Weird smoking problem, out of ideas.

[mooglepimp]

Here's my problem. My car was running fine, then I blew the turbo about 3 weeks ago. I replaced it with another used t-25 from a friend's car. It had some shaft play, but nothing outlandish and it didn't smoke when it was on his car. Now my car smokes like you would not believe......but only after 5-10 minutes of driving and @ idle. I start my car up and everything is cool, no smoke, oil pressure is exactly between the high and low lines, we're good. I can drive, stop, and go as much as I want in the first 5 minutes, but I am screwed after that. The first time that I stop after I have been driving it for about 5-10 minutes...SMOKE! Enough smoke coming out of my tailpipe that it almost obscures my view of the road. My oil pressure drops until the needle is barely above the low line (not the very bottom "empty" line) and stays there. As long as I am on the gas I am good to go, but between shifts there is a little bit of smoke and @ idle there is an assload of it. The smoke looks white, but I've only driven it @ night, so I would imagine that there is a blue tint to it because I know it smells like burning oil. There is also some smoke coming from my engine, but not a whole lot. I haven't done a compression test, but I plan on doing one this weekend. Other than "Do a compression test" are there any ideas out there? My friends and I are stumped. Thanks

 

[hereitcomes]

sounds like when your motor and trubo heat up its burning oil. that shaft play that you were talking about might be enough for the turbo to be frying the oil thats running through it, the low oil pressure indicates that your turbo might not be sealed because of that amount of bearing play with the turbine. You just experienced this heavy smoking after the turbo install then I would point you in that direction first. good luck man.!!

 

[ddavisaf]

Good job with the compression test. That's your first step, however since it'll come this weekend while you're waiting for that you can check the turbo again like hereitcomes said.
Pull off the intake pipe and check the shaft play again. Then pull off your LICP and check for more than a slight film of oil in the pipe and intercooler. This would indicate a bad turbo.
After you get this smoking problem fixed you want to run a boost leak test. You could be frying your turbos due to them overworking to meet the requirements of the wastegate.
Also make sure your pcv is good.
A boost leak test will test your valve seals/guides
A compression test will test your piston rings and headgasket.
Keep an eye on what fluid you're losing.

 

[mooglepimp]

My first thought was that it was the turbo....but it wasn't smoking when it was on my friend's car. I pulled off the intake pipe to check for shaft play and it almost seemed less than what it was before I put it on. Also, wouldn't the turbo smoke all the time, instead of just @ idle, if that was the problem? What about the oil line? What if that got some sort of sludge in it, would that cause the smoke? I really don't have a lot of experience yet, but I'm learning, which is why I have lots of questions.

 

[ddavisaf]

If your oil lines are clogged then you'll notice a decrease in oil pressure, but it will not result in smoking.
The reason for there being less shaft play is because now the bearing has oil, creating a strong seal on the bearing opposed to it being dry.

As to the turbo smoking. It will smoking all the time, but it will only really be noticeable when you come out of boost, or enter boost.
You're more than likely looking at bad valve seals, which can be confirmed with a boost leak test. Fix any leaks you may have and then listen in the oil cap for air.

 

[mooglepimp]

Boost leak test, sounds like a plan. Any way you can link me to a "how to"? I'd look more myself but I'm at work and in the process of some major computer switches that I have to do for people.

 

[oldman]

BLT.

 

[ddavisaf]

BLT.

 

[polonez]

pull off your exhuast mani and look to see if any cylinder is is covered in oil. i had the same problem and i couldnt figure it out. even ordered a new turbo thinking it was it. took off the mani to port it and bam .. need new valve seals/

 

[mooglepimp]

Good ideas guys, I will take off the mani when I get home, if I seen nothing then I will do a compression test, then a boost leak test if I still can't find anything. I'll update when I know something more.

 

[polonez]

sounds good /.... good luck