2006 Seado GTI SE 4 TEC a lot of white smoke

[cindy524]

I bought this ski used a few months ago and the first time I took it out it smokes like crazy! Previous owner said he just changed the oil prior to the sale. I checked the dip stick and it barely had any oil on it. Had a mechanic take it - he told me the supercharger had bad ceramic seals. This model doesn’t have a supercharger - what could be wrong with this ski?

 

[mikidymac]

First it sounds like that mechanic is a hack.
Second you need to determine if the smoke is actually burning oil or coolant.

 

[cindy524]

First it sounds like that mechanic is a hack.
Second you need to determine if the smoke is actually burning oil or coolant.

I believe it is oil - coolant level is fine.

 

[greenhornet2]

you should be able to smell a strong smell of oil if it is burning that much oil to make a lot of smoke. oil smoke is typically more blueish in color than white. thick white smoke is usually water/coolant

 

[Greg Moore]

Agreed, white is usually coolant, will have almost a sweet smell to the smoke, oil more blueish and smells like buring oil. Also if buring oil, your plugs will usually be close to black and greasy, if coolant, your plugs will be nearly as clean as brand new ones, no tan colour. Note too that 1 tablespoon of coolant will completely fill a large room with smoke, it takes very little. If coolant, then head gasket or maybe a cracked block. If oil, usually bad rings which you can check intially with a compression test. Yes bad seals in an S/C will cause heavy oil burn and yes you're correct you don't have one

 

[cindy524]

My poor sick baby has an appointment with the doctor tomorrow morning at 10:00 am - I will let you know what the diagnosis is after.

 

[cindy524]

This is what the mechanic came back with and said would need to do an engine rebuild. Anyone have any other thoughts?

Your ski has 3 cylinders. Cylinder 1 has 175 psi. Spark plug burning white which is hot
Cylinder 2 has 165 psi
Spark plug burning white which is hot
Cylinder 3 has 145 psi
Spark plug is oil soaked which means it’s letting oil pass the piston and is burning oil from the engine.

The idea psi from the cylinders should be 180 psi. 175 and even 165 is tolerable. As long as they don’t burn oil.

Your ski will currently run but performance is going to lack and you will keep burning oil which will prevent the lower part of the engine from having proper oil. I would also be more then happy to speak to your brother or if he or you want, I can show you first hand.

 

[Greg Moore]

145 on one and 175 on one is not good for sure. Plugs burning white does not go hand in hand with the compression issue though. #3 at 145 could but normally wouldn't contribute to a huge amount of smoke though but you really need to be within 10-15 lbs on all cylinders, one being off that far isn't good. No 'for sure' way to say why it's like that without opening things up at which point you will be spending some serious coin. Could be scored, could be a head gasket issue, an intake or exhaust valve issue. As to why two plugs are burning way too hot, that's a lean condition caused by either low fuel pressure, faulty injectors (not common for 2 to be bad) or an intake air leak etc.

If he's telling the truth about the results, you do have issues yes, but the dots don't all connect.

 

[mikidymac]

I would check compression yourself. Buy or rent a gauge to verify his results.

 

[cindy524]

I would check compression yourself. Buy or rent a gauge to verify his results.

I trust the guy but you are right - I should verify.