A930Rocket

I was driving the car trying to put some miles on it this afternoon and after about 22 miles of just cruising (no boost to date), I heard a small "pop". There was an immediate HUGE smoke screen behind me, so I shut it down and pulled over. I looked in and under the car and saw no leaks anywhere. I started it again with the same results. LOTS of smoke coming out the zork tube. Shut it off and looked again. There was a small oil fire in the zork tube that dripped on the ground. I put my sneaker over the end off the zork tube to smother it.

Now the questions...

I assume it was the turbo, which was just rebuilt. What would cause it let go like that? Would it make a "pop" sound? How do I check it out? I'm going to pull the intercooler and see if there is any oil in it. Any other thoughts?

sand_man

Sorry to hear this! I'm curious to see what you find when you pull the IC.

sand_man

Any chance the scavenge pump isn't working? I can't remember where I heard it, but I recall a story where someone forgot to insert that pin on the end of the scavenge shaft that fits between those bolts on the cam...thus the pump wasn't being driven. The turbo just belched oil...

A930Rocket

The pin is there. Unless it broke/fell off...

I guess it's something to look into.

I'm at a loss and in the dumps right now.

sand_man

What about oil pressure? The crank case on these things is quite complicated with oil pressure relief springs, gallies, and such. I wonder if the 22 miles was enough time for all of the thermostats to finally open up, thus revealing a probelm that you didn't notice over shorter distances.

BrianKeithSmith

Scavenge pump is a good idea. Either way, the seals in the turbo are probably shot if the scavenge pump was the culprit.

I hope its the turbo! That's a simple 4 bolt fix!

A930Rocket

Oil pressure was good the entire time. I'll pull the back of the scavenge pump off and check the pin.

sand_man

Jim,

If you're comfortable running the engine, there is a way to test the scavenge pump.

You need to disconnect the line from the drip tank and submerge it in a container of oil. The container should be big enough to collect the oil that will be running out of the open drip tank...maybe a large beaker or measuring cup

If the scavenge pump is working it should "suck" the oil from the container.

A930Rocket

So I need to let the oil drain from the tank into a container and place the return line in a container of oil to see fi the scavenge pump sucks it out? I can do that, but will have to be quick because of the oil screen.

I also have my old 3LDZ I can put on to see what happens.

sand_man

Yep, it helps if you can use the same container...submerging the return line in the same container that is collecting the oil. So in other words, you are actually sucking up what's running out.

A930Rocket

Gotcha.

sand_man

I knew I'd find it! Check this out:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showt...ight=drip+tank

Kevin

Forgetting the 9mm check ball will produce a smoke show everytime.

jwl

Right after my re-build I had some oil bypassing thru the turbo and accumulating in the IC and intake. Come to find out the two allen head bolts on the back of the cam that turns the scavenge pump were worn just enough that they weren't making up with the "T" shaft. When the engine was cold it would work but when everything warmed up and expanded it wouldn't pump. I fixed it with new allens and a couple of flat washers...luckly caught it before trashing the new turbo.

A930Rocket

I talked to kevin today and I'm going to send it to him. It may have been FOD, but he won't know until he looks at it.

I should have used my old 3LDZ to break in the motor instead of my new turbo as he suggested, but it was sittiing on a shelf in the garage for 4 years I didn't trust it.

All I can say is if you have an old turbo to break your motor in, use it.