[Mk2] [Turbo] Lots of oil in the intake pipe *UPDATE - Comp. Test Results*

[FreeFall]

More grief...

Today I took the turbo inlet pipe off [ see http://www.imoc.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=90739 for the reason why ] as I thought it would give me access to disconnect the exhaust manifold from the screamer/external wastegate pipe (it didn't btw just how in the hell do you get to those bolts ) plus I thought I could blow out any crap from the Blitz intake filter.

Anyhoo... when I took the pipe off there was a load of oil in it - at least 15 -20 ml (3 or 4 teaspoon's worth). Now, I know that the cry of 'ringland failure' will be going through some peoples minds but read on... the intake side of the turbo has no oil in whatsoever, the fan blades are shiny and bright without a smudge of black on them. Not taken the turbo -> CC pipe off yet so don't know what's going on that side. The PCV pipe was very oily inside but the thing is, the car hasn't even been started in about 4 weeks and the two weeks prior to that it was started and run for a while but not driven - so no boost, although I did rev it to 4k rpm once warm. I had jacked it up as high as I could get it (highest setting on your average axle stands) just prior to discovering this, but unless the engine is seriously overfilled (it isn't) I can't see this making a difference. There was some 'sludge' stuck to the pipe under the oil, which suggests it had been sitting there for some time, or maybe that has been there a while.

When the gasket did blow again I was about 20 miles from home and I had a fair amount of smoke (grey/blue) coming from the exhaust. Seemed to be mostly from the left pipe (HKS Super drager) which seemed odd.

Worried now that when I finally do get the turbo -> manifold gasket and fit it, I'm going to come across some other hideous issue. I guess a compression/leak down test is in order now to put my mind at rest, unless someone can come up with a feasible reason as to why this might happen.

Grrr - thinking again that I should just break this up, sell the bits and get myself a nice NA. Feckin' cars...



Nick

[FreeFall]

Thought I would post an update - more through boredom than anyone being interested

I may have found the cause of the initial problem, where the turbo to manifold bolts kept falling out - seems the supporting bracket way down the downpipe was loose. Rogue managed to source me a gasket that fitted (thanks guys!) and after much swearing and contorting myself I finally was able to hold up the turbo, line it all up, slip in the gasket and get a turn or two on the (longer) bolts. Was well chuffed and took it out for a spin late last night... only 5 miles and once on full boost.

Today I checked the bolts for tightness again and removed the intake pipe once more, to find another big puddle of oil in the pipe. Looking like I will get a compression tester from Halfrauds this week, which I guess is going to tell me what I already suspect - that somewhere along the line I have a piston failure of some kind

ISTR James @ 3S saying the car was running mighty lean when Ryan remapped it last year, so potentially the damage was done some time ago and is ony now rearing its ugly head. Currently has a 2.2 stroker built by TDi so will be gutted if it now needs rebuilding. Why oh why did I ever get myself into this game?

Nick

[Martin F]

could you not install a catch can and also put filters on the pipes joining the intake...or is that not advisable on a rev 2...


im not quite understanding why this could amount to piston ring failure though i have read this before...


the vent. pipes come from the areas that have oil flow so why would people presume ring land failure...i just don't get it


ring lands are the piston rings i presume

[FreeFall]

could you not install a catch can and also put filters on the pipes joining the intake...or is that not advisable on a rev 2...


im not quite understanding why this could amount to piston ring failure though i have read this before...


the vent. pipes come from the areas that have oil flow so why would people presume ring land failure...i just don't get it


ring lands are the piston rings i presume

I'm no mechanic obviously but as I understand it, the ringlands are the portion of the piston between the rings (compression ring and oil scraper ring?) When these fail, the crank case is pressurised and oil is forced through the PCV pipe and into the inlet pipe. A small amount of oil is inevitable from the vapour passed through the pipe but not as much as I'm seeing. At this rate I don't think a catch can would last 200 miles before it was full I'm also worried that this is a precursor to something more serious about to happen.

