whats the cause of this (turbo)

[GSX26]

alright everyone, I just got back from my buddies house. We took his turbo out because it was blown, and we inspected it. The exhaust turbine wheel (I think that's what it's called) is completely white. Shouldn't it be more like black if anything? So I was curious as to what that meant, or was a symptom of. Also, the wheel wouldn't even spin. He had purchased a used 14b to replace it with, which turned out to be something weird. A t3 exhaust housing with a 14b compressor housing with a 16 compressor wheel. So that's no good. But he's buying a evo anyways. But back onto topic, there was also something else messed up in the exhaust housing. The whole thing was cracked and, it's hard to explain, but like eaten away almost. The exhaust manifold shared similar problems. It's a 1990 tsi awd. I was wondering if thats common for a car with 120k on the clock, or if there's something internally wrong on the engine? Any help or pointers are appreciated. We don't want to strap the evo up there to have it fail the exact same way. Thanks

 

[SkyLineGtR-R34]

looks like there was too much heat comming out
maybe running too lean/rich

but i'm not a pro...just the stuff i read here on the forums

 

[RyanTSi]

alright everyone, I just got back from my buddies house. We took his turbo out because it was blown, and we inspected it. The exhaust turbine wheel (I think that's what it's called) is completely white. Shouldn't it be more like black if anything? So I was curious as to what that meant, or was a symptom of. Also, the wheel wouldn't even spin. He had purchased a used 14b to replace it with, which turned out to be something weird. A t3 exhaust housing with a 14b compressor housing with a 16 compressor wheel. So that's no good. But he's buying a evo anyways. But back onto topic, there was also something else messed up in the exhaust housing. The whole thing was cracked and, it's hard to explain, but like eaten away almost. The exhaust manifold shared similar problems. It's a 1990 tsi awd. I was wondering if thats common for a car with 120k on the clock, or if there's something internally wrong on the engine? Any help or pointers are appreciated. We don't want to strap the evo up there to have it fail the exact same way. Thanks

Pics?

RyanTSi

 

[GSX26]

I'll try to get some pics sometime later this week...i have school full time (highschool) and I work most nights. That was my idea, also; too much heat. He did have an exhaust leak by the manifold, which i think may have something to do with it. Whoever he bought the car from must have broken those studs because there's only about 3 or 4 still left on the manifold, which we are replacing. any other ideas??

 

[tech27]

was the color definitlley white or was there a sort of greenish tint to it because I have repaired quite a few where they were in similar shape and turned out to have head gasket that was blown between the water galleys and exhaust valves thus allowing coolant to escape into the turbo and exhaust system just an idea if you have pics that could help i dont wanna say rip off the heads just yet until your definitley sure it has a greenish tint to it

 

[GSX26]

thanks for the tip, ill check it out when i get a chance to get over there, just got home from work and hes workin til 10 or so...

 

[wimploki]

alright everyone, I just got back from my buddies house. We took his turbo out because it was blown, and we inspected it. The exhaust turbine wheel (I think that's what it's called) is completely white. Shouldn't it be more like black if anything? So I was curious as to what that meant, or was a symptom of. Also, the wheel wouldn't even spin. He had purchased a used 14b to replace it with, which turned out to be something weird. A t3 exhaust housing with a 14b compressor housing with a 16 compressor wheel. So that's no good. But he's buying a evo anyways. But back onto topic, there was also something else messed up in the exhaust housing. The whole thing was cracked and, it's hard to explain, but like eaten away almost. The exhaust manifold shared similar problems. It's a 1990 tsi awd. I was wondering if thats common for a car with 120k on the clock, or if there's something internally wrong on the engine? Any help or pointers are appreciated. We don't want to strap the evo up there to have it fail the exact same way. Thanks

The exhaust turbine wheel is white or powdery white? I've seen this before. This would be a sign of an engine running lean. It might of been overboosted without proper supporting mods or improper air/fuel mixture tuning.

As for Evo (asssuming Evo 3)...Great choice.

 

[91gsxboosted]

alright everyone, I just got back from my buddies house. We took his turbo out because it was blown, and we inspected it. The exhaust turbine wheel (I think that's what it's called) is completely white. Shouldn't it be more like black if anything? So I was curious as to what that meant, or was a symptom of. Also, the wheel wouldn't even spin. He had purchased a used 14b to replace it with, which turned out to be something weird. A t3 exhaust housing with a 14b compressor housing with a 16 compressor wheel. So that's no good. But he's buying a evo anyways. But back onto topic, there was also something else messed up in the exhaust housing. The whole thing was cracked and, it's hard to explain, but like eaten away almost. The exhaust manifold shared similar problems. It's a 1990 tsi awd. I was wondering if thats common for a car with 120k on the clock, or if there's something internally wrong on the engine? Any help or pointers are appreciated. We don't want to strap the evo up there to have it fail the exact same way. Thanks

The exhaust will be a lot hotter if it is running to lean. If he had the boost cranked, and didn't have the fuel to back it up, that was probably the cause.
-joey

 

[GSX26]

he has not boost controller on it, he just bought the car. it doesn't appear that there was once a mbc on it, but it's always a possibility. Maybe a fuel leak? We'll check it all out tomorrow and I'll hopefully get some pics up.

 

[boostintalon96]

I can take a look at it, I live in dousman. Feel free to give me a call 262 719 5110
Josh

 

[crankbender]

Normally the system would be black....usually very black. The 90 TSI was mapped down to something like 9:1 AFR during high boost which will result in a LOT of carbon.

A white exhaust is a sign of the system running lean or having a water injection system...possibly both. As stated before if he boosted without the proper fuel mods he may have lifted the head/blew the gasket and resulted in water entering the combustion chamber. This will have a tendency to clean out all the old carbon allowing the signs of the lean running current condition to show through.

Do not be supprised if this has happened. It is not uncommon for someone to remove all evidence of modifications before selling the car.

 

[97EclipseGS-T]

well its definatly heat, for something to cracked like that....especially a tough metal...mmmmhhh? just for sh!ts and giggles, were there any broken studs on the turbo?

 

[GSX26]

alright, thanks for the help guys. I'm going to do a compression test on it tonight, maybe we'll find the suspected head gasket blown! Hm...we'll see

 

[GSX26]

Alright, since his car is in pieces, we couldn't really take it for a run before a compression test. For shits and giggles, we did a cold compression test. Resluts are 105, 120, 135, 140. Did each a few times and they were almost dead on each time. Seems to me that they're low because of the cold, but i think they should atleast be within 5 of eachother, like they should be. Is this correct, or does the cold throw everything off? Also the plugs were covered in white. I am leaning way towards HG and possibly more internal damage. I'm trying to convince him to build his 6 bolt when we tear it apart too! Let me know what your guys diagnoses' are.