Raven33

Hi everyone, I found a leak in the hose running from the PCV valve to the intake plenum, while trying to remove it to get it fixed/replaced I managed to split the grommet for the PCV valve - ended up having to remove the rocker cover to get it out. Making a 5 minute job take almost an hour *sigh*. So now I've got a cracked hose and no grommet for the PCV valve. I did however have one of those little air filters which by some spectacular fluke actually fits really well. After taking the car for a drive and removing the filter I had to freeze it for 5 minutes just to get it back in. I've read a lot of stuff about various catch can setups and seen some people have a setup that completely removes the PCV valve from the picture - and the subsequent caution of becoming pig food. Now I know that having this little filter where it is; isn't legal - I'm not so worried about that as much as I am about this setup being less then ideal for crank case pressure - or something else that I haven't considered. The car is running fine now, I didn't see anything wrong with oil pressure or temps - idle is smooth again and holding boost a lot better - I don't wanna do any damage just to save myself the work. Would you run a mini air filter and block off the hose from the plenum instead of running a PCV valve/blocking it off completely? I can get a pic of the engine bay if needed to show what I've done. Tell me what you think peoples! ~Raven

well I've compared the stock bov to the turbosmart one - they both seem to be working in the same fashion as far as I can tell. driving the car with the sotck bov and pod filter the car makes the normal pssshht again. The only theory I have is - when I was originally running the turbosmart bov I was running higher boost than I am now (still being safe running at 7psi since new core) perhaps the lower boost now + maybe a slightly harder setting on the bov itself was enough to stop the pressure being able to open the bov anyone able to confirm if this could be the case ? still getting the slight idle wave, though it does seem to be less today - hoping it's just a bad seal on one of the intake pipes somewhere.

I just put the stock bov back on - seeing as putting the other one on didn't change the idle problem. i'll take it for a burl tomorrow, see how it goes.

*begins removing bov* is there anything i can do to make sure it's working as it should? +edit: the resistance on the turbosmart on it's softest setting feels the same as the stock bov by hand - this is the setting i had it at

Hi everyone My pride and joy series 1 R33 gts-t has been a bit sick. So I've been messing around with the intake pipes a lot since I had to send my KKR 430 turbo away for a new core. when I took the turbo off I reverted a couple of things back to stock - turbosmart plumb-back bov and pod filter came off, and original items went back on. However since I refitted the turbo I've been getting this idle wave I've tried heaps of stuff to fix it to no avail - I even got an R34GTT SMIC - so I figured it must be something todo with the stock bov, so I put on the turbosmart, plumb it back the same way I had when I first installed it and slapped the pod filter back on, for now - just because it's easier to work with. The sound change from standard to this setup above was originally just a louder induction sound and the blow-off "PSSSSHHHHTT" Now the exact same setup - the only thing changed is new turbo core - and it goes "voot voot voot" and I'm not sure if I it's just me - but I swear after a gear change the car seemed really gutless for a sec - not just turbo-lag gutless - but really flat, till it hit boost and it was fine. Does this sort of thing sound familiar to anyone? would the new core be the cause of the sound change - I would think it's something else... perhaps the same something causing the pissy idle hunting which is still happening - no differently. Ultimately my goal is to fix the idle - I'm just curious about this new blow-off sound. Thanks for reading and any questions or suggestions swing me a pm or post on here - I'll have the page open for a few days. ~Raven.

after resetting the ECU the engine check light stopped doing it's thing. Something that I noticed was, when the motor was off with the ignition on and you have all the warning lights in the dash light up - the engine check light was NOT on while I was having this problem. After the ECU reset the check engine light came on with the ignition and turned off with the others once the motor was running. So long story short: If you check your ECCS codes and then have the engine check light flashing somewhat randomly while driving, just reset the ECU before trying to locate a problem with the motor. Disconnect battery, pump the brakes a couple of times, turn the headlights on if you want, reconnect the battery once the car has been sitting for 24 hours (I only waited 2 hours, might be best to wait 24 hours) If you've reset the ECU and still having the engine check light come on and off then I'd suggest you have a bigger problem. Hope this helps someone. ~Raven

