Hi all,

have recently had the turbo replaced on my 2002 jtd Multipla to fix seized wastegate. Car now runs a dream, but have noticed always smokes heavily for first 5-10 seconds when started in morning, and oil consumption is up. After this exhaust is clean as a whistle. There is a small leak around the sump but probably not enough to justify consumption. (used 1L in about 1500 miles).

The Turbo was replaced by Fiat, but using a recon unit I sourced elsewhere (TurboActive). Only in Fiat because my friendly garage couldn't interpret the codes from ECU.

Is this problem likely to be oil seeping into Turbo? If so any idea if this is more likely to be a fault in Turbo or Workmanship? (I tend to suspect latter given that I had to take car back to Fiat 2 days after released as leaking oil from Turbo oil feed hose where it joined engine block). Obviously if Fiat at fault will lean on them to fix, but aware could get caught in a Fiat verses TurboActive dispute.

Alternatively if anyone has any other bright ideas I'd appreciate the help.

Thanks

It depends really Rob, if the oil has not been getting oil from the off it may well be wrecked (well the seals may be) giving lots of smoke until it heats.

Thanks JTDman,

I think I'll head back to the Fiate dealer as I suspect poor fitting. For now pretty sure it's only seals, as turbo is boosting beautifully.

Traditionally speaking, those of us trained as diesel mechanics years ago (30!) were always taught that light grey smoke on COLD start-up was water in a cylinder - i.e. a head gasket leak. Subsequent experience over the years has proved this right. So just check that it is actually grey and not even light blue. Also check for mayonnaise in the oil filler cap and oily sheen on the surface of the water in the expansion bottle. Then pray !

cheers
mish

Thanks Missionary,

Smoke is at blue end of grey, not white (I've had a head gasket go before so know what that looks like). Also oil consumption is pretty high so I'm fairly sure that's what it is. What I don't know is if it's likely to be the turbo, or elsewhere in the engine. It does appear to have a minor oild leak from the sump, but nowhere near enough to account for the oil consumption.

Any further sugestions gratefully received!

In that case, suspect valve stem seals.

mish