First post... and some help?

golfaholic · 31-10-2006, 04:04 PM

Hi everyone. I just signed up, because I was reading through some of the forums and you guys sound like you know what you're talking about =) plus you seem to love VWs which is awesome.

Anyway, I was wondering if you guys have some tips for me. I bought a Golf '96 CL (my second car, after owning an AUDI 90) around a year ago and it had been running fairly well for that time. But recently I get a lot of smoke when I start the engine (especially first thing in the morning, or when I havn't driven it for a while). I don't know much about cars, but I would love to learn what might be causing this. I really love this car, and I would hate to sell it. I'd rather put in the time and fix it; if not myself, possibly a mechanic.

I was also wondering if you had some general tips for me for maintaining the car. Some more details: its a manual and has done around 160k. Thankyou so much. I look forward to participating in the forums as I learn more and more about VWs.

brackie · 31-10-2006, 04:22 PM

G'day and welcome! Yes.. we are enthusiasts or we wouldn't be here

It's a bit difficult to diagnose faults by remote control. It would be good if you could tell us the colour of the smoke, how it smells and for how long it lasts.

Stick around! You'll learn heaps !

golfaholic · 31-10-2006, 04:37 PM

Gday! quick reply

I was just going through some of the other threads. The smoke is grey-ish (?) I'm guessing its burning oil. Just not sure how that happens, and what might cause it? Also just discovered the answers to some of the mysteries that had captivated me about my golf... such as why there weren't any back speakers. Ah... i love this place.

**DubSteve** · 31-10-2006, 04:49 PM

G'day mate looks like you have a bit of a problem on your hands. Could be burning oil not sure. But isn't burning oil black? :S

golfaholic · 31-10-2006, 06:00 PM

I've always heard people referring to it as "blue smoke" but I never understood why. Its certainly not blue... but it doesn't smell nice. If I push it too hard, I will even get smoke coming around the steering column (is that what its called?) into the car.

**gtimk5** · 31-10-2006, 06:45 PM

Welcome to the forum golfaholic!

Does it use any oil or brake fluid? Coolant? It is a bit hard to see it from here but the smoke coming into the cabin sounds odd. Any oil leaks at all?
I hope you enjoy the forum and that we can help you track down this problem. We mainly are a friendly bunch here and help out each other as much as we can! Cheers, Andrew

brackie · 31-10-2006, 07:24 PM

Andrew could be onto something. If it smrlls foul, is only present on startup and is grey in colour, you could have a brake fluid leak onto the manifold, into the manifold via the booster, or onto the exhaust. Check your brake fluid reservoir.

**golf3** · 31-10-2006, 07:38 PM

Yeah, brake fluid isn't a totally dumb idea...

The exhaust downpipe is in a different position when properly hooked up, closer to the reservoir...

That is my old steering column boot, which you can kinda see a hole that was created via the hot hot downpipe...

**Golf Loon** · 31-10-2006, 07:46 PM

Does smoke come out of the exhaust when you start the car?
Does it run rough when cold?
Does it improve when it is warm?
Is it using any water?
Does the temp light flash?

Welcome to our forum and congrats on your Mk3 mate.
They are a very solid car.