1997 850 huge oil consumption no leaks

[misha]

Check the turbo.
There are 99.9% of chance that HE is the culprit for that abnormal oil consumption.
It's not necessary to leak externally when it go bad.
It can leak into combustion chamber and give you those clouds of smoke you have.

[m491]

The PVC was done about 20,000 miles ago so that shouldn't be the issue. I did run a different type of oil (NAPA brand) instead of my normal Quaker State but find that hard to be the cause.

I'm going to rent the compression tool and see what the numbers are later today. Hopefully 180 across the board (dry).

I will certainly post what I find.

By the way, I have been looking for a step by step turbo replacement guide and can't find one. With all the tutorials I can't believe this isn't one of them on the web. If that appears to be the hunch and I replace it it looks straight forward to replace but I'm not sure how to get behind the engine to do the work. is it done from underneath the car or from on top?

[abscate]

The PVC was done about 20,000 miles ago so that shouldn't be the issue. I did run a different type of oil (NAPA brand) instead of my normal Quaker State but find that hard to be the cause.

I'm going to rent the compression tool and see what the numbers are later today. Hopefully 180 across the board (dry).

I will certainly post what I find.

By the way, I have been looking for a step by step turbo replacement guide and can't find one. With all the tutorials I can't believe this isn't one of them on the web. If that appears to be the hunch and I replace it it looks straight forward to replace but I'm not sure how to get behind the engine to do the work. is it done from underneath the car or from on top?

Yes.

I think there is some stuff in VRD

Before to even think of turbo replacement, take of th einduction hose and try side to side play ( a little bit is fine) and axial play ( any play is bad). If these are ok, leave it alone.

[tryingbe]

is it done from underneath the car or from on top?

Both.

Open the hood, and the raise it all the way by moving the lever at both side of the hood
Drain coolant
Disconnect the strut bar if you have one
Take off intake pipings and hoses
Disconnect the vacumm hoses at the turbo
Take heat shields off
Disconnect downpipe
*Check shaft play before taking the turbo off, if no shaft play or minimal, it is probably not broken.*
Disconnect the water hoses, either the soft lines or banjo bolts
Undo the bottom two bolts and the clamps and bracket from the bottom
Undo the oil feed banjo bolt at the block
Undo the top two bolts (last bolts to take off)
You might need a slight tap from a hammer to break the turbo loose, pull straight up and that will disconnect the oil return line at the block
I get it out the top with all the hard lines still attach to it.

Most of the time, the studs will want to come out with the nuts, let them. I would also soak them in penetrating oil first before starting to ensure no broken studs later.

[RussB]

The fact that he ran the car with zero oil is troubling. The engine may be gone...

[m491]

It actually took 3 quarts to get back to proper level. But it was very low by any measure.

[misha]

3 quarts of oil is not 0.
'97 oil sump capacity is 6l.
So...it ran with half less oil.Engine was not dry.

[m491]

I did the compression test and got 170 across the board on all cylinders dry. I was careful not to tighten down the Harbor Freight compression tester too tight since reviewers said it would get stuck in the plug hole. I tightened up the last one a bit more and the number was just under 180. By the way, I caught their sidewalk sale today and paid $18 for the test kit with the normal 20% coupon.

I have to get a new ply cover for the one plug boot that tore. It tore about 3/4 inch off so I guess I can't put it back together until getting a new plug wire set?

So I guess the turbo is the source of the white smoke?

[misha]

I'm still convinced that turbo is the source of your problems,just like the first time i read this post.

White smoke can ONLY be from burning coolant.Bad turbo produce BLUE smoke just like bad engine.

Black smoke=unburnt fuel
Blue smoke=burning oil
White smoke=burning coolant

Simple as that.

[m491]

I have to be honest it's hard to say what the color actually is. It's very light so when light is hitting it I'd say it's whitefish. It happens at startup the most. I have to get my hands on the turbo and see what kind of play it has.

For what it's worth, don't use non OEM/OE plug wires. The junk on this car was fused to the walls surrounding the plug. I greased them up with dialectic grease so they should come off easier when I get the smoke issue sorted out and do a proper tune up and replacing the plug wires at that time.