Smoking On Start Up

star_whites · 28 April 2007, 00:28:46

I have a 1998 2.0 Auto Estate, recently I have noticed that she is smoking slightly on start up along with a little tappet noise. Now Ive carried out a full service and changed the oil to Castrol Magnetec 15/40 as recommended by my vaux dealer, however when I changed the plugs (1st time since purchase - 8000 miles) I noticed that one of the leads was slightly damaged (tapped up with electrical tape) and Im not sure if this is contributing towards the smoking as it smells more like burnt petrol than burnt oil. Also the smell wears off within a few hundred yards as the engine warms up slightly.

Is it possible that this is caused by the damaged lead or do you think that this is possibly down to her age and the fact shes covered 100,003 miles.

Kevin Wood · 28 April 2007, 00:32:53

Unless there's a noticeable misfire I would have thought the plug lead is not the problem, although it'd be worth changing it in case it catches you out sometime.

Smoking only on startup is ususally oil seeping down past the valve stem oil seals. A little collects in the cylinders when it's parked up and it burns off when started.

Not really worth worrying about unless it gets excessive IMO.

Kevin

Markjay · 28 April 2007, 00:35:00

Quote...Smoking only on startup is ususally oil seeping down past the valve stem oil seals. A little collects in the cylinders when it's parked up and it burns off when started...

Indeed.... is it white smoke?

TheBoy · 28 April 2007, 00:35:02

I recommend Vauxhall's own semi synth 10/40 oil. Dirt cheap on trade club as well

Don't worry about the mileage, just nicely run in

Not sure on the smoking - the ecotec engines do produce a lot of condensation out of exhaust, is it more than that?

When warm, is it OK?

Ticking/tappet when cold may be exhaust manifold gasket...

star_whites · 28 April 2007, 00:35:49

Well thats what I would have said, however its def not blue smoke and Im not using oil which makes me think that its fuel burning. It also appears that the tappign gets louder when accelerating after cold start up but like I say it quietens down after a short distance which again posints me towards the lead and shorting??

Markjay · 28 April 2007, 00:36:43

Markjay: Reply #2 - 28.04.2007 at 00:35:00
TheBoy: Reply #3 - 28.04.2007 at 00:35:02

...yesssss! 8-)

TheBoy · 28 April 2007, 00:39:21

QuoteMarkjay: Reply #2 - 28.04.2007 at 00:35:00
TheBoy: Reply #3 - 28.04.2007 at 00:35:02

...yesssss! 8-)

I'm tired and can't type very fast whilst laying in the bath drunk...

Kevin Wood · 28 April 2007, 00:42:22

Does it start easily without a misfire, particularly when hot?

Fuel smell could be a leaking injector dumping a bit of extra fuel into one of the intakes. This might smoke a bit as the catalytic converter warms up and burns it off.

Depends if the smoke is white, black, grey or blue.

A teaspoon of oil will generate a lot of smoke on startup so you wouldn't necessarily notice the oil consumption.

Kevin

Markjay · 28 April 2007, 00:43:08

Quote
QuoteMarkjay: Reply #2 - 28.04.2007 at 00:35:00
TheBoy: Reply #3 - 28.04.2007 at 00:35:02

...yesssss! 8-)
I'm tired and can't type very fast whilst laying in the bath drunk...

Those two seconds are mine and you can't take that away from me...

TheBoy · 28 April 2007, 00:45:18

Quote
Quote
QuoteMarkjay: Reply #2 - 28.04.2007 at 00:35:00
TheBoy: Reply #3 - 28.04.2007 at 00:35:02

...yesssss! 8-)
I'm tired and can't type very fast whilst laying in the bath drunk...

Those two seconds are mine and you can't take that away from me...

No, but I could take some posts away from you....

star_whites · 28 April 2007, 00:49:39

No it doesnt missfire at all, infact it runs great when at operating temp. The smoke I should say is white/grey and only does it when cold. If I drive her during the day then there is no problem, its only when left overnight.

Ive also had issues over the last couple of weeks with her stalling whilst slowing at junctions but I think that was down to some bad fuel I got from an Asda store and I havent filled up since, however im changing the filter in the morning and adding a dose of fuel cleaner to sort that out.

TheBoy · 28 April 2007, 01:00:49

QuoteNo it doesnt missfire at all, infact it runs great when at operating temp. The smoke I should say is white/grey and only does it when cold. If I drive her during the day then there is no problem, its only when left overnight.

Ive also had issues over the last couple of weeks with her stalling whilst slowing at junctions but I think that was down to some bad fuel I got from an Asda store and I havent filled up since, however im changing the filter in the morning and adding a dose of fuel cleaner to sort that out.

Also check for air leaks, and clean up icv

star_whites · 28 April 2007, 01:14:44

Ok Thanks, will let you know how I get on.

Auto Addict · 28 April 2007, 06:04:18

Quote
QuoteNo it doesnt missfire at all, infact it runs great when at operating temp. The smoke I should say is white/grey and only does it when cold. If I drive her during the day then there is no problem, its only when left overnight.

Ive also had issues over the last couple of weeks with her stalling whilst slowing at junctions but I think that was down to some bad fuel I got from an Asda store and I havent filled up since, however im changing the filter in the morning and adding a dose of fuel cleaner to sort that out.
Also check for air leaks, and clean up icv

...and the breathers.

Marks DTM Calib · 28 April 2007, 07:26:01

Do consider that the air injection system should operate for a minute or so on start-up....

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Smoking On Start Up