sound like a blown turbo?

[rossb]

I know theres a billion posts about this, but its a big enough problem that I just have to ask

So I just got my car running again(stock 91 tsi awd). The guy I bought it from was an idiot, and had to fix a lot of things. But on to my current problem. I know for a fact theres a huge boost leak somewhere, and my turbo sounded like a old school fire truck siren(yet there was no shaft play, in out or up down, would only spin). But I took it out for a spin like 40 minutes ago, and was fine in my neighborhood, never got above 3000 in 3rd. Turned onto a main road, and got on it. It was fine until I got in 4th gear, siren sound was replaced with a grinding/rubbing/scrapping sound, and lots of white smoke. I cut it off and just coasted into a bank parking lot, popped the hood, dipstick was blown out a little, and there was smoke just rolling out from the sides of the car. I waited and fired it up, smoke start instantly. It lost 1.5 quarts oil(just changed it yesterday). Didn't have any tools with me so I could not check the intake for oil. Could it be anything but the turbo? Once I get a wrecker to bring it home, I'll get the compression checked and check for shaft play.
P.S. Sorry about the long post, I figured the more details the better.

 

[AndrewD5418]

Sounds worse than a blown turbo to me..

 

[MaxOvrDrv]

This is according to VFAQ "My car blows white smoke! Is there a fix?
From an October 10, 1998 post by David Gawlowski:

"[This is] ...caused by water evaporating in the exhaust stream. Occasional puffs [are] usually from condensation in the exhaust pipes (especially in humid areas) or a water balloon up your stove-pipe. Continual white smoke [is usually due to] a warped head/head gasket and coolant entering your combustion chambers. If you're really unlucky, might be from a cracked head."

Some people have reported that high boost levels may promote white smoke, for some reason. Turning the boost down some cures the problem. This might be related to worn out seals on the turbo, which can leak oil into the exhaust. A bad brake booster can potentially let brake fluid into the vacuum line, which also produces white smoke
"

Sorry to say but what you have described sounds like HG time to tear it down.

 

[MaxOvrDrv]

After it sits for a lil bit check to see if you have coolant in your oil if so def needs a head job. sry that sucks bad.

 

[rossb]

It wasn't running hot, not even half way up on the temp gauge. If it was a HG problem, wouldn't it run hot? And the coolant in the reservoir was at normal levels.

 

[talon187]

no thats not correct my friend a headgasket job done by a place and when he got the car back it didnt over heat or anything but after it was driven for a long period of time there would be coolant in the over flow tank. so he tore it a part the headgasket it self was fine but the head wasnt resurfaced when the new headgasket was installed so it didnt seal correctly. when i my headgasket blew it didnt over heat or push coolant or even smoke for that matter. i had horrible compression again it was because a headgasket was done and the head not resurfaced...also it may not push coolant yet untill it gets worse... id check the compression and go from there. good luck if you do a headgasket get a mutsu 4 layer you'll be happy trust me

 

[TermTrky]

My bad head gasket took almost an hour to over heat. Compression check buddy, will tell you of head gasket / valve / ring issues.

 

[rossb]

Thanks for the advice guys, if I get a chance tomorrow I'll check it out(finals week).

 

[rossb]

Just a quick update, there was some oil in the intake, not a lot but it was still there. Also there was shaft play on the turbo, in/out side/side and up/down. It wasn't there a few days ago(I knew it was on its last legs anyways). The blades are resting on the housing as well. Sounds like the noise is coming from the timing belt tensioner area. Also to my surprise the lower timing belt cover is missing 2 bolts. And since the water pump is driven by the timing belt, couldn't that explain the smoke somehow?

edit: also the oil was not milky, which hopefully throws the HG idea out

 

[turboglenn]

The water pump is NOT driven by the timing belt. Just an FYI for you