2G Bad turbo, oil in pipes and smoke out exhaust

camgst · Oct 18, 2015

I've tried searching for a similar thread but no one seems to have exact symptoms. This is my first thread, but have been lurking on here without a membership for a while.

I have a 98 GS-T Spyder with 80,000 miles. Followed carfax closely and no way there was any rollback as far as the shell is concerned - though not sure how to check if its the original engine.

Before the smoke started blowing out the tail pipe, I had decreased turbo performance (around 9 PSI down from stock 14 PSI I had before) and was burning a significant amount of oil. These symptoms had occurred for about a month before the smoke. Then the smoke started from the tail pipes. Clouds. About 1 quart oil burned every 350 miles. I have tried my hardest not to drive it and have been driving my other vehicle.

Took it to my mechanic who thought I needed a complete rebuild of my engine. Checked compression with a friend and I'm about 150 PSI in all cylinders. I know perfect is around 180 PSI. We took all of the piping off and there was oil all around the turbo and in all of the lines. Shaft play in the turbo to boot. Previous owner had a new turbo installed, likely an eBay one.

So our thought is to bolt on a new turbo and that should stop the problem. I just bought the FP 68HTA but I'm only really looking to run it stock PSI and I'm considering FMIC, fuel pump and new injectors. I do not have any tuning software and not looking to get into that. Does this diagnosis and plan to fix seem plausible?! I'm not looking to build my car up like crazy. Would prefer it to pass smog (CA) and run well. If I'm planning on running it on stock boost, will I even see the benefit of the supporting mods without tuning software?

My biggest question is the state of my catalytic converter. Since so much burnt oil smoke has run through it, is it dead?! I would again like to pass smog in CA and don't want to shell out $300 for a new one if I don't have to.

Thanks you in advance for any insight you might be able to share

wolf alchemy · Oct 18, 2015

I'm in the same boat. Reading this made me wonder about my cat.

pauleyman · Oct 18, 2015

Take off the exahust and look at the cat.
You can't run larger injectors without some way to tune.
You run an fmic and 68hta you will likely need more fuel necessitating latger injectors and a tuning solution.

u lost · Oct 18, 2015

It definitely sounds like a bad turbo but wouldn't suggest upgrading turbos with out having a way to tune for it..The fp flows more air than a 16g at the same psi..you may be able to get away with it but it's not the best thing to do especially with no way to monitor what's going on..

2gmitsueclipse · Oct 18, 2015

****Please do some research when buying a turbo. Decide what your goals are, and what parts are needed to get there. Making sure you have the supporting mods before slapping on a new turbo is a must. There are many threads on here about supporting mods and power levels the 68 HTA is designed to handle.****

I would suggest getting a used/rebuilt 14b until you have the proper supporting modifications to support the turbo you just purchased.

It (14b or 68 HTA) will not be a straight "bolt-on" turbo as you will need some additional parts. If you are stock, then I will assume you have T-25 (no profile).
See install below:
http://vfaq.com/mods/2G-16G.html

Additional parts (example):
http://www.extremepsi.com/store/product.php?productid=17009&cat=336&page=1

For the cat, Pauley is right, you will have to check it out. Otherwise, you will find out when you get your emissions tested. Unfortunately, no one will be able to give you a definitive answer online. Without pictures anyway...

YUPOK · Oct 18, 2015

+1 on the 14B.
Post pics of the turbo and we can help determine if it's eBay.

the symptoms stated point to a worn turbo specifically the oil deal on the hot side. The shaft play is helping oil to pass the seal.

Dsmkauai · Oct 18, 2015

Look to see if the comp wheel made contact with the housing. If it has the turbo is toast sounds like the thrust plate is toast.

camgst · Oct 18, 2015

Would there be the long term damage using the 68hta, fmic and fuel pump without upgrading the injectors or getting dsm link? I would be running the turbo at stock boost.

ALSO is it expected that I will have to replace the throttle body due to all of the oil running through everywhere? Or can I just clean it and go on my way?!

pauleyman said:
Take off the exahust and look at the cat.
You can't run larger injectors without some way to tune.
You run an fmic and 68hta you will likely need more fuel necessitating latger injectors and a tuning solution.

