Hey guys,

I think my turbo oil seals are bad.

Symptoms:

1.When I start the car there is a little cloud of smoke.
2. When I start to boost white smoke come out.
3. After I park the car there is a bunch of oil that drips from the stock air box
a. I took the airbox out and it looks like there is oil spitting out from the air box piping into the airbox and the oil is dripping through the air filter into the bottom of the airbox and then from there onto the ground

Things that confuse me:

1. After I boost for a few times there is not more white smoke.
2. The turbos still pull hard

Also, I took off the air box and revved the engine and oil was spitting out from the air piping.

Is my assumption correct that my turbos are going bad, or are my turbos fine and there is a blockage somewhere so the oil is spitting out into the air box?

Thanks

 

I think your turbos are torched or you've massively over-filled the system.

 

If a system gets overfilled, any guess on how long the issues will remain once drained to a proper level?

 

The first time i noticed this issue is when I got an oil change. SilverTRD suggested that I check the oil level so I ended up draining the oil to 3/4 of the dipstick. I have driven it a total of 4 to 5 miles since then.

 

Eh, less than 10 miles. Theres bound to be some residual oil in the charge system, but it shouldn't be nearly as impressive at this point(like not dripping through the filter box).

 

Okay I am pretty sure it is the turbos. I just checked my oil level and it is at than half on the dip stick.
Now my engine light is ON. fun stuff

 

Pull the code. You can also have a bad pcv valve. That will cause the crankcase to be pressurized and push oil out. I usually eliminate them and run a catch can.

 

I never considered the PCVI will pull the code today. Would a bad pcv valve cause a puddle of oil on the ground after 4 mins of driving and boosting to 6k rpm 4 times?

 

You can also physically check the valve. From F-124...

1 . Warm up the engine to the normal operating temperature and run it at idle.
2. Disconnect the PCV valve with the ventilation hose.
3. Block the PCV valve opening.
4. Verify that vacuum is felt.
5. Remove the PCV valve.
6. Blow through the valve from port A and verify that air comes out of port B.
7. Blow through the valve from port B and verify that no air comes out of port A.
8. Replace the PCV valve if necessary.

where port B is the short end.

Deleting the valve and running a catch can on my track car resulted in nearly a catch can full of oil every other run. Some recommend only running 3/4 oil on your dipstick.

 

Definitely worth checking, although you would've needed a crazy test drive to get down to 1/2 oil from pcv failure.....I think......

 

Thanks guys. I will check this out and update the thread.

 

UPDATE:

I pulled the code. It is code 11. It is the Intake Air Thermosensor (AFM). Might be bad due to engine oil on the sensor??

I checked the PCV and it is working just right. air comes out one way and not the other.

 

Make sure the pcv flows only into the intake manifold, not back into the oil neck. The stock intake temp sensors do occasionaly fail though oil shouldn't cause it. I have fast-acting ones in stock.

 

This is the same problem I'm facing right now except there is no oil spitting out of the air filter area after taking the filter off (mine is a single turbo). I've got this problem after overfilling the system (but brought back to normal level after some 10 miles of driving). I'm assuming seals are bad for my turbo though.

 

https://www.rx7club.com/single-turbo...lained-727476/

After reading this I think I understand what happened to both of our turbos. When our oil was overfilled, there was too much oil being pressurized in the turbos, more than the draining system can handle, so that pressure busted the seals.

I am sure one of the more turbo knowledgable guys can explain it better or if I am wrong they can correct me.

 

Based off this and personal experiences, I would assume the seals in your turbo is dying out. For me it was oil, then the coolant seals broke, smoke screen attack*. Super Mario Kart anyone?

 

Update: I took off the old turbos and the primary turbo had a lot of in and out play and side to side play. The secondary had zero in and out play and minimal side to side play.

I installed the new turbos but I have not completed the airbox and misc. parts in the engine bay. Hopefully, I will get that done this weekend and take the car for a spin. I will be very mad if the turbos were not the issue lol

 

A little side to side is normal

There should be no play in or out

3/4s on the dip stick is fine for the street but I wouldn't go any higher than that. If you track your car or autox I'd recommend no more than 1/2 way up the dip stick.

I think you nailed it with the turbos