MK2 GTD 1989 Dipstick prob and rubbish idle/drive?

[Demons UK]

Hey guys,

I've got a 1998 MK2 Golf GTD 1.6

http://forum.performancevwmag.com/viewtopic.php?t=39886

Its standard in the engine apart from a k&n filter + Straight through exhaust and body work changes [see link above]

Laterly its been having problems...

The dipstick broke, its come all the way out now and its loosing alot of oil because of this, i've zip tied it as tight as it'll go for now, but its still leaking a lil. Silcone it in you reckon?

Also it isn't driving right, when i start it up its smoke alot of blue/white, until warm and then it smokes alot black when gunning it, infact atm when just driving in low rev high gears?

It seems to loose boost almost when accelerating? and it doesnt idle properly, it idles and then jumps and and idles again, until you give gas and its fine in higher revs?

I think it might be over-fueling? or do you think headgasket/cracked head?

any idea's guys.

[Quantum TD]

Sounds like it could be one of many things.

The blue smoke is normal at start-up, but the white is not. It should blow blue smoke for just a second, and then clear up at idle. Or, if you have a cold-start lever (and you should) then it should not blow much blue smoke.

White smoke generally means blown head gasket (see below).

The oil coming out of the dipstick is dieseling. It means that you have excessive blow-by, OR, your PCV valve is clogged. Have you ever changed it?

I'm not terribly familiar with the GTD. I assume it's just a standard 1.6 TD with an intercooler and a bigger turbo. Either way, it should have a PCV valve, which routes engine blow-by into the intake (i.e. turbo). Pull the tube that leads from the PCV to the intake boot and see if you can feel the air pressure from the crankcase coming thru. The results listed below will tell you what is wrong:

1) If there is no air pressure coming thru, then the PCV valve is clogged and is forcing the air out of the dipstick. I just discovered this trick on my 1991 Jetta 1.6 TD. This could also affect running. If you're getting too much vacuum or not enough, then the boost aneroid on the top of the injection pump could be making the fuel ration too rich/lean. Check the line to the boost aneroid and make sure that it's free of debris and uncracked.

2) If, when you pull the PCV tube off, and you see plumes of white smoke come out, assume you've got a blown head gasket.

3) If there is no white smoke, but LOTS of air and oil being spat thru, then your rings are bad, thereby causing excessive blow-by, which in turns blows oil out of the dipstick tube, and INTO the turbo. This oil in the turbo could also explain the poor running and the black smoke.

Another possibility is that your turbo is bad. If there is not enough air getting into the motor to combust the fuel, you will get black smoke at low RPMS. So, you may also want to check your turbo for shaft play and confirm that the impeller and exhaust turbine are spining sumultaneously.

If the car has low miles, then the problem is probably the PCV, or a blown head gasket, so be sure to check for coolant loss, or oil in the coolant overflow tank.

[Demons UK]

Wheres the PCV vavle on the GTD?

Sorry never heard of it before, sounds like it might be the issue..

The engine isn't overheating and has had its head skimmed and a new head gasket on sometime in its life so.

[burn_your_money]

If the dipstick is leaking at the base where it enters the block you probably don't have a CCV system problem. Just remove it, clean it and silicon it in place. If it is blowing out the top of the dipstick then I'd suspect CCV system issues.

If you remove the oil filler cap and it's blowing white smoke I'd suspect bad rings.

White smoke at start up in my experience indicates an incorrectly timed engine.

Incorrect timing will also yeild black smoke when gunning it.

As for the irratic idle I'd suspect air in the fuel lines, have a look at the clear fuel line and see if there are bubbles in it.

Do you have a boost gauge?

[Demons UK]

Thanks for the help so far guys,

No, i dont have a boost gauge, don't know how/where to fit one.

I think the pump needs setting up correctly..

It doesn't smoke when warmed, well blue/white anyways.

Theres no evidence of head gasket probs...

The dipstick leaks at the base.

I've taken all the inductions bits off and can't see anything unusal. Duno what to look for tbh.

Its not so much of an irratic idle, it seems to jump when on boost, not lots but enough to feel it liek its being held back?