So I followed the instructions given above on my series 1 r33 gtst. my ecu only has 1 light, not exactly rocket science to work out how to read that - however. I turn the ignition to "on" turn the screw on the ECU clockwise, red light turns on and stays on (no blinking - that isn't what i was expecting) so I turn the screw back a touch, and it gives me 5 long 5 short aka 55 = no errors logged. (guess I'm in mode 3) feeling rather proud that I have no ecu errors I continue the instructions given and turn my ignition off. When taking it for it's first drive after this, I was maybe 1km from my house before the check engine light starts blinking at me. I pulled over popped the bonnet(motor running), nothing seemed out the ordinary, get back in the car.... no check engine light... hmmm Cautiously, I started back in the direction of home and before i was into 2nd gear the light is popping on and off... sometimes a short flash other times it just comes on for a few seconds, no obvious pattern - I'm certain it's not giving me error codes in real-time. I've reread and redone the whole error code retrieval a couple of times, right now I have the battery disconnected trying to reset the ecu. Has anyone had something like this happen? I really need to get this sorted, I will not drive the car while it's telling me there's a problem - even though it seems to be running just fine. any advice would be greatly appreciated any questions happily answered. PLEASE HELP

hey mate, still got the turbo? does it have the oil/water lines with it ? do you have the standard dump pipe aswell? ~Raven

OK after checking the plenum with some better light, I can see the sticky oil build up is only around the TB butterfly - on the inside, I'll just clean that with some throttle body cleaner. Jarrod: Ahhhh now I see what you mean. The smoking first started before I had installed the catch can, so the fumes from the breather hose would have been getting sucked out - so it can't be the catch can causing the problem - might be making it worse though. Like I said there's not sign at all of oil in the catch can or the hoses to it, not even a fine coating - So I'm thinking I might as well take it off and go back to stock setup, and try get hold of another turbo and dump pipe. thanks for your input man, much appreciated. Anyone else have a suggestion?

whoa dude, you've confused the crap out of me. you used to have bad blow by, that would blow oil out the turbo seals? - I thought blow by was the oily air that comes out the breather hoses and had very little todo with the turbo, more todo with engine condition? *runs off to look up the definition of blow by* forgot to add, I had the dump pipe off for about a week and there was no sign of any oil during that time from the back of the turbo, there was nothing worrying at all on that side of the turbo.

Well, I just finished checking the piping around the turbo. Found oil pool at the turbo inlet again, not as bad as the first time however. The piping from the turbo to the intercooler and to plenum is slightly oily, maybe a little too much considering that's not even 4 hours of drive time since it was cleaned. Out of curiosity while putting everything back on, I flicked open the throttle and aimed a torch into my plenum, there's jet black oil all over the inside of it, it's rather thick, rubs off easy - really slimy/sticky. So now I'm really worried, I was excited for a bit there "woot it's just the turbo". Guess the best place to start would be with cleaning it? any ideas?

is there anyway I can confirm it's the turbo without swapping it with another one?

quick update: changed the spark plugs, nothing out of the ordinary there. also setup the catch can to vent to atmo just so i could rule out the PCV - made no difference. so I'm thinking it's either turbo or something with the valves is causing the problem - gonna pull the SMIC and piping out tonight see if i get any clues from there. anyone got any other suggestions? I'm leaning away from the turbo being the problem as it always stops smoking when i get on boost, any chance it could still be the turbo? talk soon, ~Raven

hiya paulr33 It just suddenly started doing it one day, about a month before xmas. before it started the only things that I changed were: atmo bov, got over that pretty quick - put the stock on back on. and same thing with a pod filter, put one on, didn't like it, went back to panel filter with new K&N. ohhh and I followed the guide in DIY on AAC Valve cleaning & idle reset that went fine and was about 2 months before the smoke first started. http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/Di...nd-t110431.html ^link to AAC valve cleaning guide^

Hey peoples, The problem: my S1 r33gts-t blows slightly blue smoke within 30 secs of cold start, and it keeps smoking until I give it enough to get some boost in there, then it stops, if i drive it SUPER gently for long enough it starts again (gently enough to have a glass of water not tip/spill). If I get the revs up and let off suddenly - NO smoke. After a 30 minute drive it will start to blow a little smoke at idle as the turbo timer counts down(normally about 30 secs). To my knowledge it's never blown smoke on boost. What I've tried: 1) took it to Dan at E.R.D. who changed the breather hose due to it looking like it had been getting kinked by the bonnet closing - the smoke stopped for about a month, came back the same as before. 2) I replaced that breather hose with a catch can stuffed with steel wool in stockings, and a oil/filter change. this made no difference at all 3) out came the SMIC for a clean, I was very let down when there wasn't really anything to clean out. no effect (stupid amateur me didn't check all the piping) 4) DISCOVERY - a pool of oil at the mouth of the turbo inlet, looked like the breather was dumping it there over 4 years or so (when this turbo was installed- by Dan at E.R.D), it was very dark oil - not fresh, no sign of oil in the hoses to and from the catch can. There are signs of oil coming out of the turbo heading to the SMIC - I cleaned all the oil I could and checked/cleaned the rest of the piping, only the pool at the turbo inlet was wet oil - every where else was dry. I'm yet to check the SMIC again. I also checked the turbo's shaft play while I was at it - all good there... but the wheels didn't free spin to well, weren't hard to spin or rough, no sounds - just wouldn't free spin, I dunno if that's normal. My thoughts: 1) I want to try removing the PCV and block that off - not sure if I can safely do that. (see catch can pics below) 2) I guess it could be the valve stem seals - Dan said he would be surprised if this was the case, (testing my memory here) something about it running too smooth, and recalling it's last compression test scores, he wouldn't rule it out though. We couldn't get the car to blow any smoke when I got to ERD, so Dan probably thinks I'm seeing shit hahaha. So I'm hoping I can remove the PCV, I need to know if my catch can setup will work without a PCV, and how/what I should use to replace it, I'm guessing a bung of some sort - if anyone could tell me where to get one of what dimensions that would be great. this is my catch can setup, very basic style. I also think I should mention my turbo makes the "death whine" sound as it hits boost, normally once or twice a day, it could be just the v-band leaking, but I've had that refitted a couple of times and still makes this sound, normally I just back off and cruise - next time it hits boost it's fine, then it doesn't do it again for the day, although I recall a day where no matter how I drove I couldn't get it to stop howling - that was a very slow drive home. Thanks for reading my wall of text, and please any advice, tips or questions - post here or PM away!! Peace. ~Raven

just thought i'd add that my skyline is completely stock aside from the kkr430 turbo - and my budget is about $500 maybe a little more. leaning away from the KKR turbo's or any that use the V-band fitting, sick of the leak - and this is my "new exhaust money" ~Raven

Hi all, Chasing after a replacement turbo for my S1 R33 gts-t, it's currently got a shagged KKR430 on it, so I have the v-band dump pipe. A stock R33 turbo would be awesome if anyone has one with dump pipe and anything else i might need going back to a stock setup from a KKR430. I would prefer somewhere in or around Brisbane (Forest Lake specifically) for cash payment and pickup. I want to have the car back on the road by next weekend (14/3/10) so get a quick sale on a recently replaced turbo/dump pipe etc. Talk soon, and thanks for reading ~Raven

yeh I'm starting to consider ERD. whereis.com claims it's only 27 mins from my place, my main concern is driving it so far with this problem going on. I checked the water level the day after all this started, it's still full, oil on the other hand is getting lower, it's under half way on the dip stick ..it was over half way when i checked it the day before this happened, I thought I'd wait till today (monday) to do an oil change... if low oil is the cause of this feel free to shoot me. I can see oil on the out side of the turbo on the exhaust side, oil pressure stays around 4-6(closer to 8 on a cold start) on the stock gauge, never seen temp go over half way. It's a KKR 430 turbo(came on the car when i got it) everything else is stock right down the mags, I've kept boost under 10psi since i got it. Anyone have any idea how big a job turbo oil seals are? is that a "replace turbo" kinda deal or just do the seals? Thanks again. ~Raven

