Hi there everyone,

 

Potentially bad news concerning the short term future of my ZX. Started the car the other day to keep it ticking over (she's been having work done on her and been off the road since May) I noticed an oil leak and smoke coming out the back.

 

Got the car on jacks today and had a look, the oil seems to be coming from the RHS turbo, I think the back of the housing, a mate thinks it might be the rear bearing seal. I cant see if the oil is coming from the head and dripping down or anywhere else for that matter.

 

Will upload a couple of photos later when the other half gets back with my camera cable. :headvswal

 

Any help with this would be great, either poss cause and ways to fix it. She is really running the risk of getting pushed into the sea :rofl::rofl:

 

Rob :bow::bow:

That does sound suspiciously like the turbo seals gone. What colour is the smoke ?

Pics added fellas.

 

Not great I know but best I can do at the moment

 

http://s791.photobucket.com/albums/yy200/robhughes7470/?action=view&current=MyCar010.jpg

 

http://s791.photobucket.com/albums/yy200/robhughes7470/?action=view&current=MyCar011.jpg

 

http://s791.photobucket.com/albums/yy200/robhughes7470/?action=view&current=MyCar012.jpg

Smoke was black :headvswal:headvswal

 

The oil is a steady stream and starts a couple of seconds after the engine is switched on. Needless to say it hasnt been switched on since.

to me that looks like the oil is from above the turbo so id suspect its from a rocker cover or something. is there any smoke from under the bonnet? or is it from the exhaust?

Just from the exhaust from what I can tell, cant see anything dripping down from the rocker cover as there is to much stuff in the way. Have put a new oil filter and oil in her so will start her again tomorrow hopefully if not Monday.

Hi matey, i remember going to jeff at Zworld, and he told me that the covers do not have a gasket and are only sealed with sealant from new/as standard, and when they fail the oil drips down onto the turbo housing, causing the smoke, and oil soaked turbo, as in your pics. I may be a little wrong, but could be worth a call to jeff just to confirm. hth.

 

Al.

Cheers for that Al,

Will have a look at the rocker cover, I'm assuming its a plenum off job is it that??????

 

Forgot to say earlier the turbos were replaced 20,000 miles ago

Yes buddy, plenum off. But you only have to do it once, unless something else goes wrong. It usually goes at the very rear, just above the tubs.

 

Al.

What tubs did you put in at 20,000 ?

 

Al.

I didnt mate, was before my time but I have the receipt. They were refurbed standard items.

 

How much of a pain in the crack is it to take the plenum off? I'm in Germany and Jeff aint really an easy option. All I have is Nissan down the road and DTA in Holland

There is a thread on this forum relating to the plenum pull. It looks easy if you label everything up and remember where the bits you remove, go back, if you know what i mean. I have not done it before, but, many people here, have. And, am sure, will guide you with this job, either through the forum or via pm.

 

Al.

Found the thread and link to a guide. Want to have another proper look first before i start removing stuff I dont need to LOL.

 

Hopefully get this sorted soon as Ive missed the summer due to other problems with her.

Hope you get it sorted matey. Let the forum, and me, know when you find the problem.

 

All the best buddy,

 

Al.

Will do mate, cheers for the help this evening. Off to Morrocco with work on the 25th so hopefully will get it sorted before then. Otherwise wont be till November sometime!!!!!!!!!

 

:headvswal:headvswal:headvswal

No worries matey, zeds take time.

 

Al.

Hi Guys,

 

Anyone got any tips for checking for a oil leak from the drivers side rocker cover. Tried to get my head in there but cant see pretty much sod all LOL.

 

Tried getting my arm in there to see if it leaks on me but I'm clearly massive and dont fit LOL

 

Cheers fellas, Rob

I didnt mate, was before my time but I have the receipt. They were refurbed standard items.

 

How much of a pain in the crack is it to take the plenum off? I'm in Germany and Jeff aint really an easy option. All I have is Nissan down the road and DTA in Holland

 

and me when im there LOL

Sweet mate Ill hold you to that LOL. Hopefully gonna have a bash on her tomorrow, new radiator going on and then oil leak finding afterwards. Come down if your free, car is outside a garage just down from the MRS

 

 

and me when im there LOL

Yer, seen it bud. Im back at work tomoz so will get to see you. You on Lve?? What Rad did you get?? Ive sorted my smoke issue. Just stripped the dash out for LED conversion.

Ha ha, stripping the dash is on my list to do before Morrocco. Got a stainless system, rip-off of a Koyo I think, looks good tho.

 

Been on lve for the past 2 weeks, back in tomorrow aswell :headvswal:headvswal

 

Good to hear about the smoke issue, its frickin soul destroying to find new problems, I'm proper threaders with it. Fancy a brew in coffee forum at some point tomorrow? Got to nip down to Nissan tomorrow but should be able to make it at some point

oil leak could be from the turbo oil feed. from my experience on 200s as soon as any of the oem pipes were disturbed they would start to leak/crack. try using a small mirror on a stick to have a look