Help... i don't know where to go from here...
Turbo Mini Forums

So, I posted on here a while back about reconditioned turbos and the possible cause of blue smoke and got some very useful answers. Since then the problems have escalated...

Intially the mini (which is a 1293 A-series with standard T3) was smoking when hot. I did the usual checks and opted to replace the turbo core (CHRA). Since changing this and a quick oil change it smoked even more. So I took the unit off and ran the car normally aspirated... no smoke at all! I have checked the turbo over and there is no oil in the exhaust elbow but it is very sooty and the inlet and carb is clean. Excuse my ignorance but before I send the turbo back for testing can anyone think of any other cause for the smoke other than the turbo unit?

Thanks,
Adam

could be stem seals and guides goosed whats the milage on the engine ... history?

could also be ring lands cracked on the the pistons whats the compression like on the bores ?

if it smokes say the engines hot and you pull up to a junction and its ideling for a minuite and you set off my monies on the turbo seals goosed ..... so you need to take it back, you need to answer the above questions to eliminate all other possabilitys

Could be that your oil return is blocked causing a build up of oil in the turbo that then finds its way past the seals.

Fastest 998 mini in the world? 13.05 1/4 mile 106mph

The engine is a new build with about 650miles on it now. It had new guides etc when built. My only concern is that it takes a little while to get up to oil pressure, say 5-6 seconds to get to 60-65psi. What you say is exactly right... you don't notice smoke on the run but when you pull up the smoke soon builds up. I am intrigued by the oil drain however - the silicone pipe is clear, what could cause an obstruction after that?

If the oil drain was blocked would you see oil in the exhaust elbow?

this thread seems a little adhoc, in the discriptions you give
having said that the oil pressure is a total separate issue ....... lets deal with the smoke first!

if there is no KINK in the oil drain pipe, there should not be any restrictions after that, unless someone has blanked it off ....lol its quite possible the turbo seals are still goose it may be that its not been rebuilt correct ...... was it a gibbon company ?,

the oil will quickley burn off in the turbo & elbow at high temps so you only see soot and lots of smoke

what are the piston you are using ?
whats the psi compression readings in the bores to eliminate that area?
was oil seals fitted to the guides in the head ?
whats the compression ratio of the engine ......standard ?
what max boost have you run or running ?
intercooled or not ?

the reason iam asking is you may ? have given it some bar room boost the next day and goosed the ring lands on the pistons

please answer all the above so we can make some progress on your problem

The pistons are +20 forged omega turbo pistons from avonbar.
The compression ratio is standard.
It has never been run above 4 psi as it has no ECU and no boost controller fitted.
It is not intercooled.
The head has not been touched so no oil seals were changed. But would this not smoke regardless of the turbo being fitted or not if the seals were faulty?

Thanks again
Adam

The company who provided the new core was turbo rebuild from Lancashire. It was a brand new t3 core and this was fitted into the housing by green and white minis from Durham.

What's the compression figures on the engine bores Adam.

I had the same trouble as you have got, started with the turbo completely overhauled, still blue smoke on take off, turned to the head overhauled that using a standard gasket set, still got blue smoke, Sealers for valves in these sets are not up to turbo setup, double springs lifting the seals off was happening there. So then spoke to Benross and decided to have him build me a short engine and a fully staged head. Now no blue smoke so was not the turbo. I came to the conclusion that the engine needs to spot on for turbo setup in your case you say it's a new engine maybe just valve seals are lifting off if they are the standard ones, don't know the make you need but someone may post and tell you or just try the search. Hope this helps. Alan

Main Build
http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.php?p=vt&tid=489133

Upgrade to Turbo
http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.p...tid=448367&fr=0

I'm waiting to hear back from the garage what the compression readings are. I will post as soon as get them.
Alan was your engine smoking at idle? Or on take off?

I'm waiting to hear back from the garage what the compression readings are. I will post as soon as get them.
Alan was your engine smoking at idle? Or on take off?

Yes slightly, but some times turbos do smoke a bit on tick over.

Edit sorry mate didn't read your post right, as said slightly on idle but severe on take off, also on over run

Edited by nala56 on 27th Jun, 2013.

Main Build
http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.php?p=vt&tid=489133

Upgrade to Turbo
http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.p...tid=448367&fr=0

On saying that it doesn't now.

Main Build
http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.php?p=vt&tid=489133

Upgrade to Turbo
http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.p...tid=448367&fr=0

How about breathers, has it got enough? and are they clear?

Fastest 998 mini in the world? 13.05 1/4 mile 106mph