Robert Jacklin

I would appreciate some advice.
I've got a 93 FD I've owned for nine years.
46,000 miles ago I had Hayes Rotary rebuild the motor.
It's been running fine.
Just had it in for plugs and oil change. Plugs didn't indicate any oil problem.
They also put in some injector cleaner.
Compression checks at 100PSI. Middle of OK range.
Starts easy, idles smooth.
Ever since rebuild its used about 1 qt of oil per 7-800 miles. I mentioned this to Hayes and they felt it wasn't their rebuild, probably the oil meter pump. Oil is cheaper than pump so I've left it alone. Since its been this way for 46,000 miles I figured it was pump.

I've just noticed when I pass 4,500rpm there is a noticeable trail of smoke behind me!! When I operate below these rpms no smoke.

Smoke appears blueish, and water level remains full so I'm thinking oil. Does not appear dark enough to be gas. No noticeable engine miss at those rpms.

Hoping it's not fatal, and I realize these engines aren't noted for long lives is it possible that at higher rpms the oil metering pump is over-dosing oil. If so would this be a pump or computer problem.

Can the injector cleaner be having this effect. It seems like a long shot but has anyone heard of this before?

Since it comes on at about when the second turbo is kicking in is it possible it has an oil leak that happens then? I don't use the second turbo all that often so I doubt if it would fail before the first one.

I'll monitor oil consumption carefully and at least continue to run it through a fresh tank of gas if it continues to run smoothly and engine temps stay good.

I'd appreciate hearing ideas or from anyone who recognizes the symptoms or has some ideas.

Thanks
Bob

sevensix

iTrader: (1)

2ndary turbo? must be leaking. how many miles on them

BlueTII

There are 2 major things that it could be.

1. The secondary turbo is blowing oil, most of the time when turbos are bad the the car will smoke after you let off the throttle. The higher oil pressure at the higher rpms could be blowing by the seals in the turbo.

2. The oil control seals in the engine. You can test this by holding the rpms above 4500 while in nuetral, this takes the turbos out of the equation. Again the higher oil pressure at the higher rpms causes the oil to blow by a weak oil control seal.

Robert Jacklin

The Turbos have about 67K on them.

In neutral I can run the engine up and almost exactly at 4400 rpm the smoke starts. You feel that it means an engine seal.

How is it that running it up in neutral eliminates the turbo's for consideration?

Thanks for reply.

Bob

s-thetikz

iTrader: (1)

in neutral your car doesn't engage the turbos.

sevensix

iTrader: (1)

leaky oil control seals = almost time for rebuild?

tiger18

iTrader: (1)

I still wouldnt rule out the 2nd turbo,,,mine does exactly the same thing and i just rebuilt my engine only 2 months ago. try pulling off the turbos and examining the 2nd turbo for signs of oil (in both the exaust and air compressor housings). (i beleive its more likely to be the turbo than the oil control rings)

Robert Jacklin

Thanks everyone. I'll take easiest route first. Look for oil in induction piping.

Bob

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

I would do it this way: lift the front end, and remove the rear (secondary) turbo inlet pipe. You may need to remove some intake piping first. If it's blown, I would expect to see oil accumulating or leaking at this joint, where the oil accumulates in that pipe and drains out at the bottom near the gasket. Moist or a light coating of oil is normal, puddles are not.

Then gently move the turbo compressor - look for side-to-side movement, but more importantly look for in-out (axial) movement. A little side-side play is normal, provided it doesn't touch the sides. The axial play is typically what results in oil leakage and smoke.

Unfortunately FD turbos don't rebuild well. I would look for some good low mileage twins with minimal manifold cracking. 99 spec is a plus. If you're shopping on eBay, there are good deals to be found, but be careful - many are bad photos, sellers don't actually know the mileage, or they are selling Cosmo turbos which don't fit.

It may help to run a 20w-50 oil in the meantime, which won't blow through as quickly as a 10w-30.

Dave