General Should i worry?

[cappsy01]

Hi eveyone, i brought a 1996 20vt a couple of wks ago. Its been well looked after with a full service history. The last service was in march this year and all the belts were changed. It all seems to be running fine. For the 1st wk i was running it every day but last wk i didnt run it for a few days and when i started it up i got exshaut smoke it only lasted for 2mins max then stopped. It hasnt done it again yet. Is it normal for that to happen if its left a few days or is it the turbo seals starting to go? Also what oil/oils would you recommend.

 

[ChrisUK]

Has it got an aftermarket exhaust? Reason im asking is if its got a decat this will make the seals weep due to lack of back presure.

Oil is 10w/40 or 10w/50 fully synth. The latter is preferable if you drive the car hard.

Had the turbo been changed in its history? how many miles has it got?

 

[cappsy01]

yes its an aftermarket exhaust, i dont beleive the turbos been changed ive got **** loads of bills but nothing with any work on the turbo. Its done 102,000. Cheers

 

[Rustbucket]

Was it smoke or steam from the exhaust after it had been standing for a few days?

I think all 20VT's smoke a bit..bad habit picked up in the grotty factory in Turin when they were small.

I shouldn't worry about until it becomes constant and your oil level goes in free fall.

 

[ChrisUK]

Was it smoke or steam from the exhaust after it had been standing for a few days?

I think all 20VT's smoke a bit..bad habit picked up in the grotty factory in Turin when they were small.

I shouldn't worry about until it becomes constant and your oil level goes in free fall.

:yeahthat:

Although it worth checking to see if it still has a cat. as once decatted the turbo seals won't last very long at all. A full decat straight through require a 360degree thrust bearing on your turbo (an after market one basically) for it to last any decent length of time.

 

[cappsy01]

It was defo smoke, Ive spoke to a mate who used to have 1 and he said his was the same if it was left a while without been run.
Will check if its got a cat, thanks for the help guys.

 

[Rustbucket]

Sounds like the turbo oil seals are going. Its weeping oil into the exhaust..not surprising if the car has 100k plus up.

Out of interest what is the oil pressure like on the gauge? Should be 3bar above idle, 2bar hot idle and nothing ever lower than 1.5bar.

 

[cappsy01]

oil pressures spot on mate 3bar when idle, 2.5 when hot. Been running the last couple of days and got no smoke. not going to be using it till wk end now so will see what happens.

 

[Rustbucket]

oil pressures spot on mate 3bar when idle, 2.5 when hot.

Lucky man, sounds like a rebuilt engine with pressures that good. The 2 coupes I had (one new) sat at 2.5 hot idle and 3 over idle.

Old engines are rarely as good. <1.5bar idle is common, so long as it goes to 3 bar at speed your're ok. The real test on an old one is when it sits very hot in traffic when the oil gets very thin..

 

[bridges]

Lucky man, sounds like a rebuilt engine with pressures that good. The 2 coupes I had (one new) sat at 2.5 hot idle and 3 over idle.

Old engines are rarely as good. <1.5bar idle is common, so long as it goes to 3 bar at speed your're ok. The real test on an old one is when it sits very hot in traffic when the oil gets very thin..

Mine never drops below 2.5 and has never had engine apart

 

[coupesim]

turbo seals i had the same prob in the end i just changed the turbo awesome cars:slayer:might get myself another 1 loved every min in it
just a quick ques are you sure it was smoke as my aftermarket exhaust held water and would smoke aswell.

 

[bridges]

as above could well be a build up of condensation. A turbo can still be gone despite great oil pressure. To test the turbo let the car idle for 5-10 mins until warm then blip the accelerator if she puffs blue smoke then this is a sure sign the oil seals are on the way out. A decat will kill the seals on a 3/4 worn turbo. some have reported the smoking to stop when putting a cat back in. The other option is to have a new or hybrid turbo fitted.

 

[cappsy01]

as above could well be a build up of condensation. A turbo can still be gone despite great oil pressure. To test the turbo let the car idle for 5-10 mins until warm then blip the accelerator if she puffs blue smoke then this is a sure sign the oil seals are on the way out. A decat will kill the seals on a 3/4 worn turbo. some have reported the smoking to stop when putting a cat back in. The other option is to have a new or hybrid turbo fitted.

Try what youve said and no smoke, and havent had any since so im hopeing that its the build up of condensation. new turbo sounds expensive so im keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks bridges

 

[ChrisUK]

Hehe should be ok then . Good news as a recon turbo fitted will be £500+ .

 

[bridges]

Hehe should be ok then . Good news as a recon turbo fitted will be £500+ .

dont I know it
oh well time to get an upgrade

 

[doody]

mines smoking too, had a decat put on and within about a week it started to smoke so i'm off to power italia to get an uprated one at some point this month.

my coupes always had good oil pressure but since the turbo seals have gone it has dropped alittle but still sits well above the 2.5 mark.
i know i'm lucky to have a very strong engine in mine (touching wood that it stays that way) but i have to admit i spend a fortune on it all the time trying to keep it looking mint, god it's worth it though in my opinion