Recently I've been notice this, its not all the time either. Its usually after the car is warmed up and been driving for awhile. It happens if im sitting for awhile sometimes at a long light or if leave the car runnng for a few mins. There will be a nice amount of greyish smoke comming out of the tailpipe, sometimes its really, bad almost like a smoke screen. Once I start moving it stops, and doesn't seem to smoke at all while im driving. I've also noticed that i've been having to add alot more oil. The car runs good and the oil pressure seems to be good. What are the possible culprits......bad seal in the turbo.....flame trap?....anyone input would be appreciated. Btw the car has 94K miles, I think the turbo is orginal, and is oil cooled.


Andy

84 242ti...enough mods for now

You are burning oil coming from your turbo charger. A plugged up oil trap may cause enough pressure to push oil through the turbo. If you have a flame trap, throw it away! You shouldn't have one on a Turbo. Change your oil. With the plug out of the pan, pull the hose (where the flame trap would be)that runs from your intake pipe across the top of the motor and down through the intake runners, out of the oil trap. Insert a funnel into the trap and pour a bottle of Berrymans B-12 Chemtool carb cleaner down the funnel. This will run right out the oil pan plug hole. Wait 3 min. Pour through a quart of the cheapest motor flush you can find. Wait 3 min. Complete your oil change. Drain your intercooler and clean your plumbing. If that doesn't fix it, you need to look at a turbo rebuild. Play it smart and "baby" it until you know whats up.

Mark

P.S. Disconnect the intercooler tube from the front of your unit. Feel for any "play" in the shaft and if the shaft spins freely. A little play in a unit that old is normal.If you hear ANY scrape, squeal, or unusual harmonics? Stop the motor. The more damage the turbo does to itself as it is going out the more you'll pay for the rebuild. Let it cme up to operating temp before you drive and let that puppy cool down a minimum of 30 sec. before you kill the motor.