1987RX7guy

iTrader: (3)

Hey all, I finally started my TII up and in the end it was really fouled plugs that kept it from starting up. But now that it has run it won't stop smoking. But I have no way to know for sure if it IS indeed the oil seals that have gone out or if it is just the pre-mix gas that is in the tank in conjunktion with the MOP making it smoke. Is there any sure fire way to know if the oil seals are gone? Obviously the apex seals and all that are ok because it sounds bad *** and starts right up.
I am also going to do a second compression test on it to verify the previous compression numbers. Any thoughts about the seals or causes for the smoking would be appreciated guys.


Santiago

Mr. Gadget

I generally run pre-mix and the omp running on all new rebuilds. I don't get the smoking your describing. Wasn't this a used motor?

1987RX7guy

iTrader: (3)

Its a used car that sat for 3 years in a lot. I wasn't expecting it to be perfect in any case. The new compression numbers are: 105 for the front rotor and 110 for the rear rotor. From what I remember 120 is perfect so this is still pretty close to good right?

Mr. Gadget

Close yes. Wearing, yes as well. I thought you rebuilt engines at your place? I know what I would do now - rebuild.

1987RX7guy

iTrader: (3)

We don't do rebuilds at AZ-Tech. We just make stuff to sell. I know most things about N/a's but close to nothing about TII's but I have learned enough to be able to get the TII running. But I just wanted to know if there was any way to tell if it was for sure the oil seals. I am already looking for a place to do the rebuild(physical space not a shop or person) I will be doing my own rebuild with probably the exception of the porting.

Rated R

It could be the seals in your turbo? When they start going it'll be putting smoke out the exhaust.
One way to check the condition of your turbo without taking it off is to remove the intake to the compressor housing of the turbo and reach in. If there's more than a 1mm or so worth of movement backwards/forwards or side to side then the seals are more than likely stuffed.

1987RX7guy

iTrader: (3)

well let me just say this. I am not good at judgning end shaft play but my friend that has a rebuilt hibrid turbo said I have less end shaft play than he does. Therefore I fear that it is the engine itself and not the turbo seals. Ah well yet another interesting plot twist to my project TII. On with the PORTING!!!

Santiago

White_FC

Umm how much smoke are we actually talking about here?
Does it only do it at idle? Your sure its not just burning off some oil left in the exhaust or something similar?

1987RX7guy

iTrader: (3)

The car is running open down pipe. And it ran for about 5 minutes each time I turned it on. I did this about 4 times because I wanted to check things for leaks and such in between. And we are talking about a lot of smoke. You could notice it really bad. Not to mention it doesn't stop or get to be less after it warms up.

White_FC

Start the car, get it to normal temp, then give it a few good strong revs, then let it idle for a few mins and see if its still smoking. Doesn't sound to be like turbo seals, _normally_ they only smoke after the car is warmed up, not as soon as its started from cold.

After sitting for 3years it is quite possible that the oil control rings/springs are stuck a little..

Can you drive the car? If so, give it a good old italian tune up then see if its still smoking.

Templeswain

Yeah, when I did my first rebuild and finally got it started it smoked for at least 20 minutes.

It was like a spy hunter smoke screen.

So five minutes may not be enough.

1987RX7guy

iTrader: (3)

The car isn't drivable without an exhaust. well it is really but I don't want to take it out right now. I would wake up half the people in my area. Besides its not insured or taged under my name yet. Therefore it would be risky.

White_FC

Hahaha i've driven my car without an exhaust many many times.. once I drove around with just a 3in dump pipe off the turbo for around about a month.. driving it everyday.. ahh.. good fun...

Anyway without insurance aint a good idea, so just warm it up in your drive way and give it a few quick bursts of revs pretty high up... then let it idle for a few mins and yeah see if its still smoking.

1987RX7guy

iTrader: (3)

Haha yea. I love the terminology you used though. Italian Tune Up. I need to do this to it ASAP!

VietFC

hahah, i was jus curious... but how did that sound? i'm thinking about doing it cuz all i have is a downpipe rite now. ^_^

White_FC

Sounded great... IMHO...

Pretty loud though.. but the sound as you come onto boost and you can hear the wategate open is just too cool. When I get my car back on the road (Hopefullllly soon....) i'll probably do it again for a while.

I'm not sure what your police are like in your area though.. you might get a bit of a fine for noise polution..

Not very loud at idle at all though..

Yes italian tune ups are rather useful for these sort of circumstances sometimes. I however cannot take credit for this phrase, it's been around since the year dot.

tweaked

iTrader: (4)

I have an n/a with bad oil seals. It only smokes after it warms up because of the thermo pellet... I think.
But, when I do the ATF treatment, I usually have smoke for 30 - 45 minutes, Plus some driving in there.
So you need to let it run for a really long time. But they may be bad too.

rxse7en

Hmmm, correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember the test being something along the lines of:

Let car warm up to operating temp,

in neutral, rev to 4-5k rpm and see if it smokes.

The idea behind that was to wait until the car has warmed up and burnt off all the "Startup" oil. If oil is blowing through at 4-5k RPMs there's a good possibility your seals are going.

B

1987RX7guy

iTrader: (3)

Well I am going to run the car again today for a little longer and see how long I can stand the smoke if I am lucky it may go away. But I doubt it. Is there any way to tell if its the turbo's seals and not the engine besides the shaft play?

Santiago

White_FC

Man this really sounds like you have some oil sitting somewhere in the exhaust or inlet tract to make it smoke when it first starts up.
Thats strange for oil rings or turbo seals, let it warm up fully and give it some really good revs man.

Per chance you havn't put any oil (ATF?) inside the engine while you've had it? maybe the last person did.

Because thats what it really sounds like to me.

1987RX7guy

iTrader: (3)

I put some two stroke in the engine for when I turned it by hand(19mm socket and ratchet) but I don't think it would last this long? I am going to do another start up in an hour or so I will see if it clears up.

White_FC

Dude, you would be suprised how little oil is need for alot of smoke, and how long it lasts, especially 2stroke oil! Ill bet its all pooled up in the exhaust manifold and turbine housing.

Does your car smell like a small outboard boat motor??

trainwreck517

iTrader: (1)

Hmm check oil level?


Of oil seals are gone.. oil should be getting burnt up pretty fast.. so you should be running low on oil after car beenn running for a while.

White_FC

I think the whole point is that he hasn't left the car running long enough to do any measurements..

So... take it outside and let it run for a while 1987RX7guy!

mali_FC

there you go, you don't have cats do you?

having a car with out exhausts that was sitting for 3 years hell it will smoke....heheeh

mine was sitting for about 1 year before I bought it, with cats on it was smoking like MF...lol

but if I were you since you can't drive it on the street or freeway, I would let it run for about 30min in my backyard. to kick all that junk out.
Cause you never know what the other owner did to the car....

good luck!!!

doca