Smoking????????????

[blackbeltclub99]

89 coupe 98 SR20DET stock boost.OK here is the deal my car smokes at low RPM's most of the time. If the car is going down the road there is no smoke, but when I stop it will start smoking most of the time. If I keep the RPM's above 1500 it will not smoke. Also it does not always smoke at low RPM's it is more random than anything, but it is always at low RPM's when it does happen. It is white smoke. it does it cold, hot, and when ever like I said it is kinda random. I have spoke to a local guy who seems to be very knowlegdable about these engines and he said it was the turbo gaskets. I ordered them and they are on the way. If anyone else has any idea's please let me know.

[SpeedRacer1]

White smoke = burning coolant. White smoke with a blue hue = burning oil. Black smoke = unburned gas.

[blackbeltclub99]

It is oil that it is burning. So do you think the turbo gaskets are bad or something else? It is just so random and unpredictable that I have no idea.

[nismostate]

do a compression test and see what you get. 150 psi is normal.

[SpeedRacer1]

Usually blue smoke from burning oil comes from 3 common sources on the SR: Turbo seals, valve stem seals, or headgasket. The quick check is to see if the spark plugs are coated with oil, if this is the case it may be bad valve stem seals or a blown headgasket. Then you can run a compression test to see if it is the headgasket. If the plugs look fine then it is probably the turbo that is blown. There are no "gaskets" that would go bad and result in oil the turbo either needs to be rebuilt or replaced.

[blackbeltclub99]

I will check those first chance I get. Compression was checked about a week ago and it was good in all four cylinders. The turbo still spools fine and before the engine was installed the turbo had no shaft play. If I do need to rebuild it how much and where do I find a good rebuild kit? thanks for all your help.

[Saltman]

I have the EXACT same problem and I was told that it was the turbo too. I'm running Mobil 1 10w-30 synthetic oil and my exhaust poors out white smoke at idle randomly as well. I believe it's the gaskets that is leaking oil. The turbo still spools fine, just like yours but I can't be riding around with it smoking like that. Here's what I was quoted for a rebuilt turbo with Turbocity:

Turbo City rebuild changing the seals, bearings, clean up the housings,etc. - $288 + $23.76 in parts and $10 in shipping total: $321.76

New exhaust manifold gasket - $15.00

Labor for R&R turbo install - $300.00

Total: $636.76

Turn around time is 1-2 days.

Another cheaper option is what I'm doing and that is getting another used stock turbo and have it put on. But I still have to pay the $300 for labor.

[912.0turbo]

300!!!!????? Dang! I just got quoted 65 dollars to take out my turbo and manifold to replace the gasket on the manifold to the turbo and the one to the elbow. Thats removal and installation.

[blackbeltclub99]

I checked the turbo before the engine was installed and it was in great shape. No shaft play. is that about the only thing it could be though is a blown turbo?

[SpeedRacer1]

Just because a turbo doesnt have shaft play doesnt mean its seals have gone bad. A turbo can still spool just fine even when the seals are bad. I had a stock T25 that went bad about 2 years ago. Seals were goners and blew plenty of blue smoke. Unfortunately I could only get a rebuild at the time and that came out to be about $500 from Majecstic turbo in Texas.

[Saltman]

300!!!!????? Dang! I just got quoted 65 dollars to take out my turbo and manifold to replace the gasket on the manifold to the turbo and the one to the elbow. Thats removal and installation.

65!!!!!!!!????? Dang! I wish I could find a price like that here in Cali!!! I'd be all that!

[nismostate]

or just DO IT YOURSELF. come on guys, it's a pretty simple task. AND you can spend the money elsewhere. SCREW a rebuild. save up and get a t28 instead. what's the point of paying 500$ for the same turbo when you can find t28's for about 6-700$ . if you can't spend much, buy a used t25. just not worth getting the t25 imo. if you need a t25 asap, i can get a hold of a mint condition one for cheap. very minimum shaft play with no dings on the fins.

[spider_slayer]

nismo is right in the DO IT YOURSELF area. but you said its jsut white smoke coming out the exaust right? i have this problem too, its jsut hella random and everyhting is fine. i ran a compression check and on the cold engine i got 120.130.120.110. this sucks, but the engine was cols so up that a little bit. i belive the white smoke is coming from coolant leaking into the crankcase. what i suggest and i am myself about to do is pull off the valve cover and if the oil looks like chocholate milk then there is coolant in the oil and best bet is that the head gasket is blown. this is ALOT more work then replacing the turbo....but its also quite a bit cheaper.