2gmitsueclipse said:
For the cat, Pauley is right, you will have to check it out. Otherwise, you will find out when you get your emissions tested. Unfortunately, no one will be able to give you a definitive answer online. Without pictures anyway...

I will try to post pictures as soon as I can. Probably won't be able to until next weekend...car is at home, I'm away at school for the week. What will I be looking for when I take it apart? Should I just contact an exhaust shop? I know it restricts my performance but I would like to be able to pass smog.

u lost said:
It definitely sounds like a bad turbo but wouldn't suggest upgrading turbos with out having a way to tune for it..The fp flows more air than a 16g at the same psi..you may be able to get away with it but it's not the best thing to do especially with no way to monitor what's going on..

So I'd most likely be able to get away with it.....without any damage...to what specifically? I intend on getting tuning software at some point, just not now. If I were to upgrade my stock fuel pump, would that help at all or just more unknowns? :/

YUPOK said:
+1 on the 14B.
Post pics of the turbo and we can help determine if it's eBay.

the symptoms stated point to a worn turbo specifically the oil deal on the hot side. The shaft play is helping oil to pass the seal.

I will post pictures ASAP. The turbo has only been in the car for probably 15K miles. Yeah that's what we were thinking too... Thanks for responding so quickly.

Dsmkauai said:
Look to see if the comp wheel made contact with the housing. If it has the turbo is toast sounds like the thrust plate is toast.

And I would be able to see this by looking in through the turbine? We haven't taken the turbo out yet...just exhuast manifold and all piping. Waiting until next weekend...will upload pics. Thanks

Thank you all for responding so promptly. I am learning slowly but surely about my car and all of your comments were super helpful.

miliman13 · Oct 18, 2015

Replace turbo, clean out all pipes and and intercooler..... Done.

lasershark · Oct 18, 2015

miliman13 said:
GET SUPPORTING MODS, Replace turbo, clean out all pipes and and intercooler..... TUNE..... Done.

^^^EDITED

u lost · Oct 18, 2015

I had a 16g on my car with a walbro 255 and stock injectors I had my boost at 14 psi without issue..but it flowed around 38-40lbs per min and the fp flows around 51lbs per minute which is a bit more it's a good chance that you will blow your head gasket .Once you get your supporting mods and tuning device then go for it. Until then I would get a 14b and drive the car..Take your time experimenting can cost you a lot in the long run.

miliman13 · Oct 18, 2015

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It's not always blue..

pauleyman · Oct 18, 2015

I don't think you understand how this works. If you have an upgraded turbo even at the same boost as stock it will flow a lot more air. If you have an upgraded fuel pump you will not flow more fuel you just have the capability of flowing more fuel. Larger injectors are what flows more fuel however you cannot add those without a way to tune them. At a bare minimum you need some way To measure things Such as a wideband o2 sensor. There is no way for us to know How much air you can flow For stock injectors and a stock fuel pump. I wouldn't even run stock boost On that turbo I would run wastegate pressure only.

camgst · Oct 18, 2015

pauleyman said:
I don't think you understand how this works. If you have an upgraded turbo even at the same boost as stock it will flow a lot more air. If you have an upgraded fuel pump you will not flow more fuel you just have the capability of flowing more fuel. Larger injectors are what flows more fuel however you cannot add those without a way to tune them. At a bare minimum you need some way To measure things Such as a wideband o2 sensor. There is no way for us to know How much air you can flow For stock injectors and a stock fuel pump. I wouldn't even run stock boost On that turbo I would run wastegate pressure only.

Thank you for taking the time to explain it to me.

Should I even ask your opinion of the Apexi tuning products or do I already know the answer?!
Oh and with all of the smoke, would you say that my throttle body is shot or just needs to be cleaned??

pauleyman · Oct 18, 2015

Clean it out. Apex tuner has its limitation and there are much better cost effective options.

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2G Bad turbo, oil in pipes and smoke out exhaust

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