smoke out of exhaust

[95gstbeast]

so i noticed on my drive home today when i would decel or downshift to decel a greyish smoke coming out of my exhaust. when idling and i gas it it does the same thing about 2 seconds after i let off gas. i know that grey smoke is normally coolant or synthetic oil burning. so far i have no oil in coolant or vise versa. no loss of oil when i checked it and compression test showed 170 even on all cylinders, i even replaced the pcv valve. i am running a evo3 16g to a 3 inch dp and exhaust with no cat and apexi safc2 controlling fuel. also i checked the turbo and it has absolutely 0 shaft play in out or side to side. i would appreciate any help before i take my sledgehammer to it

 

[MrBoxx]

Since it's only doing it on decel or downshifting, I'm still going to say turbo seals, based on my personal experience and observations from other members' posting here. I could be wrong, but pull your lower intercooler pipe and see if there's any oil pooled in it.

We'll assume that the smoke doesn't smell like coolant burning, so it must be oil. If the intercooler pipe is dry, try a leakdown test.

 

[minimoose]

^^ Good advice from the mod. I could be wrong but im pretty sure grey is not coolant. Any time coolant burn its a heavy white smoke really hard to miss. Grey with a tint of a blue is for sure oil.

 

[KYAWD]

What about vavle seals?

 

[minimoose]

^^ Possiable. But there are so many variables when it comes to trying to diagnose something like burning oil from any engine. Could be valve seals, turbo gaskets, blow by from bad rings. It could be something really simple and stupid easy, or hard and a pain.

 

[95gstbeast]

Thanks for the quick responses guys. Guess it's time to rebuild the turbo. Lol

 

[minimoose]

Start by checking for shaft play. That will tell you whats going on. Then if you have shaft play the turbo would need rebuilt. As long as the turbo isnt horriable you should be able to just replace the gasktes and seals.

 

[roybatty]

Oops bad reading retention ...time for bed. +1 on smoke being from oil. Valve stem seals would smoke @ idle & decel.

 

[95gstbeast]

@minimoose. There is no shaft play at all but I've searched and searched. Is there a kit that has just the seals or is a rebuild kit the only way to get that?

 

[AlexPro]

@minimoose. There is no shaft play at all but I've searched and searched. Is there a kit that has just the seals or is a rebuild kit the only way to get that?

Hey man, I just went trough same problem few weeks ago. It was my plate that covers the exhaust end of the CHRA. I end up buying rebuild kit and other turbo for parts.
In my case I had PCV pressure way higher then its should be. Here is some pictures how it looked like...
http://tapatalk.com/mu/47e7301b-4e90-3e91.jpg
http://tapatalk.com/mu/47e7301b-4ef3-a991.jpg

Also check out my post if you interested...
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/409167-pcv-pressure-when-bov-recirculated-2.html

 

[campos_racing]

had the same thing happen to me and it was the turbo seals, though it was a little more smoke!! good luck on it!!

 

[Frickadella]

Before you go and rebuild that turbo, I'd recommend a compression test or leak down test. Deceleration means sudden throttle close -> increased manifold vacuum -> more oil past rings. If your car didn't have a turbo, I'd say your rings were most likely the problem.

 

[AlexPro]

Before you go and rebuild that turbo, I'd recommend a compression test or leak down test. Deceleration means sudden throttle close -> increased manifold vacuum -> more oil past rings. If your car didn't have a turbo, I'd say your rings were most likely the problem.

^^^ I agree, way cheaper then rebuilding and balancing your turbo

 

[95gstbeast]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I did a compression test right after the problem started and it was 168-170 between all cylinders. I dont have the ability to do a leak down test but when I pulled the plugs they all looked clean so I may be wrong but from what I've read it's most likely the turbo seals. I'm not sure because this is my first turbo car and this turbo was on when I bought it so I have no clue how old it is but it has no shaft play in any direction so I'm kinda lost

 

[Frickadella]

I'm right there with you... rebuilt engine burning oil. I'm waiting on an air pressure regulator so I can make a leak down tester, then I've got to rent a compressor so I can do that test and a boost leak test. Hoping its my BOV so I can buy new pipes and BOV.

 

[AlexPro]

Okay I wish you Luck with your rebuild man...
Some links I followed while rebuilding my T25, T28 is same concept.
How To: Rebuild a T25/T28 Turbo (PIC HEAVY) - SR20 Community Forum - The Dash
MAKE SURE TO MARK EVERYTHING!!!

 

[95gstbeast]

ok so today i pulled the LICP and there was almost no oil in there..barely enough to look like blow by. from what i have read there should be more oil if it is my turbo seals, or am i wrong? also i turned my greddy BOV more towards soft based on a friends suggestion and now there is a little less smoke than before. i wasn't getting a compressor surge and i had originally adjusted the BOV based on RRE website so now im really lost..... i have great compression in all cylinders, almost no oil in the LICP pipe(just a little residue) and no shaft play in any direction and replaced the PCV valve and still getting smoke...could this still be my turbo seals or anybody else have any ideas?

 

[britdog]

Id rebuild the turbo. check all your seals and gaskets