MY13 Polo GTI smoking and lacking power

**Shortstuff** · 16-01-2016, 08:48 PM

Hey guys, I noticed today that my girlfriend's MY13 6R GTI is smoking noticeably at idle and on acceleration.

When I jumped in it to have a drive it also seems well down on power.
The smoke isn't bad enough that you can see it while you're driving, but it is very noticeable when following the car.

I know they're renowned for high oil consumption, but has anyone else had smoking issues?

The car is stock and has only done 27000km.

**Raiden337** · 16-01-2016, 08:50 PM

Sounds like a seal(gasket) has failed. Smoke would be oil entering the combustion chamber and the power drop would the the compression drop due to the failure.

Get it to a mechanic pronto, they'll be able to diagnose fairly quickly by watching its behaviour on idle.

**Raiden337** · 16-01-2016, 08:52 PM

Nice k's By the way, I've owned my MY16 for a matter of months and already have 7000k on her.

**Shortstuff** · 16-01-2016, 08:55 PM

Luckily it was sold in December 2013 so we've still got warranty on it.

Thanks! We bought it last year with only 14000km on it and my girlfriend doesn't do a lot of ks. I got my Golf GTI in October and I'm almost at 10000km already!

**Rubbadub** · 16-01-2016, 11:25 PM

Is it black smoke, by any chance? These engines tend to produce a black soot (carbon, I believe). The inside of the exhaust pipes are probably black with it.

**alexaescht** · 17-01-2016, 07:13 AM

Originally Posted by Raiden337

Sounds like a seal(gasket) has failed. Smoke would be oil entering the combustion chamber and the power drop would the the compression drop due to the failure.

Get it to a mechanic pronto, they'll be able to diagnose fairly quickly by watching its behaviour on idle.

Don't jump straight to the conclusion of a failed head gasket. Smoke can be caused by several factors - overfuelling, bad spark plugs, failed sensors, oil leaking past seals (piston rings) etc.

If the smoke is black, it is a fuel-related issue (too much fuel, not being burnt properly etc.).
If the smoke is blue, it's burning oil.
If the smoke is white, it's 'burning' coolant.

**Raiden337** · 17-01-2016, 07:16 AM

Yeah I was also thinking piston rings, the combination of power loss and smoke make it an easy next step.

Regardless, you need to get it to a mechanic to find out. All we can do is throw possibilities out there.

**alexaescht** · 17-01-2016, 07:18 AM

Originally Posted by Raiden337

Regardless, you need to get it to a mechanic to find out. All we can do is throw possibilities out there.

Absolutely.

**Shortstuff** · 17-01-2016, 10:04 AM

It's a blue/grey smoke so I'm fairly confident its oil. It started happening pretty suddenly too.

Thanks for the ideas guys. I'm going to get it booked in this coming week but didn't want to go in with nothing as the dealership we had been going to always comes back with 'no fault found' for warranty issues.

I might pull the spark plugs out today and see if there's one dirtier / cleaner than the rest. I'll also see if I can scrounge a compression tester to check that.

**LukePolo** · 18-01-2016, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by Shortstuff

It's a blue/grey smoke so I'm fairly confident its oil. It started happening pretty suddenly too.

Thanks for the ideas guys. I'm going to get it booked in this coming week but didn't want to go in with nothing as the dealership we had been going to always comes back with 'no fault found' for warranty issues.

I might pull the spark plugs out today and see if there's one dirtier / cleaner than the rest. I'll also see if I can scrounge a compression tester to check that.

Good idea to get it scanned with VCDS before you head in too, the more ammunition the better, right?