Can the turbo cause massive smoke at the exhaust?

[m3mpower]

Hi everyone, i really need some help please,
the car in question is a MK4 Golf TDI 150bhp.
i just bought the car and there is a lot of smoke coming out of the exhaust, the colour of the smoke is grey/blue and does smell like oil.
i have noticed under the car, that the turbo is full of oil and the turbo pipes are leaking oil as well.
can that be the reason for the smoke?
i really need some expert advice as i am gutted, really loved the car, great spec!
look forward for your replies
thanks in advance

[racin-snake]

is there too much oil in the sump ? check first also the car if left with leaking turbo seals will run on and self destruct
the inter cooler may also be full of oil too take all of the above into account before condemning the turbo
clean it all out and then making sure inter cooler is clear see if oil is dropping and oil returns to the turbo pipes
a light covering of oil is to be expected with high milleage dervs and pertols but a lot of oil is a bad sign that your turbo seals are shot

[cactikid]

using the wrong oil also cause more smoke as i got to chat with a mobil oil rep he said by using a good oil will reduce smoke emissions and i would also use a can of nova fuel cleaner in fuel system to give it a good clear out,still using it on a ford galaxy 1998 with over 500,000 miles and still gets through nct

[m3mpower]

Hi, i can confirm that i have used the wrong oil, i was supposed to put 4.5l of 5W40 fully sysnthetic.
i have 3L of that and 1L of 0W30 which i noticed was very thin ( i know! it was stupid )

[m3mpower]

is there too much oil in the sump ? check first also the car if left with leaking turbo seals will run on and self destruct
the inter cooler may also be full of oil too take all of the above into account before condemning the turbo
clean it all out and then making sure inter cooler is clear see if oil is dropping and oil returns to the turbo pipes
a light covering of oil is to be expected with high milleage dervs and pertols but a lot of oil is a bad sign that your turbo seals are shot

Hi, thanks for your reply.
i know the oil level was ok as i did check it a couple of times.
but the oil was leaking from the turbo pipes, where they join each other, the turbo itself, had also signs of oil leaking..
do you reckon i can just clean the whole turbo system and it will be better?
thanks

[m3mpower]

is there too much oil in the sump ? check first also the car if left with leaking turbo seals will run on and self destruct
the inter cooler may also be full of oil too take all of the above into account before condemning the turbo
clean it all out and then making sure inter cooler is clear see if oil is dropping and oil returns to the turbo pipes
a light covering of oil is to be expected with high milleage dervs and pertols but a lot of oil is a bad sign that your turbo seals are shot

hi, sorry, me again,
when you say turbo seals are shot, can i service that or is it not worth it? should i just replace the turbo?
thanks

[racin-snake]

remove turbo inlet and check impeller for movement if theres any and ya like this car repolace full turbo with a recon or a new turbo turbotecknix do a good recon so start there
dont ebay it mate it will end in tears

[m3mpower]

remove turbo inlet and check impeller for movement if theres any and ya like this car repolace full turbo with a recon or a new turbo turbotecknix do a good recon so start there
dont ebay it mate it will end in tears

ok mate, thanks again.
i will check the impeller today and let you know
thanks

[dafdiagnos]

also, make sure you clean out the intercooler & hoses- strongly recommended m8. if removing turbo, also worth checking exhaust manifold for oil - a sign of valve seal wear

[m3mpower]

remove turbo inlet and check impeller for movement if theres any and ya like this car repolace full turbo with a recon or a new turbo turbotecknix do a good recon so start there
dont ebay it mate it will end in tears

Hi mate, i have checked the turbo pipes today, and they have oil sludge in them, when i wipe my finger in the pipe, it comes out black, about 1mm thickness..
what is the best way to clean them, brake cleaner?

Also, i have checked the impeller as you suggested, it does spin freely but it does have play, if i'm correct, about 7mm of play when moved sideways, is that too much?
Can that play cause the excessive smoke at the back?

look forward for your replies..

Thanks again

[dafdiagnos]

7mm of play is far too excessive m8, if not careful it will result in bearing failure & you'll have bits of turbo going through & smashing valves & piston crowns. change the turbo asap m8

[m3mpower]

7mm of play is far too excessive m8, if not careful it will result in bearing failure & you'll have bits of turbo going through & smashing valves & piston crowns. change the turbo asap m8

ok matey, thanks for the info.
can that excessive play at the shaft cause the massive smoke?
and could the fact that the engine was run with no oil for a few minutes was the reason for the shaft to have excessive play?
and finally, any advice on where to get a replacement turbo?
and what is the best way to clean all the turbo pipes, brake cleaner??

thanks again

[racin-snake]

if ya use brake cleaner make sure ya get it all out or it will run onn and ~~~~ the lot
just drain it off a little oil is ok mate but a puddle will either hydraulic the engine or run it on too
also try getting a turbo with feed pipe and new gaskets
best doin it right mate good cars a lot better than all this new crdti shite now
but clean it out drain it renew feeds and use good clean oil and new filter
should be fine all the best mate hope its ok

[dafdiagnos]

running without oil will cause the play due to premature bearing wear. brake cleaner is good for cleaning the pipes & hoses but flush them out with water after & run airline through to dry before refitting. for sourcing a replacement turbo i'd speak to local engine remanufacturer & remember to prime turbo with oil before use

[m3mpower]

if ya use brake cleaner make sure ya get it all out or it will run onn and ~~~~ the lot
just drain it off a little oil is ok mate but a puddle will either hydraulic the engine or run it on too
also try getting a turbo with feed pipe and new gaskets
best doin it right mate good cars a lot better than all this new crdti shite now
but clean it out drain it renew feeds and use good clean oil and new filter
should be fine all the best mate hope its ok

the only one thing i'm worried about, is replacing the turbo to find out something has gone in the engine bottom end due to having run the engine with no oil for a few minutes.
also, inside the sump, there is a plastic tray ( i think its called oil baffle ), due to the damage to the sump, this plastic tray had cracked and obviously a small bit fell off, and after starting the engine i'm worried that bit of plastic has messed up everything ????