What are specific symptons of a turbo on it's way out? Does smoke result from bad seals? Is the idle or anything else affected? Any other symptons? Thanks.

 

If your on the freeway, and you get off the gas and a plume of smoke comes out the back, its the turbo. If it smokes in the morning, its the oil seals in the motor.

 

if your intercooler piping is coated in oil on the inside, or if there is lots of play in the turbine (take off TID to check)

 

It just started to happen today. I started the car up after I got out of class and it kind of stumbled, and idled rough like it couldn't breathe. I try to rev it a bit and it was very unresponsive. On top of this, I noticed some grayish smoke, actually a lot, coming out the back After about 20 sec., it started to idle normally again and as I drove off, the smoke cleared. Pulled over to take a look and it wasn't smoking anymore. If I shut the car off for even a minute and turn it back on, the idle sounds funky for a sec and it smokes. I'm scared and confused

 

Started my car up this morning and no smoke. Started up fine without that clogged idling problem I mentioned above. I did this with the radiator cap off to check for bubbles also. That checked out as well. After I got out of class, I started the car and it idled like it wanted to die. When I tried to give it gas, I'd get a little backfire. On top of this, it's smoking pretty bad. I'll be checking the TID later today when I have time. In the meantime, any other suggestions to what it might be? Turbo or anyting else? Thanks.