3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
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smoking at random times..

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Old May 31, 2010 | 12:20 AM
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From: pa
smoking at random times..

I've done quite a bit of research before posting this, and I'll try my best to tell you what I know:

So, I just got my engine in the car about a week ago, and since then I have been experiencing occasional smoking, but it just got very heavy and consistent tonight, perhaps due to some spirited driving.

I haven't had the chance to run a "champaign bubble" test tonight, but previously when I ran them it didn't show any hints of even the slightest bubbles.

Previous to tonight, there was never a strong enough scent in the smoke to tell exactly what it was. And it would only smoke on start ups, and occasionally cool downs.
However, tonight after I shut it off, it was smoking enough to smell it, and the only way I can describe it is as a burning smell with a very very strong scent of exhaust. The smoke appears to be mostly white, with maybe a hint of grey, and it absolutely billows out of the exhaust.
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Old May 31, 2010 | 01:04 AM
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my money is on an oil leak of some kind. They say the smoke is "blue" if it's an oil leak. Never mind that myth, I've seen oil leak smoke of all colors - believe me, I've had enough oil leaks to know.

If it doesn't smell sweet like anti-freeze, then I'd be willing to bet money on oil.
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Old May 31, 2010 | 01:09 AM
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hmmmm okay, I'm not sure if this could be relevant, but I do have a boost leak on the first turbo, won't go over about 6lbs until the second comes in.
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Old May 31, 2010 | 10:09 AM
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I had the same problem, mine was the turbos burning off oil. The more "spirited" I drove the car, the more smoke it would spew. My car also dripped oil from the drivers side too, from my understanding a oil catch can is suppose to fix it then again, i think the oil was coming from the block itself...
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Old May 31, 2010 | 10:15 AM
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color? had this happen to me after some spirited driving and eventually had to get a rebuild, but not for another 10K miles.
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Old May 31, 2010 | 10:27 AM
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The real litmus test is to see what fluid the engine is low in. If it's going through oil, it's an oil leak, coolant it's a coolant leak.

Most likely burning oil from what you're describing.

Get that boost leak fixed, do you know where it's coming from? If you have a known problem, fix it.

Most common culprit for oil smoke is the turbos going south.

Dale
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Old May 31, 2010 | 01:40 PM
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Just took a video for you guys, when I started it and it went to 3,000 rpms, it did not smoke at all, but then when it came down to regular idle, this was the result:

All of the smoke came from the muffler, what you see by the hood is just from it being blown around by the wind.

After checking fluids, there is no doubt it is oil, but what could cause so much oil to be burned like this?

http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x...t=101_0505.flv
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Old May 31, 2010 | 02:42 PM
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Did you remove or block your PCV lines?
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Old May 31, 2010 | 03:02 PM
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Nope. Just purchased the used motor with 28,000 miles on it from Curtis down in Texas, he told me the motor was all stock.
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Old May 31, 2010 | 03:37 PM
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Try running the car with the oil cap off and see if that changes the amount of smoke you are seeing.
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Old May 31, 2010 | 03:41 PM
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Just performed this test, I saw the same amount of smoke, and once again, when I started it, and the rpms jumped to 3k, I saw none, but when it settled around 1k rpms the smoke came like usual.
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Old May 31, 2010 | 04:30 PM
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Smoke

Sounds like it might be time for a turbo rebuild.
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