A friend of mine just bought a 93 touring w/ a bunch of problems. The car smokes really bad at start up and continues to smoke (but to a lesser extent) once warmed up. The car has no vacuum leaks but will not boost above 3 psi. The engine still starts up fine both warm and cold though.
My guess is that the car just has a blown turbo. What can I do to be sure?

 

Compression test will tell you how healthy the engine is (or isn't).

 

 

What kind of smoke is it? If it's thick, white coolant smoke, then a compression test may not show it. But the compression test is still worth doing first.

A coolant system leakdown test and testing for hydrocarbons in the coolant are what to do next if it seems the coolant seals are shot but compression is good.

Dave

 

I don't think it's coolant smoke, I blew a coolant seal on my TII and I could tell by the smell. His car also doesn't lose water so I think his coolant seals are ok. I will test the compression as suggested, but is there any other way way to tell whether the smoke is coming from the turbo or the engine?

 

Check the hoses and couplings (and the intercooler) between the turbos and the throttle body. There will normally be some oil in these areas, but big puddles means the smoke is from the turbos leaking excessive oil.

 

You sure there's no vac leaks? If the car starts & idles fine cold and hot, I don't think the motor is the culprit. What does the smoke smell like and the color? Does it smell heavily of gas?

 

It won't tell him anything about the oil control rings, which are the reason why a motor will burn oil internally... It will tell him if the apex seals, etc. are good which has nothing to do with smoking..

 

There's a lot of things a compression test "won't" tell you, but it's the best place to start with any rotary in which you have no idea of the history of the car.