Smoking Turbo at 95k

[feldm4n]

This just started happening two weeks ago. I pulled into a parking lot and smoke started coming out of exhaust and under the hood, smells like oil for sure. It seeped through the vents as well. Happened again today after dental appointment. Stopped at a light and sure enough started smoking. The minute I start moving though it stops. No leaks under the car. Oil level looks fine as well.

I let car idle after these two times and no smoke at all even after extended idle. It appears it only happens when creeping at slow speed. Minute you start moving again it stops. It doesn't happen at every creep or stop though either.

WOT I get a nice little plume but I always thought it was just fuel burning off. Could only ever see it at night in lights behind me.

I have a feeling it's turbo seal related. I purchased a restrictor bolt from JBR and will install this weekend with some 5w40 and see what the outcome is. I am wondering if I caught it in time and if this will help save the seals?

Does this sound like a turbo seal issue to you faggots?

Edit: Anyone have a restrictor bolt install link, with pictures? Appears 2010 crash took down the pics for install.

[Jdab]

How-To: Install oil restrictor bolt (complete guide)

U wot m8?

[CWP_MS3]

Well, you know... There's only one reasonable and logical thing to do here....

[feldm4n]

Haha thanks for the posts guys.

So I put the JBR restrictor bolt on today and did oil change with 5w40 and no more smoking so far

For those who stumble across this thread with the same symptoms.

I installed the bolt from James Barone Racing. Quality bolt I might add. It's just a bolt but it threaded in perfect and everything else. Just note that the stock 14mm bolt head you take off is not the same as the JBR bolt. You will need a 19mm socket for JBR bolt.
Here is link to it: JBR DISI Turbo Oil Restrictor Bolt Kit [DISI-RBOLT] - $36.25 : James Barone Racing, Aftermarket Performance

As JDAB pointed out the link above is what I used. Great instructions and even better pictures. Took me a bit under an hour to complete. I also tightened down anything boost related while I was in there.

Once I was done I started it up I watched smoke billow out of my exhaust which, was worse than it ever was. I took it down the street and left a smoke screen but after about three hundred yards it cleared up. I made it a point to stop at a bunch of lights and Starbucks to grab a drink in a 20 minute line, and no smoke.

Note if you use WD40 for the heat shield bolts, that smoke will be occurring too when warm.

I feel that I might have gotten to this just in time. If you have these issues, get it done. No point in risking blowing the seals for sure and having to get a new turbo if you don't need to. Install was easy, and anyone with wrench time will be all set.

Tools I used: 10mm, 8mm, 12mm, 14mm, and 19mm sockets. Can of WD40 or something like it. Grab a clean rag to stuff in the turbo opening so you don't get a bunch of shit in there etc. Easy enough. Hope this helps someone in the future.

[Jdab]

Glad the bolt and oil did the trick. Worked for me at 128k miles, still holding strong at 135k.

[MSMS3]

About to give it a try. Just started with classic "smoking turbo" symptoms at 135,000 miles. Placed order today with JBR. Hope it works.

[feldm4n]

Ugh, hate to report back but things got worse after a 120 mile round trip drive. No oil until I returned home and smoke started again out exhaust. Chalked it up to turbo again.

Took it out for a spin the next day and turn air vents on without re-circulation and stopped at a light white smoke started coming in through the vents? Smells like oil to me. Got it home asap and then it had a rubber burning smell as well... like I thought there was a fire under the hood or such.

Anyone know if that rubber smell has anything to do with the seals etc? I am at a loss right now as to whether it is the turbo or not and need some help with this. Have had a shit ass couple of weeks and this is helping none.

I have looked up all threads I could here and don't see any turbo seals related to white smoke with an oil smell coming through the hvac system into the cab. I have read where if it's white smoke it has been said it is coolant, but my coolant level is unchanged. The smoke is white for sure but I do not see a blue color to it at all.

I also put that rotella t6 5w40 in after the bolt installed. Noticed black soot coming out of the exhaust as well before I took it out for that short bout. Soot stopped after a few minutes and chalked it up to the rotella scrubbing some carbon out.

Basically need to know if these are symptoms a of a shot ass turbo, I am at a loss.

Edit:
So assuming this is the turbo, I believe I will be purchasing a BNR S3 turbo to replace. Might go meth as well. Shit thing is I live in California and trip about smog for the vehicle. Look forward to some replies on this for sure.

[MSMS3]

Originally Posted by MSMS3 About to give it a try. Just started with classic "smoking turbo" symptoms at 135,000 miles. Placed order today with JBR. Hope it works.

Installed the JBR banjo bolt three days ago. Total time from opening the hood to closing it was 25 minutes, some of that spent fishing with a magnet for two intercooler fasteners that spun off and dropped onto the undertray before I could catch them.

So far, so good. Don't yet know. Maybe I caught it early enough.

[Varomnia]

Same for me as well, however my problem isn't fixed, however, I've got my tune to high rpm so I never see it anymore.

[jackspivey2]

Smoking turbo showed up this week @ 107k. Guess I'll try the bandaid bolt and 5w-40 to get me past Christmas...

[Design]

Originally Posted by feldm4n Ugh, hate to report back but things got worse after a 120 mile round trip drive. No oil until I returned home and smoke started again out exhaust. Chalked it up to turbo again. Took it out for a spin the next day and turn air vents on without re-circulation and stopped at a light white smoke started coming in through the vents? Smells like oil to me. Got it home asap and then it had a rubber burning smell as well... like I thought there was a fire under the hood or such. Anyone know if that rubber smell has anything to do with the seals etc? I am at a loss right now as to whether it is the turbo or not and need some help with this. Have had a shit ass couple of weeks and this is helping none. I have looked up all threads I could here and don't see any turbo seals related to white smoke with an oil smell coming through the hvac system into the cab. I have read where if it's white smoke it has been said it is coolant, but my coolant level is unchanged. The smoke is white for sure but I do not see a blue color to it at all. I also put that rotella t6 5w40 in after the bolt installed. Noticed black soot coming out of the exhaust as well before I took it out for that short bout. Soot stopped after a few minutes and chalked it up to the rotella scrubbing some carbon out. Basically need to know if these are symptoms a of a shot ass turbo, I am at a loss. Edit: So assuming this is the turbo, I believe I will be purchasing a BNR S3 turbo to replace. Might go meth as well. Shit thing is I live in California and trip about smog for the vehicle. Look forward to some replies on this for sure.

Sounds like an external leak to me. Check for oil residue around the turbo/DP. It's probably getting burned off but should leave some evidence behind.

That's my best guess for now...

[MSMS3]

Well, guys, it was too good to be true. The JBR banjo bolt seemed to work for a few days, but during a 400 mile road trip the infamous "smoke at idle" has returned. Prolonged stops at traffic lights brought it back. Not saying it can't help others. Maybe need to preemptively install it before the seals give up the ghost?

I'm already +200 idle rpm and running Rotella T-6. I doubt I have any other inexpensive options.