Hello,

I've recently bought an 03 octavia 1.9 sdi.

I can constantly smell what seems like burnt oil when in the car. I left the car running to warm up yesterday morning and when I turned the blower on in the hot position I could see smoke coming from the screen vent.I turned to face the rear window and because the sun was shining through the rear window I could see the car was full of it. (not good!)

I've taken the engine cover off to investigate and discovered the vent pipe from the rocker cover to the inlet manifold had a small split. there does appear to be a leak which is dripping on to the exhaust manifold, but it doesn't appear to be enough to create the amount of smoke I'm getting?

Could anyone advise on where the cabin air intake is and if there could be another likely source for the smoke please? It's worrying to the point that I don't want to drive it any more.

Both front foot wells and the rear passenger side are wet as well? The car is a basic model without air con. Is it possible the smoke could be related to the damp? I haven't had the car long enough to notice any loss in coolant so it could just be leaky door seals or maybe a leak from the bulk head?

Can anyone advise on where to get a new vent pipe from (genuine skoda I guess) or where I might find a decent parts catalogue to identify part numbers?

Sorry for all the questions. :S

Thank in advance.

Mark

UPDATE:

I've checked for blocked drain holes, fixed the oil leaks and jet washed the engine off.

Still got the smoke! :S

Actually I think It's water related now! Just taken the pollen filter out and what looks like smoke is coming out from the blower box! So it looks like it's steam not smoke.

Are there any good guides or advice on how to get to the heater core/matrix to check for leaks and possibly replace?

Thanks again for your help.

Edited 3 February, 201115 yr by markee123

Start with the breather hose(s); it's entirely possible that they're the source of the smoke.

Do the footwells smell of antifreeze or just "wet car"?

One drop of oil (or brake fluid) on a hot exhaust makes a lot of smoke.

If it isn't that, the next thing to do is drop out the blower motor and check for leaves, etc. If the pollen filter is fitted correctly, this situation shouldn't arise. The filter is under the plenum covers.

Start with the breather hose(s); it's entirely possible that they're the source of the smoke.

Do the footwells smell of antifreeze or just "wet car"?

Thanks for the reply.

Going to order a new breather hose/unit tomorrow. looks like it's genuine only part.

I've rubbed my hands on the floors and they are very wet, but it's not too sweet - just got a stale damp odour.

Start with the breather hose(s); it's entirely possible that they're the source of the smoke.

Do the footwells smell of antifreeze or just "wet car"?

Thanks for the reply.

Going to order a new breather hose/unit tomorrow. looks like it's genuine only part.

I've rubbed my hands on the floors and they are very wet, but it's not too sweet - just got a stale damp odour.

One drop of oil (or brake fluid) on a hot exhaust makes a lot of smoke.

If it isn't that, the next thing to do is drop out the blower motor and check for leaves, etc. If the pollen filter is fitted correctly, this situation shouldn't arise. The filter is under the plenum covers.

Thanks for replying,

I'll check for leaves tomorrow - never thought to look there.

Does anyone know if I can get parts like the breather hose/unit online?

Thanks.

Are you loosing any coolant at all?

Are you loosing any coolant at all?

Hi, It doesn't seem to be, but I've only had the car for a few days. I'll keep a close I on it.

Hi, It doesn't seem to be, but I've only had the car for a few days. I'll keep a close I on it.

I've checked for blocked drain holes, fixed the oil leaks and jet washed the engine off.

Still got the smoke! :S

Actually I think It's water related now! Just taken the pollen filter out and what looks like smoke is coming out from the blower box! So it looks like it's steam not smoke.

Are there any good guides or advice on how to get to the heater core/matrix to check for leaks and possibly replace?

Thanks again for your help.

If you are going to do you own servicing and repairs, you really need to get a Haynes workshop manual. It is not fantastic, but it will show you how to drop the motor out or how to remove the heater matrix.

If you are going to do you own servicing and repairs, you really need to get a Haynes workshop manual. It is not fantastic, but it will show you how to drop the motor out or how to remove the heater matrix.

Definitely on my 'to do list' Funnily enough I've always had Haynes manuals with all previous cars - this is the first time I've not.

Only asked about possible guides as I've found them more useful than Haynes manuals on previous repairs.

Cheers.

I had exactly the same symptoms and tried all the same things to fix it. It actually turned out to be a worn and sloppy expansion joint that goes into the catalytic converter. Instead of making a complete seal there was exhaust fumes leaking into the engine bay which were then coming into the car via the A/C! That's why it was worse when staionary becuase there was no air diluting the gas from the car moving forward, and that's also why the engine bay was so dirty with black soot. The remedy was to buy a new cat which I got from Europarts for £190. I have a 2005 Superb 1.9 TDi.

/

Hello,

I've recently bought an 03 octavia 1.9 sdi.

I can constantly smell what seems like burnt oil when in the car. I left the car running to warm up yesterday morning and when I turned the blower on in the hot position I could see smoke coming from the screen vent.I turned to face the rear window and because the sun was shining through the rear window I could see the car was full of it. (not good!)

I've taken the engine cover off to investigate and discovered the vent pipe from the rocker cover to the inlet manifold had a small split. there does appear to be a leak which is dripping on to the exhaust manifold, but it doesn't appear to be enough to create the amount of smoke I'm getting?

Could anyone advise on where the cabin air intake is and if there could be another likely source for the smoke please? It's worrying to the point that I don't want to drive it any more.

Both front foot wells and the rear passenger side are wet as well? The car is a basic model without air con. Is it possible the smoke could be related to the damp? I haven't had the car long enough to notice any loss in coolant so it could just be leaky door seals or maybe a leak from the bulk head?

Can anyone advise on where to get a new vent pipe from (genuine skoda I guess) or where I might find a decent parts catalogue to identify part numbers?

Sorry for all the questions. :S

Thank in advance.

Mark

UPDATE:

I've checked for blocked drain holes, fixed the oil leaks and jet washed the engine off.

Still got the smoke! :S

Actually I think It's water related now! Just taken the pollen filter out and what looks like smoke is coming out from the blower box! So it looks like it's steam not smoke.

Are there any good guides or advice on how to get to the heater core/matrix to check for leaks and possibly replace?

Thanks again for your help.

Edited 9 October, 201114 yr by metalmick