AGHHHHH! I have had one problem after another, but I gradually figure them out(with your help of course!). Well my newest problem is my Garret Turbocharger. I have had zero performance for the last 9 yrs I have owned the car. I even had the Turbo professionaly rebuilt a few years ago. Finally discovered that it was the stupid Catalytic (sp) convertor that was oil loaded. A new one is about $1000.00 in Canada. Anyway I had a straight through pipe replace the unit (yes I know shame, shame) but the car isn't worth the cost of a new convertor and my car will still be legal and now the car accelerates like the wind, Nervana!
My problem is after the car (oil) warms up and I am travelling at a good rate of knots,I shift up from 3rd to 4th and as I accelerate in 4th a puff (sometimes a CLOUD) of burn't oil issues forth. It sounds to me like a pressure differential problem (ie blowing or sucking) oil from the turbo bearings into the intake(?), burnt, then expelled out the exhaust pipe.
I don't want to put back a new convertor just to load it up again, loose my performance and be back at square one. The rebuilt turbo is only a few years old, I use 100% synthetic oil, and really try to baby it. Is there a cheap rebuild with new seals? Will this help? Does a convertor have to be on to provide some kind of pressure equalization? RATS!!! HELP!!!!
Yours Peter, Thanks

Like the other post mentions. You want to annually remove the intercooler and empty it of the oil crap that builds up inside. There are also a couple of other issues that can cause the oil blowby. First is the cranckcase ventilation. Be sure the separator box and the hose that runs to the intake pipe are clean. Also a turbo is very sensitive to intake air restrictions. If you have a dirty or restricted air filter or intake you will cause the turbo to suck oil past its seals.

If you have your car worked on and the shop uses a vacuum exhaust system to pull the exhaust outside the building. These can pull so hard that it will pull oil past the turbo seals. I doubt if it's permanent damage but it's not good to burn oil in the exhaust. Hope this helps.
Dave 82 242ti

Look at the spark plugs. The CAT does not 'equalize' turbo or anything else.
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john,,1985, 245:GLTi 246k mi..so.california

Is your intercooler loaded with oil?

Does happen.......
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Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)