smokin like a freight train

Topic: smokin like a freight train (Read 2149 times) previous topic - next topic

smokin like a freight train

Reply #15 – June 14, 2009, 08:41:45 PM

Well, if you put the timing back to TDC, does it still smoke? It's probably just a strange coincidence between the smoking and the bump in timing. Bumping the timing that much will change the vacuum though.
The oil coming out of the weep hole in the wastgate actuator is just what's been blown into the line from the turbo.
That much oil in the compressor side of the turbo is caused by either a bad turbo oil seal, a turbo oil drain line issue, or a valve cover breather issue.
Did you ever plug the breather line location on the turbo inlet and run the breather line into a temporary catch can? Do that and see what happens. That would eliminate one of the possible sources. Clean the intercooler, vam hose, and the turbo inlet elbow, plug the breather inlet location in the inlet elbow, and run the breather into something like a 20oz pop bottle. Take the car for a short drive, get on it a few times, and see how much oil is in the pop bottle when you get back. Be sure to put the bottle somewhere it won't melt (ask me how I know). If it's empty, or has very little residue in it, and there is once again oil in the compressor side of the turbo, it's time to look at the other possibilities.
If the pop bottle has alot of oil in it, you've got a breather/blowby problem.

smokin like a freight train

Reply #16 – June 15, 2009, 12:35:00 PM

rog, thanks. I pulled the intake off this weekend to remove the seperator. It was full of so MAYBE, fingers crossed that was the problem. I had to order intake gaskets so they will be in today. When pulling the intake, I totally forgot about the coolant! Luckily it was just water and Royal Purple water wetter.

So, just say it is blow-by...what would cause that and where would that kind of pressure come from?

smokin like a freight train

Reply #17 – June 15, 2009, 05:53:41 PM

Blow by is when combustion pressure gets past your rings, which is why its called "blow by"

The catch can setup I described typically helps with this situation. I had a similar issue, I ran the setup I described, and it completely stopped smoking, other than start up.

smokin like a freight train

Reply #18 – June 16, 2009, 10:23:24 PM

ok, I got it all back together and it is still smoking even with the catch can. This time however, I have fresh oil coming out of the hole on top of the turbo and in the VAM hose. The manual boost control lines are clear and there was nothing in the catch can. So I guess that leaves what...the turbo seal? How do I fix that? Could an oil line be plugged?

smokin like a freight train

Reply #19 – June 16, 2009, 10:31:35 PM

What hole on top of the turbo are you refering to? Do you mean the outlet that goes to the intercooler? The drain line could be plugged, but I seriously doubt that. Too much oil pressure to the turbo could cause the oil also. But if you've done no work to the drain line or the pressure line, you can probably rule that out. I would have to go with turbo oil seals. How many miles are on that turbo? Everyone says rebuilding the IHI probably isn't worth it. Its just as cheap and easy to switch to a T3. I just did after the original IHI puked an oil seal. Let's face it, if you've got to pull the turbo, you may as well upgrade while your at it.

smokin like a freight train

Reply #20 – June 24, 2009, 08:52:03 PM

well i swapped in a new IHI(well used but new to me) and put everything back together. Now the problem is it wont idle. I can keep it running with the throttle but it sputters and dies as soon as i let off. I have checked the fuel, electrical connectors and vacuum lines but I cant find anything wrong. The bottom hose of the intercooler has some small splits, but I dont think that's it. Any ideas? Help!? :D
it was running okay before i swapped the turbo(aside from the smoke anyway).

smokin like a freight train

Reply #21 – June 24, 2009, 11:49:37 PM

Sounds like you have a vacuum leak somewhere. Make sure the hose from the VAM to the turbo is on properly. They like to hang up when you're putting them on. Run your hand underneath by the VAM oulet and the turbo inlet to make sure they're on correctly. Also go over everything twice and make sure you hooked all the lines back up.

smokin like a freight train

Reply #22 – June 25, 2009, 01:23:14 PM

Jangus the Genius...the hose was hung up on the very bottom. thanks for that. It was nearly 100 degrees in the garage so I wasnt in the best moods for details. Oh, and my wife says a BIG thanks as well since I've been driving her car all week!:D

smokin like a freight train

Reply #23 – June 25, 2009, 01:26:22 PM

oops...

smokin like a freight train

Reply #24 – June 27, 2009, 10:39:03 AM

No genius involved. Just been there, done that. Hows it run now?

smokin like a freight train

Reply #25 – June 29, 2009, 05:26:39 PM

runs very nice. it actually has a noticeable kick, far more than the other turbo seemed to have.

smokin like a freight train

Reply #26 – June 30, 2009, 04:26:56 PM

Is it possible that the oil seals in the turbo are leaking. My car made a tone of smoke off idle when the seal in the turbo went out. Full throttle still smoked but not near as bad.

smokin like a freight train

Reply #27 – July 01, 2009, 09:23:02 PM

Yeah, it's possible. Looks incredibly similar to what my 88 did when the seal finally went completely out. Talk about a mosquito duster!!

smokin like a freight train

Reply #28 – July 02, 2009, 03:22:41 PM

i guess bumping the timing up was the last straw in an already weak turbo seal. it's all good now though after a new turbo. Although my exhaust is cracked.

smokin like a freight train

Reply #29 – July 05, 2009, 03:42:30 PM

Do you mean your exhaust manifold? Pretty common to get them to crack on the #3 exhaust. They rarely ever leak through the crack though. If it does, you can pick one up fairly cheap. If your going to swap yours out, I suggest getting the replacement one ported first. I've done it to mine, the one going on the sons car, and one other one for another guy. Time consuming, but worth it, IMHO.