losing a little water from somewhere under driver's side engine bay, boost has recently dropped by 3psi under the same settings that were giving me 15psi before and although ive not put stupid settings in, ive not been able to get higher than 13.5psi, and im getting some whitish smoke reportedly from only one zorst

 

does this mean that one of my turbos (baring in mind that they were rebuilt less than 2 years ago) is fooked?

 

also, an idiot's maths lesson: ive read that a koyo rad takes about 7 litres of coolant - i just put 700ml in to fill it to the brim, does this mean that i was ok for fluid before and that the level had just sank down out of sight naturally? [according to 2 guages the running temp is fine]

 

EDITED: doesnt appear to be losing any oil, fingers crossed, smoke is coming from both turbos on overrun and doesnt appear to be blue

Edited August 1, 200916 yr by EvoluZion3
update

hmm these could be related. have you got standard exhaust or aftermarket, the only reason is on the standard there is a x-pipe so would get white smoke out of both but if its aftermarket could be headgasket, white smoke is usually water. could be loosing compression aswell giving you low boost. if you are loosing coolant this could also be related to headgasket. only ideas tho need to get it checked out.

hmm these could be related. have you got standard exhaust or aftermarket, the only reason is on the standard there is a x-pipe so would get white smoke out of both but if its aftermarket could be headgasket, white smoke is usually water. could be loosing compression aswell giving you low boost. if you are loosing coolant this could also be related to headgasket. only ideas tho need to get it checked out.

 

they all started happening at the same time. yes - aftermarket zorst so seperate exits. strange cos ive got a Cometic head gasket thats only been in since the engine (and turbos!) were rebuilt less than 2 years ago. the water is actually dripping from below the drivers side front, behind the rad, but i cant pinpoint from where yet as it seems to be higher up. only drips (lightly - like once per 10 secs) when the engine is cooling down - nothing visible while its hot. im confused :confused:

It's not a small crack in the elbow of the rad pipe is it? Wouldn't cause the turbo problems though..

Could be a water hose with a tiny crack in it, When a hot engine is cooling the water pressure can actually rise slightly just after switchoff due to heat soak and no more circuiation. This pressure rise can be enough to make the leak drip but stop again as the pressure falls down.

Re the slight loss of boost pressure - you havent been driving in a lot of heavy rain? Tou could have a soggy air filter restrictiong air flow!

It's not a small crack in the elbow of the rad pipe is it? Wouldn't cause the turbo problems though..

 

ive looked there and there's nothing obvious - trouble (or rather good news) is that its such a small (and occasional) leak so its hard to pinpoint.

 

Could be a water hose with a tiny crack in it, When a hot engine is cooling the water pressure can actually rise slightly just after switchoff due to heat soak and no more circuiation. This pressure rise can be enough to make the leak drip but stop again as the pressure falls down.

Re the slight loss of boost pressure - you havent been driving in a lot of heavy rain? Tou could have a soggy air filter restrictiong air flow!

 

most of my hoses are stainless steel, with samco joins. what youve written about the pressure does make sense, but in my mind im trying to (rightly or wrongly) connect all the different problems into one cause.

 

we've had a lot of rain, but with my vented bonnet ive got used to the engine suddenly cutting out briefly when im revving too much with a wet filter. this problem (the dropped boost) started a few weeks ago, before the rain started. all the problems did all start after the car had sat for a few weeks in the bodyshop and then in the garage having a new suspension. at first i put them down to it just not being driven - but the problems have all persisted! :mad:

sorry - keep the suggestions coming though guys! :)

have a leak down test done to see if you losing any from the HG or anywhere else

 

white smoke and losing water points to head gasket could also be the cometic head gasket need torqueing down, your meant to retorque cometic head gaskets down after running them in

 

Mike

i thought my water pump had gone once, it was the hose from the the top of the rad blowing water agianst the timing belt casing and running down the belts, it ran crap when doing this as only a bit of water was lost and the temp sender was reading cold all the time

 

may be worth checking, get it really hot then rev the engine whilst lookin ginto the engine bay, make sure you fill it up first though

i thought my water pump had gone once, it was the hose from the the top of the rad blowing water agianst the timing belt casing and running down the belts, it ran crap when doing this as only a bit of water was lost and the temp sender was reading cold all the time

 

may be worth checking, get it really hot then rev the engine whilst lookin ginto the engine bay, make sure you fill it up first though

 

when you say reading cold do you mean it just didnt move? mines giving a reading of between 65 and 75 degrees, and it does move as i rev the engine so to me it appears to be ok. but who knows?

 

 

Also just to update, ive spent a few minutes throttling it in the driveway and then nipping to the back, and i get a faint plume of whitish smoke from both zorsts when i come off throttle. im sure Mickey (who rebuilt the engine) retorqued the head gasket down during run-in, but i dont know for certain and unfortunately im unable to get hold of him to find out. is doing this job easy - i.e. can be done without stripping anything down?

Edited August 1, 200916 yr by EvoluZion3

Dave one of my tubs is starting to smoke again on tickover , they were re-conned about 3 years ago but i havn,t done much mileage since then :rant::rant:.

Trying to decide whether to pull the engine again and sort it out , trouble is i,ve not got a garage , i used Darrens ( mantav8 ) last time .:headvswal:headvswal

Oh the joys of zed ownership !!!

when you say reading cold do you mean it just didnt move? mines giving a reading of between 65 and 75 degrees, and it does move as i rev the engine so to me it appears to be ok. but who knows?

 

 

Also just to update, ive spent a few minutes throttling it in the driveway and then nipping to the back, and i get a faint plume of whitish smoke from both zorsts when i come off throttle. im sure Mickey (who rebuilt the engine) retorqued the head gasket down during run-in, but i dont know for certain and unfortunately im unable to get hold of him to find out. is doing this job easy - i.e. can be done without stripping anything down?

 

no its not easy as you have to strip the top end down to get to the head bolts but get a leak down test done first to see if your losing any pressure anywhere and then take it from there, if you can a compressor i have a leak down tester you can borrow if you cover the postage and post it back when your done :)

 

Mike

A head gasket 'sniffer' is good start, shows if there are engine fumes/fuel/oil in the water.

Shouldnt be much to have it tested professionally, or less than £40 to buy new..

Dave, take it easy matey I am sure it is NOT a head gasket problem, the white smoke you mention is more likely condensation from the exhaust.

 

Given the very wet weather we have had and short journeys the zed exhaust layout lends itself to this very issue.

 

Under most cases on the zed the head gasket only fails as a direct result of a major overheat and warped heads so unless you have done this its very unlikely even given ou slight water loss.

 

If it worring you we can test it for you FOC with a sniffer and pressure tester, also can performa a leak down test etc if you want, sure it will be ok though will be able to find the water leak for you too.

 

Jeff TT

Now that is customer service :bow: :bow:

sure is, id be mad not to take Jeff up on that offer :) as said in my pm im over near Tamworth later this month having the suspension set up so hopefully I can pop over on the same day