White/oil smoke at idle
Turbo Mini Forums

Got the turbo build running with a BDD needle. Currently bit rich, running 11-12:1 at idle. Haven't driven it yet to see what happens under boost though, so bit reluctant to lean it off yet.

But, it does smoke white/blue oily smoke at idle, but seems to clear when you rev it.

Any thoughts? It's a rebuilt block, bored and honed with new pistons and rings. Turbo barely had any play, came off a running Saab. Oil drain is 19mm hose to fuel pump blank.

1994 Mini Mayfair, 1330, Mspd Ph2 cam, Benross turbo head, 9:1, GT1752, TT Intercooler, MegaJolt, BMW M3 leather seats.

lean it off at idle, it will make next to no difference to the rest of the rev range.

OK thanks, will do. Around 14:1?

Do you think that's related to the smoke?

1994 Mini Mayfair, 1330, Mspd Ph2 cam, Benross turbo head, 9:1, GT1752, TT Intercooler, MegaJolt, BMW M3 leather seats.

Probably turbo seals, get the engine up to temp if you haven't already and see if it clears

Had the engine up to temp now, and although it still smells a bit smokey, the main smoke does clear. Next time you start it up after its sat a while the smoke comes back.

Oil pressure is about 30psi warm idle.

1994 Mini Mayfair, 1330, Mspd Ph2 cam, Benross turbo head, 9:1, GT1752, TT Intercooler, MegaJolt, BMW M3 leather seats.

Could be valve seals/guides if it comes back after it's been sitting

Shouldn't be that as it's a new Benross head.

1994 Mini Mayfair, 1330, Mspd Ph2 cam, Benross turbo head, 9:1, GT1752, TT Intercooler, MegaJolt, BMW M3 leather seats.

I had a bit at idle when I first built the engine. It has cleared now, I think it was just the rings bedding in, which took a while.

I run a supercharger and I don't care the TB is on the wrong side.
VEMS + 12 PSI + Liquid Intercooler = Small Bore FUN!

if it was my engine and the tune was ok id go and do some high way runs ie get up to 80kph and go flat floor till 120 or so then lift off till 80 kph then back on it till 120 lift and so on for a good few cycles this creates cylender pressure pushing the rings out to the bore and then the of throttle pulls a vacume that takes the crud off the cylender walls imo its a way to seat the rings threw heat cycleing and pressure at he end of the day it up to the bore finish anf ring pack and build qulity but a goos strong run in on and off power imo makes a goos sealing ring set

i tyred the soft aproch and it smoked like a bitch i had it honed and new rings and juzst started it and did the flat floor 120 lift to coast in gear till 80 then back on it till 120 coast till 80 a few times and no smoke at all just be sure your at like 12:1 afr or what ever you feel safe but not to rich as youll wash the boors !

Fairly certain it's turbo, not rings now.

From startup after sitting all night, there is no smoke for about 30-60 seconds.

Then, when things start to warm up the smoke gets progressively worse. Then after 10 minutes fully warm, the smoke has gone and doesn't reappear.

I'm fairly sure oil is getting into the downpipe overnight, then burning off when hot. And doesn't reappear until it's left overnight again.

1994 Mini Mayfair, 1330, Mspd Ph2 cam, Benross turbo head, 9:1, GT1752, TT Intercooler, MegaJolt, BMW M3 leather seats.