Attempted theft now Smoke!

WellWhoKnows · Dec 6, 2011

Strange one this, I got to my 1979 diesel S3 at 8am this morning and found that it was running, it had a bigger than usual pool of oil under the oil filter that usually drips a bit so it must have been running a while.

No idea how someone got in or got it running and why then they didnt take it, drivers door lock seems to have been tampered with a bit but still works with the key. I guess the locks on these are not up to much but she takes some starting if you dont know about the separate plug heater button and the ignition does not seem to have been tampered with.

In my confusion I starting to think that I had left it running since coming home at 5pm yesterday but there was not much fuel gone and if she had been running all that time I'm sure a fair bit would have been used. A neighbour has reported that she was running at 5am this morning as he left for work so thats at least 3 hours of idling!

I decided to top the oil up and drive her to work, not even thinking that it was a possible attempted theft, well I got 100 yards and she was spewing clouds of thick white smoke when I accelerated so decided to leave her at home today. Got back to her this afternoon, checked again for damage but couldnt see any, started OK but as soon as I put my foot down there are again clouds of smoke.

Does anyone here have an idea of what damage could have been caused by her running on idle for at least 3 hours, quite possibly a lot longer, that would cause her to now smoke like this, she previously smoked a little on cold but nothing like this?

cappy01 · Dec 6, 2011

sounds to me somebody tried to be away with it and got spooked. it could be that with it ticking over so long the oil pressure was too low for the temp of the oil or it could have got hot.

Land Raver · Dec 6, 2011

Have you checked your water level. Head gasket? Seems a strange occurance - maybe you neighbour spooked a would be thief. All rather odd though because to start it up you're already in the truck and ready for off - surely quicker to drive it away than run off and slam the door shut.

.......Actually, perhaps not!

CharlesY · Dec 6, 2011

The oil smoke may from too long ticking over.

Make sure the sump level is OK, and particularly it isn't TOO HIGH (in case fuel pollution has taken place) and then make sure the coolant level is good.

Now take it for a run, driving gently. My feeling is the smoke will clear when the draught of air flowing through the manifolds carries the oil with it, and then eventually there will be no excess oil left.

That's if you are a bit lucky. It is worth a try.

jamesmartin · Dec 6, 2011

id change the oil too,it soon overheats running stood still ,hence why military ffr have oil coolers

Super_Shaun · Dec 6, 2011

Might be a daft suggestion but Ive been told in the past if you drive a doozol on low revs all the time eventualy when you boot it it tends to clear alot of carbon out of the exhaust resulting in alot of black smoke.

If it was idiling for along time and it was cold outside could it just be condensation built up in the exhaust in a similar fashion as it was f-ing cold last night(Here atleast).
So when when you started blowing some real exhaust and some power through it cleared its self so to speak.

WellWhoKnows · Dec 6, 2011

Thank you all for the suggestions, I shall leave her resting (safe in the garage this time!) and check all the fluids etc at the weekend, great to have so many helpful people

CharlesY · Dec 7, 2011

WellWhoKnows said:
Thank you all for the suggestions, I shall leave her resting (safe in the garage this time!) and check all the fluids etc at the weekend, great to have so many helpful people

Take the STOP wire off the solenoid and tuck it out of sight.

jamesmartin · Dec 7, 2011

CharlesY said:
Take the STOP wire off the solenoid and tuck it out of sight.

could be a little difficult on series motor

blue beasty · Dec 7, 2011

Think I'd change fuel and oil simply because it doesn't make sense and I'd worry about what else they may have messed with

CharlesY · Dec 7, 2011

jamesmartin said:
could be a little difficult on series motor

You're right!

Quite a good trick is to use a little bit of 16th welding wire (or anything else suitable) to hold the lift pump lever UP. which stops the fuel from pumping.
Engine might start but it's going to die in seconds, like in the middle of the road causing an obstruction . . .

borristherat · Dec 7, 2011

or wire up a 240v inverter to the door handle.

CharlesY · Dec 7, 2011

borristherat said:
or wire up a 240v inverter to the door handle.

I did summat like that with a battery powered electric fence machine.

Made by Wolseley it was.

The earthing wire was a rod pushed through one of the rubber grommets in the floor.

There were two things happened, a LOUD shout, and a yobbo running like buggery when I came out.

Wolseley Bug Energiser (3v)

Online Shop | Electric Fencing | Energisers - Battery & Solar Powered | Wolseley Bug Energiser (3v)

Wolseley Bug Fencer (3v)

Ref: 34210

Price: £79.00 (Including VAT at 20%)

Quantity:

The Wolseley Bug energiser is a compact, very useful little energiser - with attitude. For use on short runs of temporary fencing, ideal for strip grazing. This unit is not recommended for use with any kind of electrified netting.

It uses 2 x D Cell Batteries, included with this unit, has a simple ON/OFF button and hangs on the fence wire or tape and so electrifies the fence. You then clip the small crocodile clip to an earth stake and turn on. The casing is UV stabilised polypropylene.

Specifications:
Max recommended fence length: 800m
Output joules: 0.25j
Peak Voltage: 6000v

Believe me boys, you won't willingly take a second whack from one of these.

steve2286w · Dec 7, 2011

CharlesY said:
There were two things happened, a LOUD shout, and a yobbo running like buggery when I came out.

Believe me boys, you won't willingly take a second whack from one of these.

Nice one Charles

CharlesY · Dec 7, 2011

steve2286w said:
Nice one Charles

Yeah, did the job, but there was a flaw in my cunning plan.

I had forgotten about getting the door open to turn the damned thing off!

After a while I worked out to slip a rubber mat under the car to lift the earth wire clear of the wet ground.

It was a nerve-wracking moment!

CharlesY

Super_Shaun · Dec 8, 2011

CharlesY said:
Yeah, did the job, but there was a flaw in my cunning plan.

I had forgotten about getting the door open to turn the damned thing off!

After a while I worked out to slip a rubber mat under the car to lift the earth wire clear of the wet ground.

It was a nerve-wracking moment!

CharlesY

lmao, brilliant.
Always thought about doing something like this.

CharlesY · Dec 8, 2011

But back to the case in point . . .

Is the Landy OK now?

WellWhoKnows · Dec 10, 2011

CharlesY said:
But back to the case in point . . .

Is the Landy OK now?

Yes thank you for asking she is better now, as suggested I took her out for a gentle drive through the lanes of Thurrock this morning and after about 5 minutes the plumes of white smoke eventually got less and less until she ran clear (well as clear as she ever did)

Seems like there is no perm damage.

Thank you all again

matthew2riches · Dec 10, 2011

Good news then

I don't understand why they didn't take off in it??

tottot · Dec 10, 2011

How about installing a second pull to stop out of sight[choke cable that can be locked in off position]leaving original as a dummy?love the electric fence idea just needs a hidden switch to turn it on and off

Attempted theft now Smoke!

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Leaks an prone to bits dropping off

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