About 20 mins after starting up this morning, i ended up in slow traffic and suddenly heard a hissing noise and found lots of whitish smoke coming from under the bonnet. (Didn't really get to notice if it was blue or white.) I killed the engine and it stopped. I restarted and it came back almost immediately. Scary.

I was next to a petrol station, so pulled in and stopped.

Coolant levels looked ok, but oil was v v low.

So I topped up with what I could (1/2 litre of 0w30 fully synthetic) and restarted. The white smoke had stopped.

Now, I'm wondering if it was just the car being on v v low oil, and what oil there was being burned off as smoke, seeing as topping up seems to have cured it.

Does that sound right, or is there worse to come? I'm away from home with work at the mo, and don't wanna be stuck somewhere with a broken car!

i'd get it to a garage ASAP , for an oil and filter change at least

you really need the correct oil in the engine for a start off, 5w40 PD oil , 505.01 VW spec

Yeah, i know - i had v little option, as the bottle of oil in the car (from the guy who sold it to me was VW 500 for petrol engines, and i didn't want to shove that in at least. Skoda support people (via RAC) said 5w30 or 0w30 would do.)

Will get it in for an oil change on Weds or Thurs, depending on when i can get back home.

Reckon the low level was a cause of the smoke, or are some serious bills coming my way? Just drove it about 3 miles to my B&B and it seemed fine - no smoke at all. Perhaps a little rattle/grinding, but that could just be my paranoia now!

Cheers

S

Did it smell? Its hard to mistake the smell of burning oil.

I don't have a great sense of smell, but i really don't recall it smelling like burning oil, thankfully The hiss made me think of steam, so am hoping it was just temporary overheating while the oil had basically 'run out'.

No sign of a leak, but just bad timing regarding remembering to top up and check levels more frequently. two weeks ago it was 1/4 of the ok zone on the dipstick and i meant to top it up the next day when i'd got the right oil.

Hopefully it's lesson learned, rather than more schooling to come!

Hope it ain't the head...

so do i!!!

Keep your eye on it. PD130s have been reknowned for consuming oil on a steady basis, although mine seems oddly to like keeping the oil in the sump.

Cheers. Oddly, mine has been pretty undemanding in terms of oil over the last two years i've owned it - only since last service is it a bit thirsty for oil. Wonder if they put the sump plug back in ok. Have looked and no sign of oil drips...

Keep your eye on it. PD130s have been reknowned for consuming oil on a steady basis, although mine seems oddly to like keeping the oil in the sump.

I've noticed that in the past. I've been fully expecting to have to keep toping it up but now almost 20k in and nothing's needed adding!

Is your air con working?

Mine uses about a litre per 10k, has done since new really.

Mine uses about a litre per 10k, has done since new really.

Mine too, which reminds me...

Mine too, which reminds me...

Yes, haven't checked it recently.....

Is your air con working?

I'd take the above advice and hope he's right! The low oil level was hopefully just coincidence.