White smoke - could it be the turbo?

[Beat95GST]

I picked up a 95 GST a week ago and have gotten pretty far in getting it going. It seems to run great now, did a compression test after warming it up (needed a new thermostat o-ring) and it's 168 - 172 - 170 - 174. While swapping the injen intake for a stock airbox with stock BOV, I checked play in the turbo. Long story short, this thing is shot and then some, in and out wasn't bad but side to side play was ridiculous, so I shined a light in the compressor inlet and could see where the turbine had hit the housing ever so slightly. Didn't matter since I have an Evo 3 16g headed my way but... I am getting some white smoke coming out of the exhaust and wanted to know if it could be the seals in the turbo. The head is brand new and was just installed about 25 miles ago. Wouldn't a compression test tell me a significant change in cylinders (head gasket)? I'm hoping it's the turbo. What do you guys think?

PS - all plugs looked the same, a very light brown (a little lean if you honestly ask me). No change in smell or anything.

Thanks guys,
Tony

 

[Boosted3s]

It is more than likely the turbo. Oil will get past faulty seal and leak into the turbine housing causing the smoke.

 

[Beat95GST]

Well, I only REALLY see it at night when it's cooler, it's the same kind of smoke (I would think) that you see when you first start the car and it's warming up. It doesn't look blue, I mean when it's hot during the day you can boost it and you can tell it's blowing oil out the tailpipe. Not much oil in the intake system, but you can see it blowing smoke out the ass end.

 

[mschlanglv]

White smoke comes from burned coolant. Your CHRA would litterally have to crack in half to get coolant in the exhaust from the turbo. It does sound like the turbo has seen better days, but that should give you bluish smoke instead.

 

[Beat95GST]

Hmmmmm, will check in a bit, but don't think I'm losing coolant, or at least a significant amount, I'm not sure what's in the exhaust. The car had been sitting for about 4 years before I got it so... Who knows.

 

[Boosted3s]

burning coolant has a sweet smell to it. A bad turbo will cause all of the symptoms that you have, and the turbo is bad so you have to replace it regardless.

 

[evood69]

It could be one of many different things. Head gasket, also another common thing that causes white smoke is either coolant or water getting into the cylinders. Hope this helped some, it doesnt sound like it would have anything to do with the turbo atleast not in my opinion.

 

[Beat95GST]

I'm just ready to smog it and don't wanna waste the time driving it over there just to have it fail because of the piece of crap turbo. In CA they run a test on the dyno @ 15mph then at 25mph, if oil gets into the downpipe it'll jack the hydrocarbon counts way the hell up. Turbo should be here Saturday I think, the install kit from slowboy will probably here next week.

Also, from my experience, the plugs are discolored if there is a decent amount of coolant getting into the chamber. All 4 plugs look identical, compression looks good, nothing really out of the ordinary. Just frustrating.

10:40PM PST - I just went and checked the coolant level, it's still full. I might be losing my mind, it could be grey/blue smoke, I'll check again during the day. Thanks fellas!

Tony