Engine Rebuild

Hi all,

So I get a pretty large billow of oil smoke from my exhaust when I boot it in my 1.6 GTI (which I don't do very often!).

This, I'm assuming, means my piston rings have gone?

I was wondering firstly if my assumption is correct?

Secondly, I've got her booked in to have them replaced. I've been given an estimate of £1,400 to have the engine out, head rehoned, new rings, valve stem seals, bolts, gaskets and oil pump and filter. It doesn't include a re-bore and new pistons if they're needed (which I'm hoping they won't be!).

Do peeps think this sounds like a realistic quote? Is there anything I should be adding to that list? I'll add that I've had a new clutch within the past 12 months.

All replies gladly received - I'm a bit out of my comfort zone!

Muchas gracias!

First of all what colour is the smoke ? Blue is oil, black fuel.

It's pale blue and cloudy white and I'm topping up oil more often than I should have to, not got an oil leak either.

How many miles has the motor done? Sounds more than just rings and valve seals to me.

Just replacing the rings more often than not is a waste of time as its not just the rings that have worn but the bores will be worn in an oval shape as well. Putting round rings in an oval hole doesn't make much sense.

Also the grooves in the pistons wear where the rings sits. This causes the rings to move up and down within the groove on each change in direction of the piston. This causes the oil to hydraulic in the wear gap and make its way up to the combustion chamber.

Valve stem seals tend to only show signs of wear when you start up - not booting it. That's not saying they don't need doing though.

Really the garage need to measure all these areas with feelers and bore guages to make sure they are within the specified tolerance otherwise you will be wasting money and be disappointed when, after you've run it in, and give it first decent boot and you see blue smoke out the back again.

Hi Yomp,

Thanks for the post - the engine guy I'm using (firm called TrackTec in Roade) has said similar; I was just keen to make certain the diagnosis is correct. A friend of mine who follows me around a bit (not in a dodgy way!) says there's a small amount of blue smoke whenever it's accelerating hard, but doesn't always billow. In any case it'll all be measured and if necessary I'll get it re-bored and new pistons. I'd like to keep her as original as poss (she's a W reg GTI so not too many left) but getting the engine sound is most important. In any case I've got 1400 quid to throw at it immediately and will find more if I have to!

Glad to hear you won't be taking any short cuts.

I have the same problem. I bought the car 2 years ago and previous owner had a engine rebuild done by big boy toys which is now AMD tuning in 2007.

When I start the car its fine no smoke. Drive it for 20 mins on a dual carriage way not even booting it, then when you stop at the lights a whole load of smoke! Blue/White.

Took it to a engine shop and he is saying Piston rings and full engine rebuild. Can has had a 2.0 8V big bore engine in 2007 and hasn't even covered 15k.

Getting quotes of £1300.