Spark plugs smell like burnt clutch

[02BLUR]

I finally got my "new" #2 car, a 90 Tsi AWD, running. But I took the plugs out and the threads are all wet. And they smell really bad. Plus lots of steam out of the tail pipe and especially when I rev it up. Also, steam (or smoke) continues to rise out of the exhaust manifold after I turn it off. I'm thinking bad head gasket...what do you think?

 

[ddavisaf]

Shine a flash light down into the spark plug cylinders with the plugs removed. You'll be able to see if the surface of the pistons are wet. Retorque the head studs. Keep an eye on your temperature gauge and coolant level.

 

[fwdturbobov1996]

Check your turbo feed line. May be leaking oil and when you go wot more pressure equals more mess and could be burning off the manifold. Also turbo seals is what I would check for the white smoke and you could be running lean. Moisture on the end of your plugs is not good. Do a compression test.

 

[ddavisaf]

Also turbo seals is what I would check for the white smoke

White smoke is coolant related.
Blue oil .
Black fuel.

 

[fwdturbobov1996]

White smoke is coolant related.
Blue oil .
Black fuel.

well then i was informed wrong. You got a link to that cause I was told white could be a blown turbo seals cause after it burns and comes out the exhast it becomes white.

 

[ddavisaf]

Trust me
It's a very light blue color with a distinct oil smell.
Coolant burning smells like burnt syrup

 

[02BLUR]

Compression test is:

137,124,125,136

It smells like burning paper really

 

[andymoraitis]

Compression test is:

137,124,125,136

It smells like burning paper really

If that's a warm compression test, then you're below service limit on the majority of your cylinders. I would re-do the test and this time, dump a capful of oil into each one before testing it. If the compression goes up markedly, it's a ring seal problem.

Hope that helps,

Andy

 

[02BLUR]

If that's a warm compression test, then you're below service limit on the majority of your cylinders. I would re-do the test and this time, dump a capful of oil into each one before testing it. If the compression goes up markedly, it's a ring seal problem.

Hope that helps,

Andy

Actually, service limit is 121psi.

I've been reading and when two adjacent cylinders have low compression, head gasket is probably bad. Just like my two middle cylinders

I'll do another compression test with the oil in the cylinder.

 

[ddavisaf]

121 psi is the service limit with a difference of no more than 14psi between cylinders.
I agree with the wet test. It'll help confirm the problem.

 

[andymoraitis]

Actually, service limit is 121psi.

I've been reading and when two adjacent cylinders have low compression, head gasket is probably bad. Just like my two middle cylinders

I'll do another compression test with the oil in the cylinder.

Thanks for correcting me on the 1G service limit as I had always thought it was 130. If the wet test doesn't show anything, I agree that going after the head gasket is a good idea, but I didn't see anything posted with respect to coolant loss. I know you're blowing smoke, but monitoring coolant levels is a great idea to ensure that you're headed in the right direction.

Let us know what you find,

Andy