Need some help. Basically i have a massive plume of blue oily smoke coming out of the exhaust with the engine running. This happens from start-up, engine load makes no difference.

I have researched the forums and concluded that the oil is either coming from the engine (and being burnt) or from the turbo bearing seals, directly into the exhaust (not going thru the intercooler etc). I have checked the plugs to see if they are oily, and they are fine.

I started the car earlier today (smoke galore coming out the back) but noticed a small amount of smoke coming from the turbo area. Having a check underneath i noticed oil making it's way out from betwen the exhaust manifold and the turbo pack (see pic). Could oil being thrown into the engine make it's way here? or is it leaking out the turbos only?

Engine was fully rebuilt about 4 years ago. Car is basically a standard '92 3rd Gen with twin turbo pack.

Is there any other way to check where the oil is coming from?

Cheers.
Jon

 

I can't tell which seam that is in your picture. Can you take one a little further back?

Basically, you probably have one of two problems:

1. Blown turbos that are trash now
2. Failed oil seals inside the engine

Either way, you'll probably need to remove the turbos to figure out what's going on. Try removing your intercooler and piping. See if you can pour out a lot of oil out it and check the piping up to the throttle body to see if it's completely coated with oil.

 

Kyle, the picture shows the seam between the manifold and the turbos.... that 10mm bolt head you can see belongs to the precontrol actuator that hangs below the first turbo.

Based on the OP's description and based on that picture, seems like a bad oil control o-ring to me.

Jon, were the oil control o-rings replaced during the previous build?

 

Mahjik,
I have removed the intercooler pipes etc and run the engine. There is no smoke coming from the turbos in this direction, and the inside of the pipes appear to be quite dry. Could the oil seal(s) in the turbos be leaking oil into just the 'hot' side of the turbos (ie just exhaust side)?

Goodfella,
I can't remember if the oil control oil rings were replaced during the last rebuild (will have a look at the invoice when i get home). It was quite an extensive (and expensive rebuild) with new housings etc though.

The smoking started during a power run, which is why i'm leaning towards it being the turbos.

Also, checking last night, i noticed a small amount of oil seapage from where the 2nd turbo mates up with it's bearing area.

Will be removing the turbo pack at the weekend (wish me luck).

Thanks for the replies.

Cheers
Jon