Another smoking exhaust thread

[08SPEED3Veteran]

I know this has been posted about before, but the video isnt that good, no offense. Here is my video of my 08 speed 3 with the full corksport turbo back exhaust with down pipe and race pipe. Just to be clear...my car runs great, im running stage 2 93 octane on my AP with no problems, there is no visible differences in coolant and oil levels between changes, i use 10w30 royal purple synthetic oil, and my car is a 2008 MS3 with right under 8000 miles. Any suggestions would be awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvZ9qzME3Ps

The video was taken when it was 55 degrees so its not cold, just rainy.

 

[Hank3]

 

[AutoEuphoria]

Was that a cold start up? Looks like normal condensation to me...does it do it all the time?

As a general rule, black smoke is too much fuel, blue smoke is oil, and white/sweet smelling smoke is coolant. White smoke with no real odor (other than regular exhaust) is just steam/condensation and is normal.

 

[08SPEED3Veteran]

the car had been running for at least ten minutes prior to the video. And trust me...it could be 110 degrees with zero humidity and it would still smoke like a chimney. I can cover 4 lanes of traffic at idol. but when im driving, theres no smoke at all. just at idol.

 

[Darth Vader]

Here's a try....bypass the water to the centre housing and see if the problem goes away. That definitely looks like water leaking, not oil. The turbo doesn't need the water cooling really anyway, if you use good oil and change it regularly.

 

[sluflyer06]

Royal Purple......eww. That is seriously bad oil, loaded with excess amounts of detergent. Look into German Castrol if you really want synthetic or for dino take a look at Rotella.

RP used to be a big name oil back in the day but now its just old and doesn't even meet many car manufacturers oil specifications.

 

[MSMS3]

Before you get too excited, could you do two things for us and report back?

1. Shut the engine down, wait a couple minutes and run your index finger over the inside of the exhaust outlet and then rub the "soot" with your thumb. Describe whether this is dry soot or whether there is any oily feel.

2. Undo the couplers to your FMIC (both hot and cold side), feel the inside of the tubing and tell us if it is wet or dry inside and whether any dampness is oily or watery. (Be sure to button everything back up well).

A detailed answer to these two questions will help us get to the bottom of your issue. Be as specific as you can in your description.

 

[08SPEED3Veteran]

I can do that. Ill check tomorrow and post my results.

 

[Speed3ForMe]

If the hot and cold boost tubes are moist, what is that an indication of?
When I replaced my boost tubes, the stock tubes were slightly oily.

 

[sluflyer06]

If the hot and cold boost tubes are moist, what is that an indication of?
When I replaced my boost tubes, the stock tubes were slightly oily.

That's normal, its just blowby from the crankcase.

 

[Speed3ForMe]

So dry soot is bad?

 

[MSMS3]

I'd prefer to answer the question of the OP first, after he reports back.

I do not want to create any placebo effect or precondition the way he might view the issue when he gathers the information. Let's see what he reports back. Part of good diagnostic skill is to be objective and not enter the analysis with any preconceived notions to seek or exclude what might be "good" or "bad." Just my way of seeking answers.

 

[opt_ms3]

Install oil catch can, weld hi-flow cat into midpipe, and switch to 5w-40 oil. stock turbo loves to smoke

 

[stormin84]

Get the ATR and up the idle speed to 800 rpms instead of the 650 rpms from stock and the car will stop smoking (worked for me )

 

[specvspeedfreak]

or do what i did.. go to the dealer and get the TSB done for it.. now i have a new turbo, all new gaskets and even had my DNP manifold installed for free from them and no issue. if you are afraid cause you are not stock don't worry, i aint either...they still covered it. car doesnt smoke anymore and man the car is intense now w/ the manifold

 

[MSMS3]

OP? What say ye? Have any info for us?

 

[08SPEED3Veteran]

sorry its been raining alot where I am like every day so I havnt gotten a chance to check things. anyone in the upper east coast know what im talking about lol. But today is looking promising so ill feel around and post what I find.

 

[08SPEED3Veteran]

So I went out and ran some errands came home and let the car sit for a few minutes. I swabbed the soot in the exhaust and the best way to describe it is a kind of Greasy but its really not overly wet feeling. In the couplers I found minimal oil residue. There is a little, but very light which I am told is not unusual for the speed 3. Ive been told by several people to try the catch can and see how that works. And to be honest, its about 80 degrees with no rain and the smoke was almost non existent today lol. Let me know what you think i should do.

 

[MSMS3]

O.K.

Here's my read on your report.

Your couplers should be dry. If there is any oil or other liquid there, then you are taking some oil and probably water, back into the intake through the PCV valve and would benefit from an oil catch can.

The oil feel on the exhaust "soot" is sort of subjective. Since you describe it as not really wet, then this would also be consistent with crankcase blow by from the high boost and high compression getting back into the intake through the PCV valve and being only partially burned.

I can't rule out some oil getting past the turbo seals due to excessive pressure in the oil line, but your description suggests that this is minimal.

I would:

1. Get a good catch can and install it correctly (instructions in other threads).

2. Check it regularly and see what you are collecting. It will surprise you.

3. After a week or so, let us know if your "smoking" diminishes.

4. Check your oil dipstick regularly. If you are not seeing a decrease in level on the dipstick between oil changes, there is little to worry about, regardless of the source of the "smoke."

5. If you are seeing a noticable change in dipstick level, or if the "smoking" gets worse after the catch can, you may be one of the very few with a true turbo problem.

For what it's worth, my MS3 is now the fifth turbocar I've owned, the others were turbo Saabs and Volvos. I upgraded every one with a down pipe and race pipe, running catless and with factory "upgrade" ECU's designed to run higher boost and use premium fuels. All of them ran Garrett turbos, variations of either T4 or T04 models. After the increase in boost to the 14-16 pound range they all "smoked." The common denominator is high boost in high compression ratio engines and ECU's tuned for premium fuel.

From what you are telling me so far, I'd say get the catch can and just enjoy your car.

 

[08SPEED3Veteran]

sounds great. I believe Im either going to get the greddy or the perrin catch can. Or if anyone has any suggestions on a brand let me know. Thanks for the help. Ill post back as soon as I see the results of the can.