Hey everyone, So it's Friday night and I'm driving the 5km's from my place to my local shops where they're having a night time markets, I get there and the place is pretty loaded as you'd expect... so begins the hunt for a parking spot..... Not even 2 minutes go by and my skyline (which hasn't even hit boost since i left home on this trip) starts leaving this heart breaking trail of white smoke from it's exhaust, it's wasn't a huge amount of smoke, and it wasn't extremely dense either, anyone who looked would be able to tell it was coming from me. So I've been told that sounds like either turbo oil seal or low compression, called the local workshop (a workshop in Browns Plains associated with Auto Barn) turns out they're closed till after the new year!! wtf is that! So I need to know of a mechanic who knows turbos/skylines, preferably someone closer than bloody Yatala and open this week!! This has really gotten too me, I love my car and I'm on a fixed income (on the low end of the scale) this is my dream car... silly i know, but i have shed tears over this... totally devastated. Any help you guys can offer would be just awesome. PLEASE HELP ~Raven

thats pretty funny/f**ked up.. stupid cop reminds me of a story I heard a while back, a friend of mine didn't stop completely for a stop sign, boys in blue spotted her, pulled her over and fined her.. she ended up not paying the fine because of the way he worded it, something like "driver performed a rolling stop". Because she couldn't make sense of that statement I guess she couldn't be fined. She could have been spinning crap - I do like the story though.

Yeah I think I just saw them around in racing games, then in real life - that was it, before I even knew how to drive I wanted a skyline.

My GF both like and dislikes my R33. When she's in with me, she doesn't mind it, enjoys it more than my previous cars... If I go out alone however - She know I drive a bit more "freely" when I don't have her with me, and gets worried. understandable really.

Well I was quoted $500ish for a new cat back+cannon from my local exhaust bloke, and I can get a used one off here delivered for around $200 and just bolt it on myself, but if all it's going to do is make it louder and a different note then I'm not sure if I want to bother. Unless it would be beneficial to have it already in place when I get the dump, front and high flow cat? the way my income works I get varied bursts of cash coming in, so it makes knowing what money I'll have and when; hard, so I tend to get what I can if it's compatible with future upgrades (before the car was the computer lol). Might see if I can find the more critical end of the exhaust for the same sort of money. Thanks for the speedy reply and advice. -Raven

Hello everyone, My name is Sam Raven, but my friends call me Raven - I've been a skyline fan since my first one, which was a $500 4door r31 5spd that shamed many a V8 and handled brilliantly. Since then I dreamed of owning a turbo skyline until this year when I finally got one a dark grey (almost black) series 1 R33 GTS-T 5spd, She looks totally stock right down to the mags and can be seen driving around Forest Lake - Redbank Plains and anywhere between, I typical give a wave to any import I see, always wave to other skyline drivers without fail. Currently the only mod I have is a KKR430 turbo which came with the car, next on my list is R34 SMIC and cat-back exhaust system - unless someone tells me cat-back is a waste of money and get turbo back. This is my first real turbo car so I don't want to get too crazy with mods, I want to be able to get used to the power as I go. I certainly look forward to coming to some events and meeting some fellow skyline fans/owners and learning from the pro's and getting shot down by the elite. I'll work on getting some pics of my baby up once I can get her in some good light. Thanks for reading, and see you soon I hope. -Raven (edit) p.s. drop me a line on msn if you're keen to shoot the breeze [email protected]

well that's just awesome *throws away Japanese for dummies*