Vw t5 1.9l tdi transporter. Blue smoke sometimes from exhaust.

[daniel8810]

Hey All,

Just doing some research.

2005 VW T5 1.9L TDI Transporter.

260 000km.

Sometimes blowing blue smoke. When taking off on cold start.

I've got the workshop manual but wondering if anyone has has had this? I'm thinking...


1)Worn diesel injectors.
2)Worn diesel injector pump/vacuum pump.
3)High engine oil level.
4)Worn piston rings.

*I'll need to check if i've got engine oil in the fuel filter.

*Have not checked for any codes and the engine light is not on.

[LogicprObe]

That's not many kms for a diesel but it does have some years on it.
If it was a T4 petrol...........I'd say straight away it's the valve stem seals!
But alas, I can't help you there Dan.

[daniel8810]

ah i see.

I dont want to go replacing things that dont need to be replaced.

either injector O rings/washers or injector pump (internal o rings worn)

[Sunny43.5]

As Logicprobe said not many kays for a Diesel , most diesels should see 400000 plus kays before any major work would be needed , I got a rough price to rebuild my sons T4 2.5 non turbo diesel engine due to lack of power but the diesel blokes said it was easy to spend 12K on a rebuild so we didn,t bother . What I did do was buy a whole T4 off Ebay with a 2.5 petrol engine for $3600 , I transplanted the whole engine gearbox electrics/ fuel system and computer with dash and he ended up with a great van with loads of power . I then fitted the diesel engine etc , into the Ebay van did some minor touchups and general tidy and put on back on Ebay and surprise it sold for $5000 !!!

[daniel8810]

Think we are getting a bit off topic here.


The engine is fine, I just want to know why it’s blowing blue smoke sometimes.

If fuel is leaking into the sump and being sucked up with oil because it’s thinner and being drawn past the piston rings it’ll burn oil.

So injector o rings/seals or tandem pump unit as it has seals.


Has anyone got anymore info ?

It can’t be valve seals as it’s not really on acceleration .


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[stickshift3000]

My 2006 2.0 TDI (BKD engine) used to act very similar to how you describe, blue smoke only at cold start up. I never got it looked at as I didn't see it being a major issue.

There could be any number of reasons why, such as oil in the intake system (tended to pool at the bottom of my intercooler) etc. I imagine this issue could affect any models that use the 1.9 & 2.0 diesel engines, and is not specific to the Transporter; further internet searching may turn up some info.

[daniel8810]

intercooler pooling can be from PCV as the air is oily coming out of the crankcase.

ok but was your engine a PD diesel? not a common rail TDI?

its only slightly blue smokey at startup now.

-injector o rings letting fuel leak into the sump.

-or vac/fuel pump internal o rings/seals letting fuel leak into the sump.

ALSO- over night hard to start. so definitely fuel issue for this matter.

[Stickshift]

intercooler pooling can be from PCV as the air is oily coming out of the crankcase.

ok but was your engine a PD diesel? not a common rail TDI?

Yes, it was likely from the PCV. The 2.0L BKD is a PD diesel.