[Scotauto]

At the weekend my 1999 vito 112 cdi began giving problems. While driving it sounded ike the turbo was "whirring" more than normal, then a lack of power with it then smoking through the exhaust excessively, so much that t seems to have drained enough oil so there is no oil (via the dipstick) I had it towed back to workshop and will begin stripping Down.
Can a broken turbo really use so much oil in a short time? Is it the turbo? any other suggestions? What about internal damage to the engine?
I have sourced another block if required. Any other checks I can do.

On another note my auto gearbox at around 2000revs chnged Down then up the Down then up etc.... I noticed that both oi pipes from the gearbox are kinked and have flat spots where they are bent. Could this cause the problem or is the gearbox faulty?

 

[[email protected]]

firstly.... what colour smoke?

black is soot / unburnt fuel and not a big worry
white could be oil but probably water
blue / grey is oil and a problem

I attach info on smoke

2nd point.... oil use

not likely to be the turbo.... turbo malfunction normally leads to unburnt fuel and black smoke.... especially when accelerating or changing gear

that amount of oil use is more likely blown rings

 

[Scotauto]

Thanks for your reply..

smoke is definetly oil burning. If the turbo is really badly broken it can push oil back into the engine leaving the intake manifold full of oil(which it is) and oil on top of the pistons which will then burn out of the exhaust. there will still be pressure from the broken turbo pushing oil in the engine while it is trying to get out the exhaust. I haven't managed to remove the turbo yet but will do asap for inspection. I'm expecting the shaft to we worn considerably. The problem can of course as you suggest be piston rings, which could also be caused by the lack of oil in the sump after it has burnt out the exhaust. I actually checked the oil before leaving that day so it wasn't low when I left. I think my intake manifold has been leaking also as the front left (looking at the engine from in front of the car) as there is considerable oilage there. the blowback oil from the turbo or piston rings will also send it back out the intake manifold and subsequently out the leaking(or cracked) intake manifold. do you agree with that description? I can already see from inspection the front pipe of the exhaust, after the turbo is leaking oil.

 

[[email protected]]

I think you've answered your own problem.... if the turbo has gone the way you suspect, it is probably working as a pump on the reservoir and shoving the oil out wholesale.

in many ways you're lucky it kept going, as it sounds like you were almost at the point it would seize the engine

I hope you get the unit out easily and that it is the sole cause of the problem

malcolm

 

[Scotauto]

ok thanks.. I hope I have stopped in time...and the pistons, rings or bores aren't damaged...

 

[David Corlett]

Hi Scotauto,

If that happens on the motorway it destroys the engine before you would even realise whats happening. Sadly i would put money on the turbo as the white smoke would be the unburnt engine oil cooking instantly in the exhaust, like those jet cars do on the drag strip when messing about.
Its abit of a challange to get the turbo out but replacements can be bought for around £250 for a service exchange. The turbotech lads in Poland are really great and really know how to build quality ones, having bought 1 for me and 1 for my brothers which has been 4 years of trouble free motoring they are just good at turbo rebuilds. I don't work for them just found them to be decent to deal with.

Good luck.

David

 

[Scotauto]

Fortunately (I hope) I pulled in to the side pretty quickly and was driving vey gently as I could feel something was not right ...so I'm crossing my fingers for no internal damage. I have another turbo.. I'm guesing the bolts that hold the turbo to the manifold will need heat to stop them breaking... Unfortunately I'm going to have to let the rest of the oil (on top of pistons) burn through the exhaust if I want to avoid removing the cylinder head. I'l tr and rig something up so it can run out the manifold without the new turbo or exhaust fitted. Maybe make a plate to cover the pipe on the engine block. Any thoughts on that?

 

[viper.5004]

usually when the turbo goes if for any reason you where losing oil at any given rate, before any engine would occur, you would see the oil warning light come on so i would say 90% sure if the light did not come on then no engine damage.

 

[Scotauto]

the oil light was not on when I pulled in... good news hopefully.

 

[David Corlett]

I agree. No oil light, good save i hope

David

 

[Scotauto]

Got the turbo off and it's completely recked!!!! I have a video.. how can I upload that?

 

[Scotauto]

 

[Scotauto]

Just an update.. Got the car running today. Everything seems to be ok. Still smoking a little as everything Burns away from inside.

 

[[email protected]]

glad to hear it's working out ok

keep an eye on the oil level and I would recommend either getting it terra-diesel'ed or using an injector cleaner e.g millers oil diesel additive (I'm an unashamed fan of both)... don't use the additive at over double the recommended daily dose as it will tend to remove the cylinder carbon in big lumps, causing it to sound like a load of marbles in the engine and exhaust, whilst giving lousy running untill all the crap goes... done this myself, several times, and its frightening and could (but I've never come across it) cause severe damage.... at double norma dosage the crap burns off slowly and you get better mpg (kpl) at the same time.... terradiesel gets better results and cleans all sensors etc as it does it, takes about 2 to 4 hrs and around 80 to 120euro (I paid 90euro locally)

keep us informed (on THIS thread)

malcolm

 

[Scotauto]

I've had the car for a good run today.. About 100km on country roads and in the town and no problems.Bit of smoke for the first 5-10 mins. Now there is no smoke...yes! Job Well done...! I'll probably do an injector clean fluid as Malcolm suggests. Doesn't Seem to be using oil either..��