I was starting my Mk2 petrol Octavia from cold yesterday and noticed a grey smoke starting to come out of the bonnet on the drivers side. There was also a burning smell. As this alarmed me I immediately switched the engine off and opened the bonnet. However I could not see anything burning at all or smoke either. I waited a few minutes and tentatively restarted the car and there were no more problems on my drive home. I called the AA and they sent a patrol man out. He couldn't detect anything other than a small amount of oil at the breather cap and he stated my oil level was borderline low and recommended I top it up asap.

 

Does anyone have any idea what could have caused this to happen?

Was it coming out from the gap between the bonnet and the wing?

 

Or out of the front grill or out of the wheelarch?

 

Has the car been in for a service recently, I'm guessing not if the oil was low?

Hi silver1011

It was indeed emanating from the gap between the bonnet and wing on the drivers side. As I was advised by the AA patrolman to check my oil on a flat surface I discovered it was just below the minimum level so I topped it up yesterday. He also queried if the car was due a service and I told him it was due in 3 months time. He reckoned the oil level had gone down due to the car really needing a service as it may be burning oil. I will check it weekly from now on to keep an eye on it. The smoke situation has not happened again so far.

I wonder if there was a little contamination or moisture on the cambelt as this is close to the drivers side bonnet and wing shut line...

Funny you should mention the cam-belt as I have previously noted that there is a slight gap in the cam-belt cover and I commented on that to the AA patrol guy. He said there may be a couple of clips missing on the cover but I shouldn't be concerned about it. He also told me something I didn't know was missing, namely a plastic engine cover and he pointed out the fixing points for it!