It could of course be something else (I've heard leaking turbo or valve seals can cause it) but you can bet that, with my luck, it's going to be expensive

Thanks for looking

Nick

[FreeFall]

OK, so I did the compression test today... warmed up the engine and got this:

Cyl 1 - 175 psi / 12 Bar
Cyl 2 - 172 psi / 11.9 Bar
Cyl 3 - 175 psi / 12 Bar
Cyl 4 - 175 psi / 12 Bar

So, all looking good there I think. Anyone have an idea what I should be checking next? Bearing in mind my limited mechanical knowledge/tools - I don't want to be taking the head off or anything...

Cheers,
Nick

[dreamr2]

Hi
I had exact same problems with my car got loads of oil in intake pipe and smoke comin out of my bov. I had compresson test done and showed bad compresson, But by the test results you got it's all good inside the engine so only other thing i have heard be4 is that its turbo oil seals???/

[FreeFall]

Well, I guess that the next step is to fashion up a temporary catch can and vent the outlet to atmosphere. If the catch can remains dry and the oil appears in the intake again, that points to turbo seals - correct

Pleased it's not looking like a busted piston anyway

Nick

[Martin F]

Well, I guess that the next step is to fashion up a temporary catch can and vent the outlet to atmosphere. If the catch can remains dry and the oil appears in the intake again, that points to turbo seals - correct

Pleased it's not looking like a busted piston anyway

Nick

correct

[Ryan.g]

Is this a t67 and motec m4

Yes the orginal map before its was tweaked by me was running very lean.

I just richened it up for safety and suggested getting a new link g3 or motec which was more sorted for the car IMO

Ryan

[FreeFall]

Is this a t67 and motec m4

Yes the orginal map before its was tweaked by me was running very lean.

I just richened it up for safety and suggested getting a new link g3 or motec which was more sorted for the car IMO

Ryan

Yes, that's the one. What's wrong with the Motec that's on there now? Cost me an arm and a leg that did...

Nick

[DNOS808]

Hi
I really feel for you. I know that sinking feeling when you realise that some thing major may be up with the engine. My mr2 turbo seems to produce alot of smoke from the exhaust so I may well have some big problems to deal with. Hopefully it is only a turbo problem and not a blown engine.

[FreeFall]

Hi
I really feel for you. I know that sinking feeling when you realise that some thing major may be up with the engine. My mr2 turbo seems to produce alot of smoke from the exhaust so I may well have some big problems to deal with. Hopefully it is only a turbo problem and not a blown engine.

Well, I have a compression tester now and am not far from you (just south of Swindon) - pop on by if you want to test it..

Nick

[FreeFall]

I found some time today to test this some more. I fashioned up a crude catch can (from a jam jar with a hole drilled in the lid ). Blocked off the hole in the intake pipe and then went for a short blast. Took it easy until well warm and then gave it a good booting, hitting 1.3 Bar a couple of times. When I let off after booting it there was a fair amount of blue/grey smoke from the exhaust, ditto after I parked up and revved it.

The 'catch can' was completely clean, save a very thin smear of oil but, surprise surprise, there was around a teaspoon of oil in the intake pipe again (I'd cleaned it out prior to setting off).

So, definitely turbo seals then? can't see where else it could come from.

What are my options now? I noticed there was some play in the shaft, not sure how much but more side-to-side than up-and-down (which I believe is normal). I guess it needs a damn good service but not sure who would do this. I know Owens will but I'd rather take the car somewhere and have them take the turbo off, revamp it and then refit. I could probably get it off myself but after my recent 'manifold bolts' problem I know what a pain it is to get it back on when working on your own. Anybody have any recommendations? The closer to Swindon the better really.

Thanks,

Nick

[bri0905]

Why can't owens take it off and overhaul it for you? They are turbo specialists aren't they?

Bri

[FreeFall]

Why can't owens take it off and overhaul it for you? They are turbo specialists aren't they?
Bri

Yeah, I'm sure they could - I haven't asked them yet and was just wondering if anyone had any better ideas.

Calne eh? Just down the road from me (I'm in Bushton). Might see you driving around, I'll be the one in the black tubby with smoke pouring out the back

Nick

[GhostWKD]

if its burning oil keep an eye on that oil level, last thing you want is to run it with little/no oil in there

[FreeFall]

if its burning oil keep an eye on that oil level, last thing you want is to run it with little/no oil in there

Yeah, thanks for that

I'm not using it at the moment, bar test runs. Oil was topped up to just short of max before taking it out the last time. Good advice though

Nick