Smoke Smoke Smoke

[240dx]

My turbo starts to smoke quite heavily after a couple of minuts of driving.It seems like its coming from the between the manifold and turbo.I then replaced that gasket and it still smokes just the same.Its white smoke from under the hood and heavy blue smoke from the tail pipe.ANy ideas?? I think my turbo oil seal may be shot

[EODguy036]

sounds reasonable to me. the blue smoke means your burning oil, i think.

[WDRacing]

Smoke colors.

White = waterBlack = fuel Blue = oil.

What type of turbo? EBay?

Check the return line and make sure it's not kinked and is as straight as possible. If the return line is straight, then the problem is most likely the aft turbine seal. Does the turbo have a restrictor?

WD

[240dx]

its a garrett t3/t4.Thank you I will check the return line.I am pretty sure it is the exhaust turbine seal.

but I am still confused as is to why the manifold/ turbo seal smokes like crazy after 5 mins

[C-Kwik]

Consider the possibility that the smoke may not be coming from there. Hard to say without looking at it personally or having more details, another possibility is the headgasket. It can cause both oil burning in the combustion chamber and a coolant or oil leak to the outside. The 5 minute aspect could be related to the engine temperature. As the engine temperature rises, things tend to expand. If there is a crack in the gasket material, it may not show signs of leakage until it expands enough. Just throwing out an idea...

[240dx]

The turbo seals were replaced less then a year ago.I put my Oil return bung in the center on the oil pan. Is that too low?Also Iv'e heard of a bad PCV valve will build pressure in the turbo and cause leak.

BAdd oil return location?

[1mansho]

you know what, just lately i have been having the same problem. Most likely its the return line because a day ago i moved my return line and the turbo smoked like a train but when i moved it back to where it was before it didnt smoke as bad. Also when making harder right turns a puff of blue smoke came out of my exhaust which also says that the oil in the pan is blocking the flow where the return line fitting is at because of the oil swaying on one side due to the g force. sorry if it sounds complicated its just what i have noticed.

[C-Kwik]

The turbo seals were replaced less then a year ago.I put my Oil return bung in the center on the oil pan. Is that too low?Also Iv'e heard of a bad PCV valve will build pressure in the turbo and cause leak.

BAdd oil return location?

Could be anything at this point. The key to any diagnostic is to systematically eliminate the possibilities. Oil return is a possibility. You want the return bung to be above the oil line. The oil that makes its way out of the turbo is going to be in more of a froth form. As such, it flows poorly and if the bung is lower than the oil level, then it can back up in the line causing it to force oil past the seals. Not saying this is what's happening in your case though. The one thing that concerns me is the smoke showing up on the outside of the turbo. Typically, oil leaking past the seal will only show up in the exhaust as smoke. I'd rule out other possibilities as well.

[1mansho]

a general rule is to have the oil pan bung welded as high as possible so the return line is above the oil level so oil can flow freely.

[240dx]

Just plugged the original hole and made the return bung as high as possible.It was a PITA but I replaced the PCV valve.

Oil still burns just as bad but atleast I ruled out the basic causes.I ordered a minor dynamic seal kit for the turbo.Ill post the results.

Thanks for all your help eh

[neverlift]

did not see an answer to wd question on the restrictor... , you start without one, if you have smoke you run one. I advise the staggered gap piston seal for the turbine side.... makes it harder for the oil to pass the gap.

I know this is a dumb question but you dont have your valve cover vent ran to a charge pipe do you?

[240dx]

Ill try a restrictor.But im still goin to replace the seal.I have a dynamic seal rebuild kit on its way.

And to answer your judgemental questionI do have the valve cover vent running to the charge pipe just before the throttle body.

Ill post the result of the restrictor 1/16 restrictor

cheers

[240dx]

Just installed a .063 oil restrictorIt doesn't burn as much but damm it still burns a lot.

[neverlift]

And to answer your judgemental questionI do have the valve cover vent running to the charge pipe just before the throttle body.

cheers

well it sounded judgmental because you sound lost, and the truth is you are, you NEVER run the valve cover breather to the charge pipe, you run it to the turbo inlet pipe, you know the one with the filter. now instead of posting some smart a** comment like that go your a** outside and take that hose lose block the hose on the charge pipe side and send me 50 bux via paypal for being a b**** when I clearly helped you. Then come back on here and say thanks neverlift.

[neverlift]

I'll be nice and elaborate for those not keeping up, when you run the v/c breather to the ~charge pipe~ you in turn charge the valve cover making it impossible for the oil to drain...

[240dx]

Neverlift.I owe you one eh.I pulled the valve cover breather.Plugged the end and took her for a rip.She bearly smokes anymore, im thinking its just burning the leftover oil.I misunderstood your tone in reply #1but shiet i cannot believe a small mistake like that was the cause.but w.e im 18 and still learning

thanks mann.

[neverlift]

no problem, we all make mistakes...

Ive personally made this one. Everything is fine till that blow dryer gets hot and the oil gets hot and has no place to run off cause the pressure(yeah even out of boost the turbo is creating a little pressure, take your intake pipe off and and watch the impeller, then remove the charge pipe and watch the speed of impeller drop to about half) is too high for the frothy oil to drain back.Then you get all that smoke, and yes it could be burning off coked oil. You might wanna check your oil now it could be compromised..

I get the, misread your tone constantly the internet doesnt have emotions I dont really care if you dont like the response I just try to throw help out, if the reader doesnt have his salt handy its his fault