White smoke question? - Troubleshooting - VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source.

• White smoke question? by Mohave_steve on 13 Jun, 2008 08:27
• 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
• #1 by jtanguay on 13 Jun, 2008 09:25
• 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:)
• #2 by theman53 on 13 Jun, 2008 13:08
• 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.
• #3 by Mohave_steve on 13 Jun, 2008 15:52
• 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
• #4 by Possum79 on 13 Jun, 2008 23:00
• 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.
• #5 by veedubcanuck on 14 Jun, 2008 07:01
• 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.