Hi

 

I have a skoda octavia 2002 1.9tdi with 100k miles on. 

 

it is blowing out white/grey smoke when I start engine or rev engine. Can anyone advise if it could be the head OR the rings as I dont want to go and do the rings if its the head and vice versa.

 

Any information greatly appreciated.

100k miles is no distance at all for this engine, so that alone makes me think it's unlikely to be rings. Also, smoke from worn rings is usually blue unless your lubricant consumption is on a par with the fuel consumption?

 

But to completely eliminate rings, do a "wet" compression test by putting a tablespoon of oil down each glowplug hole in turn, and then doing a diesel compression test (don't even try an use a petrol compression tester, unless you want to dent the underside of the bonnet!)

 

You could also have a coolant analysis done (about £15) to check for head gasket failure.

 

Oh yes, and you could try posting in the relevant model forum rather than the website forum!