Hi All, well, I have my new zed project car in the garage and have started looking over what needs to get done. My main start area is the engine. I bought the car knowing that there was a problem with smoke coming from the exhaust (from what I have seen on short runs it looks to be a white colour.) and a slight oil leak. The car has been sitting around for a good 12 months nearly, just have the engine started on a weekly basis. I was told it was a turbo problem, but I am swaying to gasket problem or both. Now my aim is to get it back and running properlly My question is, what would be the best method of attack, to firstly diagnose the problems? Secondly what would I need to get? top end gasket kit, turbo seals, etc? I will be doing the work myself. Any help would be most appreciated
I had the same problem with my TT, white smoke pouring out of the exhaust...compression tested the engin..there was a variation of 30% ..not good..first thought was a blown head gasket...so, engine out and heads off...head gaskets were fine...but bores showed some blowby...turbos showed a lot of oil in the waste gates...so rebuild or new turbos. Now its new rings, bearings, turbos ect...all good
when are you getting the smoke?? at start up untill it warms.. under acceleration.. all the time? what other symptoms.. temp?, oil pressure? these things will give people a better idea of what may be wrong and help diagnose easier
smoke I bouoght the car some 6 month ago, standard, no mods, 90k on the clock, did the usual things, 100k sevice etc..all good..I left the car standing for 3 weeks and when I got back and started it It run on 4 pots only..jerking and bobbing about...I fiddled with the PTU1 ( old type) same thing..I cleaned the coolant sensor and woha..she runs on all 6 again...I hopped in and go for a spin..white smoke started pouring out at the drivers side exhaust ( exh has no balance pipe ) lots of it, then it went away and all was ok... Next day the same.. start, warm up lots of smoke but from both exhausts...with a little bit of blueish-black..this time it did not stop smoking...so I decided to do a compression check..1,3 and 5 155-160 except number 2,4 and 6 ...105-110psi (passengers side bank) Two pots next to each other usually means a blown head gasket... I got the engine removed..head gaskets were ok...etc.. However, both turbos have quite a bit of oil in the waste gates...I guess that explains the smoking.. Smoked at start when getting warm and also when hot. just a whisp of smoke when idling, lots when accelerating Oil pressure a bit low..later found worn big end bearings PCV valves where stuck..one open one closed Temperature a little high but not alarmingly so IMHO white smoke can be either coolant in the combustion -blown head gasket Or, Oil getting sprayed into the hot exhaust...flash burn? I also think when the rings are worn and one gets too much blowby, unburned fuel would get into the engin oil and thin it down ? My engine showed only 105-110psi on three cylinders Head and valves were not worn. Spark plug color is healthy..maybe a little on the lean side
Terry, I would ask yourself what long term goals you have for the motor as I know this isn't going to be a daily driver for you. If you intend on upgrading turbos or doing much performance mods then I wouldn't really bother trying to patch up what you have. Pull the motor out and get it rebuilt. While the motor is out you will be able to have the turbos checked out easily. With how the exchange rate is going I would seriously look into a package deal (long block + turbos) from the US. If you can't afford it now, then at least buy a rebuild kit. How soon do you want the car running and how much do you want to spend, they are the key questions.
Well, so far, when you first start it up all seems okay, you let it run for a while and it starts to have a little smoke. When you rev the engine a bit then it puffs out the smoke. I know the timing belt was changed not to long ago. The car has 100ks and belt was done at 84k The previous owner said they thought it was a turbo seal or blown turbo? could this be the case? the engine does run quite smoothly not hopping around or rough ?
Hey Kurt, I have been looking at the rebuild kit for now. as well as the 100,000 service kit. I know the timing belt has been done 15k ago and have been told its the turbo. I think i should start by getting the compressions tested to see where I stand. then go from there.
Worn turbo seals show themselves at start up. From what I understand oil seeps passed the cold worn seals and when you start up it gets burnt off. In the early days that's all that happens and is no real problem. As the engine heats up (a couple of minutes) smoking stops and you don't see it again until the next cold start. They can work fine in this condition for years.
i think the same with valve stem seals when worn.. when left for extended periods of time oil seeps past into the combustiion chamber, you end up with oil/smoke out the exhaust(either side or both ) until the it warms up and seals up again. and that oil gets burnt off then all seems fine.. untill you park it for a few days
Before you go spending up big check the exhaust has a balance pipe fitted , if not spend bugger all to get one fitted as thats all it might be. Cheers Dave
Happened on mine and was going to rebuild turbos until some one told me to check. I think it has something to do with balancing the pressure waves in the exhaust ?as with out it some how it affects the turbo seal. I paid the exhaust bloke $30 extra to fit one when he was putting new mufflers on. He said it wouldn't make a differance IT DID . You learn something new every day. A i said worth a look as someone posted a response to a post of mine about a year ago. Just stick your head under the car and check if it has a balance pipe , if not it may be the problem ?. Cheers Dave
Here you going .... http://www.aus300zx.com/forum/showthread.php?p=696396&highlight=smoking#post696396
