Anthony 1,003 Posted December 4, 2007 Do the following symptoms sound like an turbo failure on an XUD9TE engine (my ZX TD)? Engine started fine, idles smoothly and drives fine off boost. No hunting or "run-away" to suggest it's burning oil Turbo appears to spool up OK and provide some boost (don't have a boost gauge so not sure how much), but engine does feel a little down on power subjectively After being on-boost for 2-3 seconds (accelerating for example) and letting off, there is a frankly comical amount of whitish/blue smoke out of the back which persists for several seconds. No smoke out of the back at idle, nor (from what I can see in the mirror) on off-boost cruise Coolant temperature is normal (approx 80 degrees) and not over-heating Smoke was very bad for the first 5 minutes of my commute to work (as in you couldn't see the car behind you) but it improved to a point when the engine was upto temperature 228k miles on the engine and turbo, so it's had a fair old innings. Only other thought is possible head gasket, as the engine has been using a small amount of coolant for the past few thousand miles, but I would really have expected other symptoms for a major HG failure and not for it only to smoke after boost? It's been run on veg-oil mix for the past 3-4k miles or so, but problems from that usually are related to the injector pump siezing/snapping as far as I know and that seems to be working fine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kyepan 291 Posted December 4, 2007 (edited) Simple check, pull off the turbo inlet hose, and check for end float (in out movement of the compressor shaft along its axis of rotation), too much and the seals may not be .. sealing, letting oil round into the into the compressor, or impellor housing, also visually its quite easy to see if the compressor blades/ housing has signs of lots of oil around, there should be very little, ideally none. hope this helps, J Edited December 4, 2007 by kyepan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sutol 0 Posted December 4, 2007 (edited) 228k miles on the engine and turbo, so it's had a fair old innings. Whoops, wrong engine... It sound like the symptoms of oil geting from sump to inlet, like when you add too much oil to sump so it could be something simple like pipes. Have you kinked the pipe that runs from the rocker cover across the front of the engine. I would say it was a restriction in the plumbing Edited December 4, 2007 by sutol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mbayley77 0 Posted December 4, 2007 If it is the turbo I have one in the garage A KKK one with 80K on it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benje 0 Posted December 4, 2007 Whats it smoke like when warm and on idle? The turbo on my Fiat coupe was fine as long as it wasnt idling for periods of time, whilst warm. Sent it off to Turbo Dynamics (Highly recomended by the way) and it ended up costing me £360 all in as it had the following: Oil seals New turbine shaft New thrust bearing New bearing throughout New actuator So in short, it was completely knackered, despite only ever smoking whilst idling for long periods of time. Ben Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,657 Posted December 4, 2007 (edited) is the smoke bluey white? could be leaky injectors, we often have coaches and trucks in the yard that will start and idle fine in the morning, but the second the accelerator is pressed hey presto! you can't see the other side of the yard! once warmed up they're fine, is that the case with yours? it its the turbo the intercooler+pipework will be full of oil, but check that the intake pipework isn't oily due to the breather in the airbox. if you can get a boost gauge to check the boost it should be anywhere between 11-14, though many have been known to be as low as 8psi standard and still drive quite well. (peak boost should be full load, 3k rpm in 3rd.....) Edited December 4, 2007 by welshpug Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anthony 1,003 Posted December 5, 2007 Good news is that I'm pretty sure the turbo's fine. Bad news is that I think it's the head gasket that's let go instead Driving back yesterday it got worse and some more symptoms appeared that pointed more at the headgasket - started running hot, significant pressure in the cooling system, and using alot of coolant. Not quite sure why it was only "smoking" (obviously mostly steam in hindsight - although the oil level has dropped since the weekend which would explain the blue hue) after working the turbo and when cold, but it was. Not sure whether it's worth spending the time and money replacing the head gasket on the current engine given it's on 228k and bound to be well past it's best, so I'll keep my eyes open for another engine given they're pretty common. If anyone's got a spare engine for reasonable money let me know Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,657 Posted December 5, 2007 these engines are as near as bulletproof as you can get if looked after Anthony, my Mum's 405 sprung a headgasket leak on the corner behind the fuel pump (where an oil feed goes into the head) which was at 222k miles, its now on 265k miles and still going strong. if all the ancilaries (i.e Turbo fuel pump etc) are god then its worth some time. to give an idea of the prices GSF wil sell you the following; headgasket set £27.50 (inc h/g) rocker gasket £4.95 headbolt set £14.50 and of course a cambelt kit £64.50. a pressure test + skim is around the £40 mark. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
