Car dying at Idle and won't Boost after Turbo Swap

[lewishamilton]

Like the title says I've just performed my 3rd turbo swap on the car (MHI 14b). Took it for some test runs yesterday and all seemed fine other than a intercooler pipe coupling that blew off.

Next, the car would act up when hitting approximately 3000 rpm and boost is ramping up. Still haven't driven it hard but it will no longer achieve full boost. I looked around for obvious boost leak sources and even sprayed soapy water on the usual problem areas (J-Pipe, IC Pipes, Throttle Body, etc). everything has been tightened.

There was oil in the UICP, and now White smoke. Also, on an approximately 3 mile drive today I got a CEL (P0125 Insufficient Coolant Temperature to enter Closed Loop).

Now, the engine will barely stay started (needs help/gas to catch itself, then idles okay) and idle has gotten rougher.

PS, car seemed pretty normal in vacuum when it was driving.

Please help. I'm stumped.

 

[9SECAWD]

Your gonna need a coolant temp sensor, without it the car isn't going to run well at all. That wouldn't have anything to do with your smoke tho. you need to figure out where its coming from. When does it smoke, all the time? idle? wide open throttle? decel? Smoking can sometimes be as simple as a bad PCV valve.

 

[2slow4now]

White smoke doesn't sound good. That could mean your burning coolant. Also oil in the IC piping? Was the turbo used? Maybe that is the source of the leaks. I would kind of tend to guess that since vac seems to be fine on the engine and the problem didn't occur until you swapped to this "new" turbo. My rule with stuff is when it was fine before I messed with it and now a problem then I need to look at the last thing I did.

Also I agree you should replace the coolant temp sensor and check the wiring to the sensor. Check the PCV valve as well. Check the simple, easy, and common first. A+ on checking for boost leaks.

 

[lewishamilton]

The turbo was rebuilt by a reputable rebuilder on this site. So I should look into a coolant temp sensor and not an o2 sensor? I was reading that the o2 sensor is a common reason for issues witht that particular CEL. and my car smoked on the T25 when it started pushing oil, then stopped once the new turbo was put in, and now has started smoking again since these new problems.

 

[Xray2k4]

Did you install a catch can while doing your turbo swap? White smoke can occur when a inappropriate catch can setup is installed and your engine is not breathing properly.

 

[lewishamilton]

No catch can. My mods on my profile are up to date. Car started out all stock. I'm going to check the pcv. do I just blow into it?

 

[lewishamilton]

Car still dying. Installed coolant temp sensor and car idles now without dying, until I go out on a drive then it whistles loud at spool but never reaches boost (Gauge reads zero). At which point I have to limp home because the car wants to stall.

 

[Rsawd95dsm]

Check the wastegate.

 

[Raybert]

Car still dying. Installed coolant temp sensor and car idles now without dying, until I go out on a drive then it whistles loud at spool but never reaches boost (Gauge reads zero). At which point I have to limp home because the car wants to stall.

Check that Vacuum lines are connected correctly.
Also I hope your Catch can setup is correct.
If you hear a loud whistle and gauge reads 0 then it leads only to 4 options:
1. Boost gauge vacuum line isn't installed properly or it's broken. What vacuum HG's your gauge shows when at idle?
2. you have a huge air leak in IC piping, make boostleak test
3. make sure your MAF is connected properly
4. Make sure O2 sensor is connected and check it with pocket loger that it cycle if you have pocketloger or something like Evoscan.

What your Wideband shows? (if you have one)

 

[lewishamilton]

1. Vacuum was I believe just over - 20. So like -18 or so.
2. This is the option I'm leaning on. I just couldnt find it.
3. MAF seems to be connected and operational.
4. I just replaced the O2 sensor with a brand new bosch unit yesterday.


Would a massive boost leak cause smoking?

 

[Xray2k4]

I have seen loud whistling 14b happen when the J-Pipe flange wasn't sealing properly with the turbo. I would double check there.

I haven't heard of turbo smoking from a boost leak but I would look at your turbo oil return line, maybe it's clogged somewhere, perhaps to much gasket maker at the oil pan.

 

[lewishamilton]

Yeah the smoke is what I'm most worried about. I have a feeling i'm going to be able to clear the non-boosting up but the smoke I've been dealing with a lot. I'm also going to check the PCV like was mentioned above.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Is the oil return line kinked or broken my car had one and smoked bad, turbo rebuild I would rule that out.

 

[lewishamilton]

Its the oem oil return. I switched back to the oem line and slotted it for the 14b.