Over the last few weeks ive notcied in my rear mirror that ive had a quite a bit of white smoke coming from the exhaust when ive given it a good run or on start up. It seems to only smoke on startup for about 20 seconds or when stopped at traffic lights when idling. Ive also notcied it loses a small amount of water (about half a cupful every 100miles or so).
Could this be the valve stem seals? Or could it be head gasket? Ive checked the oil and that looks all clean and the water in the expansion tank looks clean enuf.
Now seeing that my current head is very tappety and i was gonna change the cam with a new standard cam i am gonna either get another head or if thats not available then rebuild the head i got.
Is it harder work to change the head or rebuild current one? How much would it cost for parts to rebuild my head?
If my head gasket is on the way out anyway then id have to get the head off anyway.
Ive also noticed that alot of my loom plugs havent got the metal clip on them to hold them on so they keep coming off. I need about 3-5 clips. Where can i get them from?
Also i need to install my new fan switch as currently the one i got dont work and the connection has been bridged to keep the fan on all the time. I also wanted manual control for it too so it will be automatic but i got the option to turn it on myself too. Is it a case of just wiring a parallel connection to the switch or do i need to use a relay? If so how is that wired?
Many Thanks
Mark D

 

Sounds like your head gaskets had enough mate, its doin it on start up cause waters seeped in and settled overnight and when u boot it cause its under more pressure.
Its easier to change the head just because to rebuild yours you'll have to take it off and then rebuild it, where u thinkin recondtioned head or second hand one?

 

It doesnt smoke when i boot it - just when im sat at traffic lights and for about 10 seconds on startup.
Thats the only time it smokes.

 

I would say your head gasket is slowly letting go mate. Well easy to do on a S2 tho.
Your better off getting your head rebuilt mate, at least you no its alright then

 

Its it something a non-mechanic like myself can do?

 

Hard to say mate cos i dont no how good you are. If you no how to time the engine up an how to use a torque wrench then u should be ok

 

If i dont i know someone who can!

 

theres no better way to learn than do it yourself mate.
mines losses a little water every now and again and smokes for the first few seconds of warm up specially when coming off boost from a run up but i changed my gasket 2 months ago and i know it aint that

 

Yeah, its always been a bit smokey from startup but that didnt bother me as cleared within a few seconds. Thing is its started to use a bit of water and its a bit embarrasing sat at the traffic lights with roof down and its choking everyone now and then!!

 

is it only when cold tho for the first few minutes?
mines bad it smokes loads pure white smoke but once its had a few minutes of dricing its fine as anything and does not smoke not once

 

As above really. It used to be just on startup for a few seconds and then cleared but since ive notcied the water gradually disappearing ive noticed it does it when stop at the lights and when idling in traffic. Just little plumes every now and again. It never does it on boost or when driving normally.