[Delta Tango]

Hello,

Did a motorway run at the weekend.. Aprox 66 miles.

I've had this smoke before, but it only happens on longer journeys.

Going to work, shops etc....not a problem.

I also noticed hot air being blown through my air-con/heater vents, yet my heater/air-con not being switched on. Closing the vent solves this, but still....is this normal?

I don't want to have the grey smoke issue every time I decide to travel further afield.

A quick google has pinged up Head Gasket, but knowing very little about cars does not help me at all.

I don't think garages are great so I try to avoid them.

[GAZ237]

Can only have white smoke (steam) Blue smoke (worn engine) Black smoke (unburnt diesel).

Sounds like a head gasket problem. Around town on short runs its not getting hot enough. On the motorway underload on a run its getting hot?

Check the oil for water(white mayo)

What car, engine, year?

[woodbush]

Sounds like a head gasket. Do you have to top up your radiator fluid?

What make and model is it?

[gdjman68wasdigi]

Originally Posted by Delta Tango

Hello,

Did a motorway run at the weekend.. Aprox 66 miles.

I've had this smoke before, but it only happens on longer journeys.

Going to work, shops etc....not a problem.

I also noticed hot air being blown through my air-con/heater vents, yet my heater/air-con not being switched on. Closing the vent solves this, but still....is this normal?

I don't want to have the grey smoke issue every time I decide to travel further afield.

A quick google has pinged up Head Gasket, but knowing very little about cars does not help me at all.

I don't think garages are great so I try to avoid them.

which is probably why your cars knackered

if your worried about being "ripped off", then have a friend or colleague recommend a garage or try the "good garage" scheme

http://www.goodgaragescheme.co.uk/

and yes, sounds like head gasket
probably due to lack of maintenance

[Delta Tango]

It's an audi A3 1999.

I had a full service on it a couple of months a go and have since had to put more oil in the car as it was completely dry. Doesn't really assure me.

As for a white substance in the oil, nope. There isn't any.

[woodbush]

Originally Posted by Delta Tango

It's an audi A3 1999.

I had a full service on it a couple of months a go and have since had to put more oil in the car as it was completely dry. Doesn't really assure me.

As for a white substance in the oil, nope. There isn't any.

You shouldn't have to top up the oil that soon after a service. I asked before, do you have to top up the radiator fluid?

[Delta Tango]

Originally Posted by woodbush

You shouldn't have to top up the oil that soon after a service. I asked before, do you have to top up the radiator fluid?

No radiator fluid is fine.

[woodbush]

If you are only topping up the oil then the engine must be burning it, that's why you see the smoke on a run. What is the mileage?

[GibsonSG]

Originally Posted by Delta Tango

It's an audi A3 1999.

I had a full service on it a couple of months a go and have since had to put more oil in the car as it was completely dry. Doesn't really assure me.

As for a white substance in the oil, nope. There isn't any.

Piston rings, valves something like that if you are burning oil. Is there a temperature gauge on the dash? Been out of the trade for a long time but the other thing Audis and VW's used to suffer from was an oil leak through a seal on the engine. They used have a high pressure oil system, do you see oil under the car when you leave it over night? It could be overheating due to a lack of oil.