( 0ºC). It tends to get worse with age...

Just think of a diesel train on startup ----Puff cloud of smoke..

All diesels have glow plugs, they just heat quicker and are less needed. There are many cars that start heating on drivers door opening instead of ignition on (so you won't see the glow plug light).

 

[muddyboots]

Just think of a diesel train on startup ----Puff cloud of smoke..

It's more of a diesel ship than a train, well I feel seasick at times anyway