Blocked Catchcan Vent Killed My 32...

[partyboy73]

Well as the title states my catchcan vent blocked and the 32 started spewing white smoke... I get about 2 psi of boost and I'm wondering if the pressure has blown out my turbo seal...? If anyone could shed some light on this for me so I know where I'm at I'd be very appreciative.

[DVS JEZ]

Very likely. But if u have fixed the catchcan. Then u might be lucky and it might just be left over oil in the exhaust

[The Dan]

Step 1. Unblock catchcan

Step 2. Skidz

[StealthX]

???

How could a blocked catch can put pressure on the turbo's bearings?

The white smoke would be oil spewing back into the intake from the catch can... There's no way the bearings would "blow" from this...

[The Dan]

???

How could a blocked catch can put pressure on the turbo's bearings?

The white smoke would be oil spewing back into the intake from the catch can... There's no way the bearings would "blow" from this...

Not entirely true.

Increased pressure in the crankcase will prevent oil returning from the turbo. However it is more likely you will see the smoke as a result of it in your intake first.

[The Dan]

But agreed that it would not blow the bearings in the turbo, just cause smoke

[Dobz]

Step 1. Unblock catchcan

Step 2. Skidz

^^This

Two steps to a good time.

[partyboy73]

The can wasn't plumbed back into the intake... also I noticed, under the bonnet, oil dripping on my plastic sump guard from the turbz area... I hav'nt looked at anything yet but was also wondering if this would've done something to the engine? only drove a few hundred meters when I noticed the smoke

[The Dan]

Very unlikely to have damaged anything. Plumb the can correctly, then drive it again. Should be fine

[SKiT_R31]

I would have thaught it would spit the dipstick before doing any other damage...

[NSNPWR]

Have seen first hand what excessive crank case pressure can do to turbos, which is what you would have had with blocked breathers...as was mentioned above, oil in the turbo cant return to the sump and builds in the turbo core, it then pushes past the exhaust seal, in my case, the exhaust seal was shagged or had moved according to turbo builder and I had sh1t loads of white smoke, like you...

[partyboy73]

Wah!

[DVS JEZ]

have you fixed the catch can?

take the dump pipe off the turbo and see if there is an evident oil leak from the seal. and same on the front, if you cant see any oil there, put the intake back onto the front and start the car to see if smoke starts pouring from the turbo exhaust, if it does turn the car off and see if you can see oil in the exhaust of the turbo.

let us know how you go

[NSNPWR]

Yep, exhaust wheel will look 'wet' and you probably wont see this until the turbos off but oil will be weeping down the bottom of the front side of the exhaust housing, let us know how you go...mine wasn't caused by blocked breathers but excessive piston to bore clearance...same result - excessive crankcase pressure and a turbo that couldn't drain..

Edited April 8, 2011 by NSNPWR

[partyboy73]

Well... new turbo ( already had ) and all exhaust and ceramic coating etc and still getting slight smoke out back from oil... maybe valve seals blown out..?? any help would be appreciated, dying here...

[ido09s]

Give it about 20 minutes of driving and see how it goes. Oil doesnt just magically disapear as it will get into everything. It could take some time to get rid of it all

[tricstar]

yeah I had some smoke after installing new turbo and ceramic coated dump etc went away after a few heat cycles, I assumed it was just burning off shit from new turbo and new coatings..

another time needed to put a restrictor in the oil feed of the turbo, because with Jun pump was pumping too much oil and pushing past the seal, hence blowing white smoke..

hopefully just one of those reasons for you

[Rolls]

???

How could a blocked catch can put pressure on the turbo's bearings?

The white smoke would be oil spewing back into the intake from the catch can... There's no way the bearings would "blow" from this...

If you seal the crank case gases in it will pressurise and can burn lots of oil, I've seen it happen before. Don't see how it would do anything to the turbo though.

[partyboy73]

I found oil in the mouth of the compressor side when I was putting a boost controller in and had to remove stuff to get to the actuator... hoping its from it sitting around for so long..?? stretching maybe but dont want to think I have to pull it all off again... also I have taken it for a couple runs before that and it was showing white at the end of the runs and a hint of blue due to not being mapped..

Edited August 3, 2011 by partyboy73