1998 V70 T5 - oil leak/smoke on acceleration/deceleration

[Seaway]

Another fun update:

While the replacement turbo I got had no play in the shaft and looked great, it had a crack in the compressor housing. The seller was very understanding and refunded my money, which was good. I have decided to simply order a new, pre-balanced CHRA which I am hoping will arrive by this weekend. I am going to pull the turbo and all associated lines and hoses, clean everything and then swap out the cartridge and reinstall. I was going to get a rebuild kit, but the cost for a new, balanced CHRA was not bad and it seemed like a better route to take then possibly rebuilding the cartridge and having it end up out of balance.

[Ozark Lee]

Out of curiosity, how much did you get dinged for the CHRA? I've been paying around $70.00 for the genuine Mitsubishi rebuild kits. Do they require a core swap?

...Lee

[Seaway]

The CHRA was $200 with no core swap. The best price on a genuine Mitsubishi rebuild kit that I found was $75. With zero experience in opening up a turbo, let alone rebuilding one, I feel like the complete, balanced CHRA is the best way to go for me. Plus it will allow me to get the project done in a day which is a good thing as this is my only car.

[Ozark Lee]

That makes a ton of sense. I certainly don't have the tools to balance one myself and I've scribed marks to line back up to. The marks would put it back where it was originally but I can never get all of the crud off of the impellers so I know it isn't spot on balanced. I haven't had any real trouble but I think they could be better and the CHRA method deals with all of it in one fell swoop.

After you swap it out please post back your observations. On the face if it I like the idea.

...Lee

[erikv11]

Robert, I sent you a PM.

[Seaway]

That makes a ton of sense. I certainly don't have the tools to balance one myself and I've scribed marks to line back up to. The marks would put it back where it was originally but I can never get all of the crud off of the impellers so I know it isn't spot on balanced. I haven't had any real trouble but I think they could be better and the CHRA method deals with all of it in one fell swoop.

After you swap it out please post back your observations. On the face if it I like the idea.

...Lee

I definitely will post up the results. My plan is to remove the entire turbo so I can get it all clean. I know that I could simply remove the cold side and then put it back together without removing the exhaust side from the manifold, but I have been hitting the manifold bolts with PB Blaster and I feel good about getting them off. The downpipe was just off last weekend, so I know that won't be an issue.

I plan on removing all the oil lines and coolant lines and blowing them out with compressed air and then giving them a cleaning as well. I got a new CBV gasket/spring kit which I am going to put on with the turbo out of the car. I will then put it all back together with new washers and gaskets. I am looking forward to doing it. I would love it if the car didn't smoke anymore.

[abscate]

I don't have any oil burning in my T5, but I came down the Route 79 hill into Ithaca in 2nd gear, and at the bottom just about smoke screened the entire road with white smoke from the valve seals on over-run. It smoked for about another 2-3 minutes, then it was fine.

I think the valve seals can be worn and occasionally give you symptoms.

[rspi]

[skippy]

So what ever happened with this? Did you resolve the smoke issue? How about the leak issue? Were they related or completely separate issues? Just wondering because I have both issues as well. Let us know what your final results were. Thanks!!

[Seaway]

I replaced the CHRA in the turbo and the smoke went away. The old seals were completely shot and the shaft had significant play. It was a relatively simple fix.

The oil leak I had ended up being from the oil pressure sensor on the front of the block. I was able to get a long wrench on it from underneath the car. Since then, everything has been dry.

I did all of this back in March and the car has been running fine. No smoke, no leaks. If I had it to do again and I had the time, I would likely send the whole turbo somewhere to be rebuilt. It would be nice to know that everything is performing up to spec, and the cost isn't really all that much more. it doesn't take all that much time to replace the turbo, and it is pretty straight forward.