Smoking on boost
Discussion
I seem to have a problem where the car is burning oil somehow when it's on boost, normal driving is fine and there's no visible oil leaks that I can see. I've only noticed it since driving with the windows open as it sucks in the burning smell and it only does it when giving it some beans. Any advice on what to look for? I thought it may be an oil return pipe from one of the turbos but I can't see any damage.
Thanks in advance for any advice from the Noble massive
Thanks in advance for any advice from the Noble massive
What turbos? Modified T28's.
Last time they were touched (replaced, modded, oil/water lines touched, etc)? Not for a long time.
What breather is fitted? Pro Alloy breather.
What exhaust? Custom stainless exhaust.
As you have mentioned the breather I'll take it off and give it a good clean out as I hadn't thought of that. I checked the oil level and it was a little low so it would suggest that some is being lost somewhere.
Last time they were touched (replaced, modded, oil/water lines touched, etc)? Not for a long time.
What breather is fitted? Pro Alloy breather.
What exhaust? Custom stainless exhaust.
As you have mentioned the breather I'll take it off and give it a good clean out as I hadn't thought of that. I checked the oil level and it was a little low so it would suggest that some is being lost somewhere.
No I haven't check them, but I'll do it when I get a chance as cars all tucked up now. On all my nobles I've always found oil in the pipes so guess that's normal so I need to look for excessive amounts? My turbos haven't done many miles so hopefully it's not them (although it would be a good excuse to upgrade to the gt's). I cleaned out the oil breather and got a bit of oily gunk out but nothing too serious.
Metalman said:
What turbos? Modified T28's.
Last time they were touched (replaced, modded, oil/water lines touched, etc)? Not for a long time.
What breather is fitted? Pro Alloy breather.
What exhaust? Custom stainless exhaust.
As you have mentioned the breather I'll take it off and give it a good clean out as I hadn't thought of that. I checked the oil level and it was a little low so it would suggest that some is being lost somewhere.
I just wanted to eliminate a few things first hence the questions. Cleaning out the oil breather isn't a bad idea but what you could also check (although a little crude) is that the return is open and free. If you have a telescopic magnet you could pass that into the sump return and see if there's any crud there, and look down the return hose too. If you're certain things are ok then if your exhaust is a completely dual system see if the smoke is coming from just one pipe. If so then you have a turbo issue with whichever is associated to that side. Last time they were touched (replaced, modded, oil/water lines touched, etc)? Not for a long time.
What breather is fitted? Pro Alloy breather.
What exhaust? Custom stainless exhaust.
As you have mentioned the breather I'll take it off and give it a good clean out as I hadn't thought of that. I checked the oil level and it was a little low so it would suggest that some is being lost somewhere.
Also as Tux said, pop a boost hose off (IC to TB is easiest) and see if you have oil tracking up into the engine. A sticky film right up to a small trail is normal, pouring it out isn't!
Finally, and I don't mean to patronise - are you 100% certain its oil? I had a piece of ducting rest against a downpipe once and I was convinced it was a burning oil smell. Silicon hoses smell similar too so just do your cursory checks while you're under the clam too. You might only notice it on full boost but it may be there more often than not.
ked so get some GTRS on the go! Blu3R said:
I just wanted to eliminate a few things first hence the questions. Cleaning out the oil breather isn't a bad idea but what you could also check (although a little crude) is that the return is open and free. If you have a telescopic magnet you could pass that into the sump return and see if there's any crud there, and look down the return hose too. If you're certain things are ok then if your exhaust is a completely dual system see if the smoke is coming from just one pipe. If so then you have a turbo issue with whichever is associated to that side.
Also as Tux said, pop a boost hose off (IC to TB is easiest) and see if you have oil tracking up into the engine. A sticky film right up to a small trail is normal, pouring it out isn't!
Finally, and I don't mean to patronise - are you 100% certain its oil? I had a piece of ducting rest against a downpipe once and I was convinced it was a burning oil smell. Silicon hoses smell similar too so just do your cursory checks while you're under the clam too. You might only notice it on full boost but it may be there more often than not.
Great advice thank you very much not patronising at all, I certainly don't know everything and usually miss the blindingly obvious. It's definitely a burning oil smell, but I can't see any evidence of oil. The problem I have is it only smokes when it's been on boost, so I can't see where it's coming from when I stop to check. I doubt it's coming out the exhaust thankfully and it's more like oil squirting onto a hot exhaust pipe. Also as Tux said, pop a boost hose off (IC to TB is easiest) and see if you have oil tracking up into the engine. A sticky film right up to a small trail is normal, pouring it out isn't!
Finally, and I don't mean to patronise - are you 100% certain its oil? I had a piece of ducting rest against a downpipe once and I was convinced it was a burning oil smell. Silicon hoses smell similar too so just do your cursory checks while you're under the clam too. You might only notice it on full boost but it may be there more often than not.
On the plus side I have spent the day checking the car over tightening bolts, re-routing hoses, etc etc ready for rockingham and I found the small boost pipe (from front turbo actuator to a "T") had been rubbing against the lower pulley by the water pump and had it been left much longer would have worn right through.
Metalman said:
Great advice thank you very much not patronising at all, I certainly don't know everything and usually miss the blindingly obvious. It's definitely a burning oil smell, but I can't see any evidence of oil. The problem I have is it only smokes when it's been on boost, so I can't see where it's coming from when I stop to check. I doubt it's coming out the exhaust thankfully and it's more like oil squirting onto a hot exhaust pipe.
On the plus side I have spent the day checking the car over tightening bolts, re-routing hoses, etc etc ready for rockingham and I found the small boost pipe (from front turbo actuator to a "T") had been rubbing against the lower pulley by the water pump and had it been left much longer would have worn right through.
Your last 'turbo seals' check then is to start the car from cold (and I mean COLD, not cooled after a run) and let it idle for a good 5 minutes without moving. If it starts to blow blue, you need to raid the piggy bank.On the plus side I have spent the day checking the car over tightening bolts, re-routing hoses, etc etc ready for rockingham and I found the small boost pipe (from front turbo actuator to a "T") had been rubbing against the lower pulley by the water pump and had it been left much longer would have worn right through.
Blu3R said:
Your last 'turbo seals' check then is to start the car from cold (and I mean COLD, not cooled after a run) and let it idle for a good 5 minutes without moving. If it starts to blow blue, you need to raid the piggy bank.
Ok I'll check that one night after work, thanks. The piggy bank is already being squeezed as I'm about to have a full retrim. Gassing Station | Noble | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff