Smoke out of Oil Air Filter

FtoSam · Post by **FtoSam** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 8:02 pm

Hey guys...
7 days....

Thats the time since my last problem...
Anyway....
I have an oil catch/overflow can with an air filter on it.. as pictured below.. (far right hand side)

Anyway i noticed a little puff of white smoke out of my vent on the bonnet as i parked the other day... hrmmm thought i...
It happened again today and i opened my bonnet expecting to see overheating prob..
but no... little whiffs of white smoke out of the little air filter on the oil overflow can.
hrmmm possibly not good thought i...
On the phone to my stepdad... he said to undo the oil cap to see if it was under pressure (from some turbo blowback)
None...
So i dont know... should this be normal? its not very much but is quite noticable if under load at low kmh.. like taking off quickly from a set of lights.. At speeds i assume it goes under the car instead of out the bonnet..
Anyway, its not much at all... but should there be any???

Much appreciated guys...

khunjeng · Post by **khunjeng** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 8:39 pm

too late to lok for blowby once its happened....so thats kinda *~dreamy~*.

Urs seeing some blowby...too much blowby isn't good as it indicates the rings aren't sealing properly however blowby is going to happen as your engine gets older.

try and catch all the oil...so u can judge how much is being sucked in. U might find its nott hat much. I would use a stainless steel scourer in the catch can to help the oil vapour condense.

The PCV usually operates under vacume or mostly when the throttle is closed..so to me it makes sense that some smoke/vapour goes off when your stopping. however im no expert on the PCV...

Or. do a compression test to see if there are any problems.

FtoSam · Post by **FtoSam** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 10:53 pm

PCV what the?
Engine was replaced and should have around 120,000kms on it now. Already had major service done.. Also Rick did $1500 of work on fixing an oil leak and replacing rubbers? or something..

Is it bad?

Can i still flog it?

Should i prepare to replace something costly?

If i need to replace the rings (i.e. open up the internals) im thinking of taking the engine out and putting another engine in and working on the other one (i.e. forge it all to run high boost) should i start looking for another engine?

Thanks KJ.... always there to answer my Qs..

FtoSam · Post by **FtoSam** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 12:48 pm

Really need explanation of the above...
where will do a compression test?

kid_dynamite · Post by **kid_dynamite** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 1:47 pm

Any mechanic will do a compression test, or you can get a kit from any auto-shop to do it yourself. Would also be worth doing a leakdown test at the same time as it identify pressure loss through the cylinders (whereas a compression test is more useful for checking overall engine health).

I wouldn't be too worried though if it's just a little smoke. After a drive if you pop the bonnet you can see mist from my catch can.

How is your catch can set up? Does it have sufficient baffling inside to slow down the velocity of gases? (ie internal baffles or steel wool). Might also want to consider a non-venting setup.

kermut · Post by **kermut** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 2:13 pm

lol samson i had the same problem rings were cracked had a new engine put in...no point in doing a turbo on a fto unless u plan on doing the inside
lmao but i ran too much boost on my fto mistake thats how mine happen

FtoSam · Post by **FtoSam** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 2:42 pm

Well i had the original engine replace 12 months ago this week. 3 months ago Joe and Ricks did heaps of work with rubbers and whatnot.. but not internals.

How much should a compression test kit cost? The health of my engine is of utmost importance to me. I would love to get a kit that i could use weekly.
I've had it done on the old engine though..

There is enough smoke for someone next to me at the lights to be wondering What the fruck is coming out of my bonnet... It really looks like the car is overheating from outside.. If i saw a car doing it next to me at a set of lights, i'd wind down my window and tell the driver.. And this only really started a week or so ago..had catch can on for 2 months.

Bit embarrasing sometimes.. Cant be normal..
And i dont know the setup of the Catch Can.. Came with the Turbo kit...

Is it even usefull? Or is it just taking up space?

Im always at work during the week and almost no mechanics are open on weekends. That kit sounds like an awesome idea.

kid_dynamite · Post by **kid_dynamite** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 2:53 pm

Comp tester kit shouldn't cost more than $50. Some will come with components to do a leak-down test but you need a compressor too.

If it's started only recently, then it could be a good indication your rings are on their way out. Too much pressure on stock rings = bye bye. This is one reason why you usually sleeve your block when you're building up an N/A motor for forced induction.

Catch can is good if you have blowby to prevent excessive oil fouling up combustion -> detonation inhibitor. But it doesn't need to be vented to atmosphere.

Post by **Bennoz** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 3:10 pm

I'd be going back to your mechanic asap. He built it, he blew it... and he's *~dreamy~*.

FtoSam · Post by **FtoSam** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 3:13 pm

Hrmm i'd rather never see that guy again... but if i have to i will...

Compressor as in an air compressor??? (I dont have one)

Sleeve the block? Please explain... Also include rough time and $$..

I Love My car..

Post by **Bennoz** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 3:16 pm

Sleeve the block = engine rebuild

Get a diagnosis, we're not getting very far here with speculation. Everything that has been suggested is very expensive & engine out. Lets start from the top.

FtoSam · Post by **FtoSam** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 3:18 pm

Righto... I will go across the road to the mechanic and try and get one done now... How much should i expect to pay?

kid_dynamite · Post by **kid_dynamite** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 3:21 pm

Not more than $60. Make sure you tell him you want both a compression test and a leakdown test done. Then post up the results.

FtoSam · Post by **FtoSam** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 3:22 pm

righto... brb

Post by **Bennoz** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 3:31 pm

But if they do a compression test on each cylinder, aren't they are going to have to pull the inlet manifold off to get to the rear 3?.... be more than 60 bucks

FtoSam · Post by **FtoSam** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 3:47 pm

Thats what the guy just said to me.
He also asked if it had any little mods like pod filter or perhaps an exhaust...
I started to explain... he cut me short...
"I dont wanna know" he said
Pointed me in the direction of Gun performance. open till 5:30

So im just about to ring them. He said they deal with turbo jap imports and mitsu's regularly.
So might ask him if he'll do a special price for:
-Clutch (just labour)
-3" Exhaust (not including cannons)
-Compression and leakage tests
all at once..
lol... Yet to find a reliable mechanic.
might as well give him a shot..

Post by **Bennoz** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 3:54 pm

lol the old 'Im not a gynecologist, but I'll have a look at it' theory

FtoSam · Post by **FtoSam** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 4:00 pm

Lol... Its hard enough to find someone that knows about FTO's let alone applying a Turbo to one..
Only other turbo one up here is Adz and he doesnt have an overflow can.

Going to go down there after work and see what they're like..

kid_dynamite · Post by **kid_dynamite** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 4:23 pm

Bennoz wrote:But if they do a compression test on each cylinder, aren't they are going to have to pull the inlet manifold off to get to the rear 3?.... be more than 60 bucks

Woops, forgot about that. I was set to 'inline 6' mode

Post by **Bennoz** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 4:25 pm

kid_dynamite wrote:
Bennoz wrote:But if they do a compression test on each cylinder, aren't they are going to have to pull the inlet manifold off to get to the rear 3?.... be more than 60 bucks
Woops, forgot about that. I was set to 'inline 6' mode

Too much time gazing at the ole' RB26 for you mate!