So I finished doing my emissions removal and putting on the 3" downpipe and exhaust. While I had it apart I had the wastegate ported. Got it back together the other day and it runs, but the turbo smokes externally. It wasn't sweet smelling so I figured it was oil, so I pulled the turbo to check everything and found I was missing the gasket for the oil return line where it mates to the turbo...guess I was more tired than I thought when I put it back on. Anyways, I figure great! thats what was causing the smoke. I made a new gasket from gasket paper and put everything back together. I also made a new one for the oil feed line; it was looking kind of raggedy. I drove it around a little bit and checked it, no smoke. Then I drove across town and when I get there, smoking again

Any idea what is going on/causing this? Obviously something is leaking onto the housing, but why? It was ok when I first put the gaskets on and I checked the feed line this morning and it hasn't loosened or anything. I can take some video/pictures if needed. I made sure to get the gasket paper made for oil, is it maybe not standing up to the heat of the turbo? I can order the actual gasket from the dealer if this is the case I guess, I just wanted to get the car back on the street again ASAP.

 

My s5 turbo's hotside leaks a little smoke through the seal between the housing and center section. I would bet you might have a similar issue.

 

Its not a little smoke though, its enough to come out of the hood scoop and seams at stoplights. It never did this before, there may have been a little smoke that could have been hidden by the heat shields so I couldn't notice, but nothing like this.

 

With gasket paper you could try using some sealant. I bought some stuff from mazdatrix. Look on their website and they will tell you they use this on a lot of gaskets. Also make sure the surface is clean when installing gaskets.

 

Ah I see what you mean. I have black RTV from putting on the block-off plates for the emissions but I didn't trust it for something like the turbo. I think you are talking about Gasgacinch from Mazdatrix. It looks like it should do the job. The Gascacinch website says Napa and Carquest carry it so I'll pick some up tomorrow and try it out...I sure am getting faster at R&Ring the turbo.

 

I had a similar problem. Took off the s4 turbo to find the oil return gasket was blown. So while I had it off I thought, hey why not upgrade to the s5 turbo while im here! Found a local guy, with a wicked deal on a perfect condition jdm s5 turbo for $100! No cracks on the exhaust manifold, not even a **** hair.

 

Correct! I used that product and no problems leaking with gasket paper. If that wont work for some reason. The next step would be NEW factory gaskets. Let us know how it turns out.