Author Topic: White smoke question? (Read 4805 times)

Mohave_steve · « **on:** June 13, 2008, 08:27:08 am »

Hello All,

I have been looking for a reasonably priced VW diesel in my area without much luck. I had hoped to find a good runner at a decent price and my best bet so far is an ad for an '85 Quantum that says:

"I heard a pop and the wind shield was blocked by a thick white cloud of smoke. I immediately pulled over and shut it down. I have only done a quick inspection of the engine compartment, but it looks like the head gasket blew oil on the exhaust. So it will need a new head gasket."

I can turn a wrench and have changed head gaskets on gas engines but have never worked on a diesel.

Questions: Do you think the diagnosis is reasonable? If so, is the job of replacing the head gasket much more difficult than on a gasser?

Thanks

Steve

jtanguay · « **Reply #1 on:** June 13, 2008, 09:25:20 am »

its probably coolant, oil, or a mixture of both... its good that he shut it off immediately.

it's always a risk buying a car like that. and there isn't really any recourse for you if the problem is more severe

except to shell out more money of course

get the bentley manual, and follow the torquing sequence for the bolts, and do NOT re-use the old ones. either buy new or get head studs if you want (head studs can be re-used, but are much more expensive... all depends on how often you think you might pull the head :wink:)

theman53 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 13, 2008, 01:08:26 pm »

the timing belt has to be perfect. The cam, Injection pump, and crank have to be in sync, and then it doesn' hurt to time the IP to .90 through 1.00mm if it is an NA diesel and up to 1.05 for a turbo. you have to have a dial indicator to do so, but other than that if you put it together the way they are supposed to be they run pretty good...if the block and all that is ok.

Mohave_steve · « **Reply #3 on:** June 13, 2008, 03:52:07 pm »

Thank you for your replies,

Does it sound likely that (based on the symptoms) the head gasket is the problem?

Is this a common failure on these engines?

Thanks

Steve

Possum79 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 13, 2008, 11:00:57 pm »

To me that sounds a little funny. Wouldnt that have to be a butt load of oil being burned to smoke out that way. I have oil on my intake and exhaust and it doesnt burn like that. (My breather hose is F-ed). Wouldn't that oil have to burn off quickly to block the windshield, and a lot of it. If he has an exageration on how much smoke maybe, but if it was real bad i would be scared.

veedubcanuck · « **Reply #5 on:** June 14, 2008, 07:01:37 am »

Sounds like it blew a hose or rad more than anything from the description. That could have been caused by leaking head gasket which over pressurized the cooling system.