tediis

Hey Folks

I hope i am just being paranoid but this is strating to concern me.

I have a 1993 TT FD3S and have the following mods FMIC, Turbo back Exhaust, BOV.

I have a question regarding the different types of smoke that come out of the car. I am noticing whitish type of smoke coming out the back not a lot just little trickles during idle and when i floor it it squirts out a fair bit of smoke in my rearview.

I have checked the oil and as far as i can tell i am not loosing any. I have checked the oil and there does not seem to be any water globules in it? (so i dont think any gaskets are blown)

I checked the water( coolant) and it was fairly clean ... I did however notice only slightest remnants of oil in the coolant but no big globules just little peaces of residue.

When i sit on idle the car runs rich (the A/f guage reads rich) and there is the slightest bit of blackish vapour coming out the back but it dissapears after a while and then little white puffs of smoke come out once agian only a little.

I am not loosing water, i am not leaking oil the car does the run hot as the Temp guage stays under half.

Is there something wrong wid the car or am i just being paranoid. I am new to rotaries so any help would be highly appreciated.

FormerPorscheGuy

Who wants to break the bad news to him?

High Voltage

I do not know alot about roatery engines so I probly shouldn't comment, but I dont blame you for being paranoied, If i were you I would flush the coolant system and check for oil again there shouldn't be any then drive the car for about 300 miles and check again, if you see any little specs again your head gaskit (however that works on a roatery) may be failing.

wReX

iTrader: (6)

Do you see any bubbles when you look in the coolant filler neck?

EDIT: Do this while the car is running.

adam c

iTrader: (2)

You are right. You should not give advice if you don't know what you are talking about.


You may have a coolant seal problem. If that is the case, you will need a rebuild in the not too distant future. Have it checked by a shop specializing in rotary engines.

tediis

There doesn't seem to be any bubbles in the coolant neck. Although i will check again tonite when i start it cold.

One thing i did notice this morning though (when the car was cool) I opened the radiator cap and the coolant level was full but started to drop (like it was getting sucked in) before it started to get sucked in there was no signs of oil in it. Although arond the neck of the radiator cap there was the slightest bit of oil.

I did this check when the car was switched off and had been sitting over night and it had not been started as yet for the day.

Also the car accellerates very good still, temp guage stays on normal and nothing else appears out of the ordinary i.e. no engine leaks or water leaks that i can see.

I checked the oil and it was about 1-2 mm higher than max but i dont think this over fill would be why it has some smoke coming out the back?? Dunno its beyond me hey... The enging was rebuilt only 10,000ks ago..

FormerPorscheGuy

Head Gasket?

You have a lot to learn grasshopper.

Kento

Well, you haven't mentioned whether the car is running any differently. Is it idling or running poorly, besides this noticeable amount of smoke/steam? I would watch your coolant level; if you do start losing coolant after a while, then it may be a bad sign. Otherwise, it may not be anything to worry about.

A/F gauges always read rich (and most engines usually run slightly rich) at idle. I'd be a bit concerned if it was reading good A/F ratios at idle.

tediis

Steam err no steam can be seen......

The car idles ok upon startup it idles at 2k until warm where it drops to between 850 and 1000ks.

I get the occasional 3k hesitation but that is only on and off. Sometimes however, i do notice that it surges on idle but once again she comes good and idling settles down afetr a while.

the A/F switches between lean and rich during driving and sits on rich at idle nothing seems out of the ordinary

I mean if it was damaged coolant seal wouldn't i see leaking coolant on the ground or something? how do i tel lif the coolant seal is shagged? Is it normal for the coolant level to drop when you open the cap when trhe car is switched off and cold??

Kento

Use the search function and type in "failing coolant seals". That should answer most questions you have at this time.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Standard A/F gauges are pretty much pointless unless you have them connected to a wideband sensor. Unless you have a wideband O2, you can pretty much forget about that gauge's readings.

If you have a coolant seal failure, the smoke at startup will be a thick heavy smoke that will linger around the car like a smoke grenade. If the smoke dissapates fairly quickly, then it's probably just excess condensation in the exhaust or oil. Also, if you have a hard time starting the car on "hot starts", that's another sign of a coolant seal failure.

As for the cloud of smoke while driving, if it's while the turbos are boosting, it may be time for a turbo rebuild.

tediis

the smoke is not thick black smoke it is actually lightish white smoke on startup. and it stinks of fuel pheww

Also on hot days it starts fine no problems with starting up or anything... thats all good.

i am gonna take it to the garage this afternoon and see what they have to say....I just spoke to them and they said its a good car (they have worked on it all the time) and they have no problems with it at all ... But he said bring it in and we'll take a look.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Yes, it will be a blueish white, not black, but it will be a heavy, thick blueish ***** smoke. How long does the smoke last?

When I mean "hot starts", I mean that the car has been running and has gotten to operating temperatures. You stop and shut the car off, and then start it back up before it cools down (i.e. you take a 30 minute drive and go to a store, come back out to go home.. if the car has a hard time starting after it's warmed up then that's a sign of coolant seal failure).

Right now it just sounds like your turbos may be on their way out. However, without being there to see what's actually happening with the car, anything is possible. Take it to the shop and see what they say.

0110-M-P

iTrader: (10)

I really need my new motor and single turbo I have been noticing. I have about every symptom you have described in this thread other than black smoke. I have heavy white smoke on start up, takes a long time to start (hot and cold, but mainly when hot), smoke at WOT and full boost, have felt shaft play on turbos. I am convinced, my turbos are not in top running condition, i have some kind of coolant seal failure, and worn apex seals (sub 6.8 on compression test in january).

Thanks you guys.

tediis

he he Yoour a classic 0110-M-P

I am getting a CO2 test and compression test done this afternoon ... i will inform you of the outcome.

BTW the smoke does not linger for long it just puffs and disapears qikly. I have run it to the point that it is hot and have found that it starts OK. I have even given it a hiding and stopped and started it and yep no problems.

The Turbos were recently flow tested and were found to be fine with a very tiny amount of oil in them ...

But i will get the tests done and let you know the outcome... thanks all for your help.

clayne

I think it's time to put on your O-face

0110-M-P

iTrader: (10)

"oohh ohhhh"

haha

clayne

Don't forget the ringing at the end.

tediis

Phew... False alarm. Did a CO2 and pressure test yesterday. No signs of coolant problems. Presure test was AOK!! The radiator cap was a little dodgy though.

So i will change that was there a product recall on the radiator cap for these cars if so where can find info on it?