TD42 turbo: starting issues - smoke and a miss

[Mark2]

My TD42 with aftermarket turbo (old AIT system - in a GQ) has started to smoke for a few seconds on cold startup. Smoke is blueish white (more whitish if I forget to glow and it cranks a bit before starting). Still does it even if it starts in 'half a crank'. Turbo is a bit oily on the outside but goes well and engine oil hasnt needed a topup in the last 5000km - not sure if its been putting out blue smoke on startup all this time - only started to take notice recently.

I know the white is probably unburnt fuel from the cranking but the blue would be oil - am thinking valve stem seals (not worried about these) or turbo issues (worried about this).

The other thing is, on a cold start, it will start instantly, with a reasonable glow, but when hot, always takes a few cranks, regardless of the glow itime. On a cold sart, it also has a bit of a miss for a few seconds once it fires - I've put the miss down to a glow plug or two not playing the game - is this a likely explanation?

Any ideas appreciated...

[coxy321]

Has the car been drowned at any time in the past?

If you have oil in or around your turbo, it might pay to fit an oil catch can between your PCV valve and the intake. This will show either one of two things:

1- You have excessive blow-by, which will show up by a lot of oil being caught in the catch can.

2- You have "normal" blowby, and the oil in your turbo is from a leaking seal in the turbo. This can create blue exhaust smoke (from the oil), and is generally NOT good for you engine. Given that its an "old" kit, i'd say its fairly likely that the turbo is due for a rebuild.

Turbo rebuild will cost anywhere from $300 up to $1300 if you want it high flowed etc at the same time. Might be better/cheaper/easier to get a new unit (and upgrade at the same time!).

For the price ($70-$100), i would replace your glow plugs just for the hell of it. I'd also look at replacing your injectors too (about $500 ish).

Good luck!

[Mark2]

Thanks for the reply.

I dont know a lot about the history of the engine but theres been no suggestion its been drowned - I know a bent rod will cause a miss but this goes away a few seconds after starting.

I think the blow by is fairly normal - there's no catch can fitted but is only ever a small amount of oil in the airbox.

Sounds like I need to spend some money regardless......

[coxy321]

Have you got a rough idea of how many kms the turbo has done?

[Mark2]

Not really, turbo has been on it since new (1989) but I know its been rebuilt at some stage in the last 420,000 km.

The shaft has a fair bit of side play but no end float.

[coxy321]

Even if its been done in the last half of its life, thats still 200,000km. So yes, its probably time for another freshen up.

Have a troll through the forum and pick out 5-6 recommended turbo/performance or diesel workshops and then start doing the ring around for prices. You will find that they will vary a lot in price and also delivery time. Given that it is only the turbo, it shouldn't be a drama posting it interstate either.

Just to get you started, I'll be calling the following people when my turbo needs some loving:

- Diesel-Tec (Lilydale, VIC)
- PGS (Mornington, VIC)
- Turbo Engineering (Thomastown, VIC)
- ProMaz (Thomastown, VIC)

Good luck with it - make sure you post back up with the results/price etc when its done!

[B.D.R]

If it has a lot of side play in the shaft, the fans can hit the houseing, causing all sorts of grief.

Don't for get Hyper Gear as well for Highflowing a turbo 0413 457 185, they did mine and i'm stocked with there work and Price

[phippsey]

Mine still does the same sometimes when really cold, like minus temp

But easy start when hot. I replaced injectors, glowplugs and turbo, but still does it from time to time

[Mark2]

If it has a lot of side play in the shaft, the fans can hit the houseing, causing all sorts of grief.

Don't for get Hyper Gear as well for Highflowing a turbo 0413 457 185, they did mine and i'm stocked with there work and Price

I can actually feel it scraping the side of the housing when holding it in one direction and trying to turn it. My theory is that when the bearings have an oil film on them and its spinning, it should stay centered.........its been like this since I bought it (10,000 km ago)

[pongo]

oil on the outside could be anything at a guess.

Try looking for air in the fuel, maybe a slightly loose hose or filter