Paula Posted January 31, 2012 Report Share Posted January 31, 2012 Hi all,My GTi is running a bit rich, is that just the nature of the car or is their something wrong with it? I checked it last night and it literally had next to no oil in it, so it was straight away filled and its running a lot better but I thought it would be why it was running rich? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted January 31, 2012 Report Share Posted January 31, 2012 You checked for any leaks actually around the engine amigo? What mileage has the gti done? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooper_GTI Posted January 31, 2012 Report Share Posted January 31, 2012 When you say 'running rich', i assume you're referring to the air/fuel ratio?If so, what makes you say it's running rich. The reason for asking is becase i want to confirm that you know rich/lean mixture has nothing to do with oil...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paula Posted January 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2012 Looked at it last night and their is no leaks that I can see. I also got it checked back in June whenever I got it and it was looked at not so long ago getting work done to it. My car has done near 96k and it was serviced at 93k back last February and the last service it had the timing belt changed.My boyfriend has told me that it is probably just the nature of the car and the way the exhaust is but I really wanted to check with fellow GTi owners to see if your cars do it as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paula Posted January 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2012 When you say 'running rich', i assume you're referring to the air/fuel ratio?If so, what makes you say it's running rich. The reason for asking is becase i want to confirm that you know rich/lean mixture has nothing to do with oil...?Sorry for my lack of knowledge Cooper Whenever I'm in traffic just appears to be alot of smoke coming out of my exhaust, my old lupo did this a bit as well but not as much as my GTi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thissy Posted January 31, 2012 Report Share Posted January 31, 2012 Its burning that much oil you have a problem.. Usual causes are:Valve guide wear/stem sealsPiston RingsBoth of which are cheap to rectify (parts), unfortunately labour will be expensive if you dont have the knowledge to do so yourself.Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted January 31, 2012 Report Share Posted January 31, 2012 I used to cringe at the exhaust fumes from my car till I realised it was only because of the positioning of the exhaust that makes it seems worse than it is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paula Posted January 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2012 Thanks all for the comments, appreciate it! Going to get booked in for a service and get it looked at throughouly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooper_GTI Posted January 31, 2012 Report Share Posted January 31, 2012 I assume that the smoke coming out the exhaust is clear. My GTI does it and it is indeed down to the exhaust design. The upward swept (rain catcher) exhaust tips are open to the elements and rain water gets down them and sits in the backbox. As the exhaust gets hot the water condenses and turns to vapour (steam), which is what you see coming out the back. That is nothing to worry about and is completely normal.However, if the smoke you are seeing is black or dark in colour, then it's most likely oil that is being burnt as a result of worn piston rings or valve stem seals. This would also explain the excessive oil consumption.Although, you've got to expect it to burn a bit of oil. I've found that my oil level sits at 3/4 on the dipstick. No matter how often i fill it, it always ends up on 3/4 and between services it sits between 1/2 and 3/4. I do give mine a pretty hard time though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paula Posted January 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2012 Yeah it is clear! Thanks for taking the time to explain to me Cooper lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treblet Posted January 31, 2012 Report Share Posted January 31, 2012 If the "smoke" is white then you don't have much to worry about, it'll either be steam from caught rainwater being boiled off in the exhaust or just normal exhaust gases.I'd only worry if you're using a lot of oil and the smoke turns a blue/black colour, that suggests you're burning oil or running rich. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted January 31, 2012 Report Share Posted January 31, 2012 If you're burning oil, give it some beans on start up and watch the cloud behind you ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treblet Posted January 31, 2012 Report Share Posted January 31, 2012 If you're burning oil, give it some beans on start up and watch the cloud behind you !And then panic about how much you've just burned off and fill it back up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted January 31, 2012 Report Share Posted January 31, 2012 Jamie, if it burns THAT much then just admit defeat, do a few oil changes for your mates and keep the stuff you take out. . . . .Then change your engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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