Precision scm61 smoking problems

[1fast97gsx]

Has anyone else had problems with any of the precision mitsu turbos on their cars? I have a precision scm61 and from the moment I got it I thought it had a little too much shaft play from side to side, however there was no in and out and the blades weren't touching the walls so I figured I'd put it on and let some oil flow through it and see if it tightens up. I drove it around for about 3000 miles and then started getting just a little blue / white smoke out of the exhaust once in a while. I ended up swapping in another motor ( brand new forged internals complete block / head ) and I bolted up the turbo. After my break in period I had the boost at about 18 psi since I was still in the tuning stages. I floored it and it pegged 18 psi just like it should but then as I went into the next gear I lost some boost and as it was respooling the boost just totally started dropping off and went down to almost 0!!! I took the car home since I was on my way home anyways and parked the car. The next day I started it and blew tons of smoke out of the exhaust during warm up. It stopped a little but everytime I floored it it left an 1/8 mile trail of smoke behind. I got home, checked oil, coolant and compression. No signs of a blown headgasket. I called precision and they told me they warranty their turbos for 12 months or 12k miles.

I bought it less than a year ago from a local ghetto shop so I have no reciept. The guy I talked to on the phone said precision had some casting problems wit htheir mitsu turbos so it was either a hit or miss thing as far as the oil seals going bad soon. He said to send it in and they'd take care of it. Has anyone else had these problems or had to deal with them for any warranty issues? I told the guy I have no reciept for the turbo, but he said I'd still be ok and just to send it in. I just don't want them then to turn around and say I need a reciept and I need to pay for the repairs once I do send it in ... so has anyone had experience with their warranty / repair department? Has anyone else had problems with their scm series turbos?

 

[prostreetdsmx1]

the few times i have ever had to send a turbo back to precision they always have taken care of me. As long as it wasn't obvious neglect on your part then they are good for it as long as the vendor is an actual vendor you should be ok.

best of luck.

 

[1fast97gsx]

alright thanks. I will keep everyone updated on what happens. I'll try and send it back tomorrow.

 

[Car Cannibal]

If you do not have the receipt, how are you going to prove its less than a year old?

Expect to pay for a rebuild.

Sounds like your old motor contaminated the oil and killed your turbo. And breaking in a motor can harm your turbo if you do not change the oil religiously during the break in. 25 miles, 50, 100, 250, 500, 1000 etc just to get the debris out of the oil which will also kill the shaft bearings.

 

[desolateboosted]

I don't know if this is related to your post but my scm61 was smoking a bit a while back. I doubled checked everything rings/valve seals/turbo. I also checked for shaft play and side to side play. Nothing. It came down to the oil return line. The line was made of a peice of rubber and it was kinked to the point where oil flow was drastically blocked off. Don't ask me how that happened. I replaced it with a different return line and walla, no more smoking!

 

[Batty200]

If you do not have the receipt, how are you going to prove its less than a year old?

Expect to pay for a rebuild.

Sounds like your old motor contaminated the oil and killed your turbo. And breaking in a motor can harm your turbo if you do not change the oil religiously during the break in. 25 miles, 50, 100, 250, 500, 1000 etc just to get the debris out of the oil which will also kill the shaft bearings.

A new motor should not make enough debris if assembled right to hurt a turbo. When a motor "BREAKS IN" it isnt actually doing anything except seating the rings. Motor clearances are predetermined when assembled and when they change tht is bad. I would say change it immediately on a rebuild since it might have some dirt in the motor from being apart if you didnt clean it well but after that you should be OK. Metal in the oil in any significant amount is BAD.

Later

 

[CMiuc12s]

I just had to send my 50 trim back to them because the turbine seal went out. I had the same kind of simtumes as you when it went out. I sent mine back to the vendor(SBR) and Nate said they would honor the one year warrenty and send it to get fixed. just sent it yesterday, so we'll see how it goes. I'll keep you posted. Nick

 

[1fast97gsx]

If you do not have the receipt, how are you going to prove its less than a year old?

Expect to pay for a rebuild.

Sounds like your old motor contaminated the oil and killed your turbo. And breaking in a motor can harm your turbo if you do not change the oil religiously during the break in. 25 miles, 50, 100, 250, 500, 1000 etc just to get the debris out of the oil which will also kill the shaft bearings.

I was actually at precision and had them exchange exhaust housings for me which they did on an exchange due to the fact that it was still brand new and never even bolted on anywhere. The guy I talked to ( don ) said a reciept for this would be sufficient as well as my purchase reciepts for the oil lines which were right about that time as well since they show the turbo was still brand new at that time. Basically I just wanted to know if anyone else has heard of these "casting changes" made to the newer turbos and if anyone else had this type of problem with one of their turbos. I'm not bashing the company and I was very happy with the turbo, however I'm just trying to have a better idea of what to expect from them to handle this situation.

As far as the shavings in the oil ... I understand there will be a small amount of shavings, however I also think your oil change intervals are overkill. I can see why it would need to be done after the first 20 miles or so, then maybe again at 200, and then at 1000 again, but I think the amount of metal shavings and contamination you are thinking of shouldn't be there and the first oil change should take care of them. Either way thanks for the info.

p.s. I pulled off the turbo last night and felt the shaft play. In and out play was almost none, side to side there was a little more than when I first bought it but with just that little amount of play I could see scratches in the compressor housing inlet from the wheel making contact.

 

[diambo4life]

Personally, I would not spend my own $$ to buy a PTE turbo. A buddy of mine had his rebuilt THREE times and after the third rebuild, I installed it on my car *fresh* and guess what happened? I beat on it for O-N-E day and it started smoking. You get what you pay for. I would personally have them rebuild it, get it back and sell it asap. Use that money to buy something more reliable. Trust me, you are not the only one with a smoking PTE turbo. Good luck.

 

[WhiteAWDtsi]

does anyone have a oil pressure regulater on their pte and still have problems? i've heard pte has put the blame on too much oil pressure. Maybe i'm wrong...