Smoking 205 1.9 GTI

Yep, I'd look at the valve stem seals first, although I heard these were mainly a problem on the 405 rather than the 205.

Funny that the tester failed it because the smoke 'looked blue' - I didn't think you could be failed on the colour of your smoke?!?!? If it passed the emissions test, I thought that'd be it...

Hmmm...

Chris.

Does not valve stem seals a "frequent" failure on that engine ? Also, if not started for a long time, perhaps piston rings may simply be stuck.

François.

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It would have to be "excessive" and it pretty much puts the onus on the tester. I am an MOT tester and in the many years I have been doing it, I have failed a car once (VW Golf) on excessive smoke. It was really bad, and it ended up with a new engine. It was completely knackered.

90% of the time, on XU5 or XU9 engines it is the valve stem oil seals no matter what car it is fitted in. (205, 309, 405) They just go hard. The rest of the time it is also piston rings/bores.

If the smoking is worst after a longish period of idling it will be valve stem seals, in which case it should more or less clear after a while under load. If the smoking is worst while the engine is working fairly hard, it's rings.

One more thing, get your MOT done somewhere else.

Ron Robinson

Thanks for that... it is much worse after a few minutes idling and does clear fairly quickly. Sounds like the valve sten seals... In which case, how big a job is it??? is it something i could do myself, or do i need to get them replaced professionally... any idea of costs???

If its been sat for a while then its quite likely to be the valve stem seals. Quite common on these engines (both petrol and diesel variations). Basically you'd have to take the head off, replace them and put it all back together, so not something for a novice mechanic. You'd also do the head gasket and cambelt at the same time (which would add a bit more to the price). Of course, might be an idea to get a compression test done first. Then if it is the rings you may as well just get a new engine as they can be picked up fairly cheap.

You can do the stem seals without taking the head off if you have the tools - compressor and appropriate connection to screw into the spark hole to pressurise the cyl. Then you need to whip off the springs but I cant remember the tools for that - normal spring compressors require the head off but you can get them that grip the head instead, and the compressor holds the valve in place. Its best to reseat the valve anyway so get the head off. IMO a head recon is one of the easiest jobs i did on my 205.

J

My 309 GTi (1990) Same engine was sat in a damp garage for 2 years before I got hold of it, after an oil spark plug change, new HT leads, Rotor Arm, Dizzy Cap change and a little fresh fuel fill up, after 30 seconds of turning the engine over without the plugs in to clear any crap and rust out I replaced everything and it starded, first time really... took it for its MOT, failed on a couple of bits, nothing serious the Tester said it was a bit smoky, but still passed the emmisions test, so after replacing the worn parts, normal CV boots and stuff I put some injection cleaner in, took the car to a private road, used all the fuel in the tank, then put some more in and gave it a good old thrash for half an hour, result, no smoke. Took back to the Testing station and it passed. Wahey !