Hello there folks,

 

I'm currently saving to have my turbo's replaced. Done the PCV valves and the the hoses and it still smokes. The car has been de-catted so I can assume that this has caused the rear seals on the turbos to go. Will I be damagin my engine if I continue to run the car like this? I'm keeping a very close eye of the oil level and pressure and all seems fine. Is it just a case of oil seeping past the seals and being burnt in the exhaust?

 

All the best.

 

Martin.

I'm in a similar situation to you Martin, (except I havent tried the PCV's yet - will order soon from Mr Feeney) so I'm interested in any info that anyone can supply.

Dave

Hello Dave,

 

Those on this forum will know that I've been doing a lot of research into what might be causing the smoke and what turbo replacement will cost in terms of parts and labour, etc.

 

Basically its a process of elimination. I've taken the advice of people on this forum (all very good and much appreciated) to make sure that I'm not spending money on things I don't need.

 

Do the PCV valves and hoses first (cost approx. £100). Apparently the front ones tend to cause the smoking.

 

My car appears to be the classic case of rear seal failure due to de-catting. It cas covered 79,000 miles and was only de-catted 3000 miles ago when the old exhaust was binned in favour of a s/s system.

 

With regard to replacement turbos I'll go with turbos from smithy as these included the staggered gap rear seal.

 

I reckon labour will be approx. £600-700 although my local 'specialist' has quoted me £350 labour. I don't think I'll be using them though as theu obviously haven't done turbos on a 300 before and don't appear to know the scale of the task.

 

Before I get anything done though I'll be carrying out a compression test to make sure the lump is O.K.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Martin.

Thanks Martin,

mine started smoking about a week after the decat. The smoking occurrs after idling for about a minute - being stuck at traffic lights can be embarrassing :rolleyes: but it doesn't happen every day for some reason.

I've already been in touch with Smithy for prices :cool: my 'Z fund' is still in shock after getting new wheels/tyres, so it could be a while before I'll be upgrading the turbos.

But I'll definitely get the PCV's done first, might as well start with the "cheap" attempts to fix the prolem first :rolleyes:

Sorry if I appear to have 'hijacked" your thread ;)

Dave

No Problem Dave.

 

Best of luck with the smoking (hope you manage to kick the habit soon !!).

 

All the best.

 

Martin.

Martin, no reason at all to cause engine damage that i can think off, oil that is within the turbo to float the bearings is seaping past the rear seal and when you are on idle or slowing down with the rear turbo wheel barely spinning it's allowing the oil into the very hot turbo down pipe and exhaust which causes the smoke, it gets worse (smoke) but that's about it.

Fraid it's a common thing on turbo's with a bit of mileage on and the cars just been de-catted, it's the cats that keep the back pressure there which in turn keeps a nice tight seal on the rear turbo seal, even been a few cases lately of turbo's only a couple years old doing this, cos they didn't buy them from me :D :D

cheers

smithy :cool:

Wish bought mine from you!!!!....think im now in the turbo failure loop!!!! 14 mths had my new hybrid turbo technics turbos fitted ....done less than 10000 miles......I have breather kit/FATT turbo timer fitted (and use it) regular service.......etc....Turbo technics are repairing/replacing at their own cost but I still have to pay for fitting etc...and wont have the stagger seals....so no doubt in another 12 mts they will have to come off again........the car is decatted...and the turbos failed after about 300 miles of being decatted......which is nice......boy do I love zeds.........oh for an equivalent car with half the problems.....any suggestions..??????

 

Sorry to hijack....just my 2p

 

Regardz

What breather kit are you using Sub?

 

Some of these have been known to be problematic?

Here's some useful info on turbo replacement;

either for yourself or your friendly local mechanic.

(Unless he's done several already - why be sexist

mebbe that's a 'she'.)

 

http://www.ttzd.com/tech/turbotech.html

 

Looks like a serious job!

Mark, pretty sure Sub's breather kit is also ....erm... Turbo Technics :rolleyes:

smithy :cool: