Turbo smoking

Bought a 1988 745 Turbo Intercooler on Wednesday for 130 pounds. Now, there is a big problem with the engine, because it smokes badly, so badly I was not allowed to drive onto the Eurotunnel carriage for fear of setting off the smoke alarm, I had to push the car onto the train. What happens is that at low revs, the engine smokes blue-grey smoke, this goes away with more revs and crusing along the motorway at 3500 rpm and 70 mph (overdrive is broken), the engine was fine, although a quick push at the accelerator created smoke. My mechanic said I needed a new engine. Now, there was a posting on Brickboard about oil in the turbo causing clouds of blue-grey smoke. I cleaned out the hoses between intercooler and turbo and intercooler and inlet. I also cleaned out the airbox and replaced the airfilter. There was oil in the airbox and the airfilter had a fair bit of oil on it. Now, the engine is fine and does not blow at all, just a little, little bit at start up. I am thinking that an engine which is so bad it needs replacing cannot surely be so easily fixed. It's like a whole new car. Worn bearings and seals in the turbo is one suggestion I have heard, any idea, you turbo people out there?

Interior and exterior wise the car is fine, given it is 14 yo and has done 272000 miles. I'd really like to keep the car and so would appreciate any help with what could cause oil to collect in the airbox and how I can sort this out.

George

'87 745 GLE Turbo Diesel Intercooler
'88 745 Turbo Intercooler

[johndglynn]

Definitely turbo problems whatever about anything else - take off the pipes and see how much play there is in the shaft - pinch the end with your fingers - shouldn't move than a mm, any more and you have wear - we did discuss this on the 900 page - do you remember?

Turbo Technics will rebuild and balance for under £200 + P&P (highly recommend them) or you can get a used one with three months guarantee for about £100. If the shaft does move a bit more than it should, it may be that the turbine blades have been contacting the housing, you would then be into big money for a complete turbo.

Good old Ebay, eh George?

JG
2 x 945 TD
1 x A4 TDi
2 x Renault 21 Turbo

Yes, this adventure started out with mechanics saying "a new engine" and qouting me all sorts of figures. Now, I have virtually fixed it with a new airfilter and lots of old rags. I will give the system a jolly good cleanout and one day have the turbo rebuilt, but I just spent over 2000 quid on my TDI so not right now. A phone or address for these Turbo Technics would be appreciated.

George

'87 745 GLE Turbo Diesel Intercooler
'88 745 Turbo Intercooler

[johndglynn]

http://www.turbotechnics.com/

Cheers

JG