Hey troubleshoot team, got a smoke problem on the turbo S and could use some ideas. For starters I have an 02' with less than 50,000 miles. I put the Greddy kit on her with HKS controller, inline pro exhaust, test pipe, meth injection, etc. The turbo has been on for about 5K, fully tuned at 12.5 lbs. boost and 300 HP to the wheels.

For a little while now (and progressively seeming to get worse) smoke (whitish/bulish/smells like oil/must be oil) dumps out of my exhaust for about one minute right on startup. When i say dumps, i mean like fills up the parking lot and everyone is staring at me wondering what the heck is wrong with my car. It only does it for instance when i go to the store and come out like 10 or 15 minutes later and start it. It never does it in the garage after it has been sitting all night. It does not matter if i drive it slow or hard, still does it.

Thought it was from not having a catch can but put on an air/oil separator and didn't fix it. Oil levels all seem to be normal.

I assume its the umbrella seals or the turbo seals but just want to be pointed in the right direction. I guess if its the turbo it would be an excuse to upgrade to a ball bearing.

Thanks for all the help and insight.

 

Sounds like weeping valve guide seals. At rest the oil makes its way past the seals dripping down your valves, loading up the top of your pistons/plugs. This causes your initial smoke issue on start up, but wile driving there isn't enough weeping to notice that level of smoke since there is no load up time, just a small amount is being burnt with each comp stroke. This is a common issue with Ap1's more so then 2's. This is one likely scenario but there could be a few others too. Turbo seal related maybe.

 

If the car runs fine otherwise, your return line maybe be blocked.

 

I agree take a visual of you set up. Look for leaking seals on your turbo and check your return line. Most of the time its an easy fix. Keep us updated.

 

take the charge pipe off the turbo and look inside the tubing to see if there is a lot of oil residue on the inner walls.. If there is then it is either a turbo seal or a return line problem.. If not, maybe check what s2000junky stated.. Good luck

 

Good idea pulling off the downpipe, that will be something easy to instpect. I also agree with the valve seal issue as well. Im going to be switching out the retainers for titanium and new springs so i'll just change all of the seals as well to eliminate that possibility. I want to put in a new cam as well but it seems like there isn't really a good one that is much better than stock without potential risk.

Unfortunately i am in Afghanistan right now so can't do any of these great ideas but i think this will help narrow it down when i get home.

Thanks for all the help.

 

Our pleasure man, take care