Knocking while cold

[Dred]

I got a 94 TSI FWD, and the car has been through a rough life I guess, mainly with it's first owner. I lose oil on a regular bases, although there aren't any visible oul leaks or burning oul (from the exhaust that is). When I pop the hood, I can smell hot oil, just like the smell of a carburated motorcycle, i'm sure many of you know what i'm talkin about.

Anyways, I always cool my car down before shutting off atleast for 3minutes, and I don't ride hard cause of a tranny probelm. When I start the car it sounds like a valve is gona jump through the valve cover, although I'm not 100% sure the sound is comingfrom there. I took the car to a shp and they noted that my crank bearing were shot, but it's unlikely the cause of that probelm.

The car also doesn't always start knocking when i start it up, and only does sometimes when I leave it off for the night.

Also, If i dont spend about 10minutes idling the car before turning it off, it's a bit hard to get it running if i do it aprx 30-60minutes later. I have to play around with the gas, and it sounds like it's chocking.

I'm sorry if i'm being a bit vague, but I just got so many problems with it it's not even funny.

If anyone has any coments in regards with any of the above listed problems, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Dred.

 

[ddavisaf]

My car also knocks when I first start it after a nice cold night. Oil gets cold it gets sluggish so it's not properly flowing causing a little bit of knocking. The cure, get a block warmer. It's MAYBE 90 dollars and it'll help. Keeps ya warm on those chilly nights. If you're losing oil and it's not leaking your valve seals might be going out. No smoke follows your car when you drive around?

How long has it been since you've had a tune up?

 

[Dred]

Been a while since i had a tune-up, but even after a tune-up i still lost oil. I think you're right about the valve seals. Some mechanic told me that it was the gaskets from the cams and crank, but i changed those a while back, had a certified mechanic (good one tmk) watch me and guide me through it. No, there is no smoke followin me around, and the exhaust fumes smell nothing of oil, just burned gas. The engine, when I pop the hood smells like hot oil, but not burned.

I also think that the knock I get has to do with valves, cause it sound's like an engine first started after a rebuild.

I'm thinking of rebuilding the engine, but I don't want to do it before I have enough cash to mod / polish the internals so I wont have to pick it apart again when I'm ready to mod.