turbo seal.....coolant.

[Shelby_Daytona]

hello,
i had mty car out yesterday (just -rebuilt- motor) and the temp guage got up quite high, so i stopped, let it cool off and topped up the coolant. it was a bit low, i am not sure if this is due to loss somewhere, though i know ther are no leaks, or if i didnt top it off enough. It seemed fine after, and i drove it home. The next day i took it out, and everything seemed fine, until the temp got up, then it started to puff a bit (noticable) of white smoke. Under idle, it is puffin more than at rpms. i was thinkin head gasket, but it has....like 50 kms on it, wtih a new head, so no i am thinkin maybe turbo seals. The motor still runs strong and the car still pulls as hard, and makes boost, btu i wonder if the coolant is being lost in the turbo. Any suggestions?
thanks

[lametec]

There is no coolant seal in the turbo.

Only way for coolant to burn in the turbo is if you have a cracked center cartridge.

[Shelby_Daytona]

really...well that makes me feel better, as the chances of finding a new turbo are alot harder than finding a head gasket. So, do you think the head gasket is shot then? Is that possible in only 50 or so km? It was hot. I will tell you that. I called the shop and they siad that if it overheated it wotn be covered, and that makes sense, so i think i will be on my own to replace whatever is wrong. How do i tell? Can the plugs tell me anything? thanks.
oh yeah, and it only smokes when it is warm. no smoke when cold. Thanks for all of your help PER.

[GovtContact]

Had the same thing happen to me not to long ago. Loosing coolent, white smoke...Soon came burning oil, then a solid cloud of oil smoke.

I sent my turbo into Majestic Turbo in Texas. They did great work, good price and the turn around was only a day or so. (Check out the thread Grand National...Will it work? for a run down on the work done and the link to their web page)

If your not burning oil yet, I recommend not driving the car unless absolutly needed. When the oil starts burning, it goes quickly. This results in the turbine shaft getting chewd up which will cost more [green]$$$[/green]

[GovtContact]

Its easier to pull the head off to get at the turbo. So you may as well change the head gasket while your at it. With the car warm (smoking) check under the hood around the turbo and see if you can see any smoke/steam coming from this area. Also check for leaks around the cartidge. The only way I know of verifying that it is the turbo is once the turbo is removed, see if there is any play in the shaft (wiggels or is loose).

Good Luck...

[lametec]

[quote]Originally posted by Shelby_Daytona
really...well that makes me feel better, as the chances of finding a new turbo are alot harder than finding a head gasket. So, do you think the head gasket is shot then? Is that possible in only 50 or so km? It was hot.
Absolutely. Maybe the head was a little warped and it didn't seal. Maybe a headbolt didn't torque right.


I called the shop and they siad that if it overheated it wotn be covered, and that makes sense, so i think i will be on my own to replace whatever is wrong.
Not if the overheating was caused by their mistake.

How do i tell? Can the plugs tell me anything?
Yes. You might be able to see the plug is wet. Also, if you quickly pull the plugs after it starts smoking, you will probably see steam coming from one or more cylinders. Some dicoloration of the plug (white/green) can also be seen sometimes.

oh yeah, and it only smokes when it is warm. no smoke when cold.
Pressure has to build in the cooling system before it gets forced into the cylinders.

[lametec]

Quote:

Originally posted by GovtContact Had the same thing happen to me not to long ago. Loosing coolent, white smoke...Soon came burning oil, then a solid cloud of oil smoke.

Unless your center cartridge is cracked, there's no way coolant will burn in the turbo.

[Shelby_Daytona]

would it have less power with a bad head gasket? The power is jsut as good as ever, so i was wondering if you would notice it in the driveability. That makes sense about the pressuer in the system and the white smoke after it warms up. Thanks

[lametec]

With a small leak you probably wouldn't notice a difference. With a totally blown gasket you'll notice a big difference.

[squirrel]

Quote:

like 50 kms on it, wtih a new head,

How new? was it a remaned unit? That is not new. sometimes they have their flaws... If you overheated it and it was due to a flaw in workmanship such as a punctured hose or such then they would absolutely warranty it. Who installed the head? I would do it under warranty mainly because the head remanufacturer would end up paying my labor anyway. As soon as the guage rose past half way you shut it off and pulled off the road and had it towed... That's your story right? If you tell them you ran it hot and drove it 15 miles then it won't go over well. I have had a bad turbo once before though but it is fairly uncommon. All it takes is one overheat to blow a head gasket. Depends on how bad she whent up.

[Shelby_Daytona]

it was supposed to be a new head. i am hoping that it isnt cracked and that it is the head gasket, but i dont know.