Valve seals

[McNoodle]

Any ideas what may cause the valve seals on a 2.0 petrol VW to deteriorate? Is it just ' one of those things' or are there any underlying causes? Serviced on time, 33,000 miles.

[McNoodle]

Serviced from new each year at VW. No other problems other than when left overnight, it needs a blip on the throttle to start and a small amount of blue smoke can be seen. After that it starts with just a turn of the key as expected and gives completely trouble free motoring. An RAC guy suggested a small amount of oil could be leaking into the pots overnight, but to live with it for now, as it would worsen only very slowly?

[woodchopper]

You shouldn't have to use the throttle to start the car - injection cars hate it.
You will need to get the stem seals replaced - probably before the next MOT due to emisions.

[derekpara]

Have you been using cheap supermarket petrol consistently ?

[McNoodle]

Thanks all. It passed an MOT only 3 weeks ago, so I suppose it's something I'll just have to keep an eye on... any ideas towards cost when I do get them done?

[derekpara]

Mdoo, I think you will find that an engine run on say, BP Ultimate, would be cleaner in the long run than Sainsbury's or Morrisons standard fuel. Something to do with detergents, I believe.

Read Honest John in the Telegraph on Saturdays, or look up his website. Makes Interesting reading.

[derekpara]

OK Mate. I'll go along with that.