UKPOC forums

My 1997 16V has what appears to be a serious issue, excessive white smoke from exhaust and misfiring , mechanic ( used to working on newer cars ) has removed plugs which were wet with fuel and he is telling me there is fuel on top of pistons . car is not burning oil ,it had an oil change and filter a couple months ago . It has had a pressure test done and all was ok with that . Any pointers as to what to look at please ?

Thanks
Budz

Do you have excessive fuel on top of all of the pistons, or just one? Do you know if you are getting a spark at every plug? Are you loosing any water?

Check radiator coolant level.
Fill up when cold.
Leave cap off , get someone to start engine while you look for lots of bubbles coming out of the water.
If so , head gasket gone.

Head Gasket checks been done at garage and all ok , 2 plugs and top of 2 pistons wet with fuel ..

Budz59 wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 01, 2024 9:06 pm

Head Gasket checks been done at garage and all ok , 2 plugs and top of 2 pistons wet with fuel ..

And sparks, are the pots that have fuel in them sparking?

Still spark at the 2 ports mentioned , no coolant loss , not burning oil … starts but is rough and misfires

You may find that the plug leads need replacing, as they might be breaking down under load. Sometimes you have to start with the basics.

Do you know if the white "smoke" is a water vapour or Oil smoke?

For what little effort it will take , you do the bubble /start up check.
Just to be sure.

try one of these, if it hasn't already been done?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284004648824 ... UKyPy66OZA

check the catalytic converter, I remember somebody have a lot of white smoke and no running good and when we check the cat was solid.
just a thought