Seeing blue smoke right away can be alarming, but it almost always points to an oil-related issue rather than a problem with the turbo itself. Performance turbochargers are fantastic for boosting your engine's power, but they need to be installed just right to work their magic.
Blue smoke specifically signals that oil is being burned in the combustion chamber. Since this happened immediately after installation, we can narrow down the likely culprits.
Troubleshooting the Blue Smoke 💨
Let's go through a few common causes to pinpoint the issue. Based on what you're describing, here are the most likely reasons:
- Improper Oil Drain: This is the most common cause of oil leaks and blue smoke after a new turbo installation. If the oil can't drain out of the turbocharger's bearing housing fast enough, it backs up and is forced past the seals into both the compressor and turbine side of the turbo, and then into your engine's intake and exhaust.
- Is the oil drain line angled correctly? The drain line must always run downhill, with the bearing housing's oil drain oriented within 20 degrees of vertical. Oil should never have to "climb" to get back to the oil pan.
- Is the drain line entry point above the oil level in the pan? The drain must enter the oil pan well above the engine's oil level. If it's below the oil level, it can't drain properly.
- Excessive Crankcase Pressure (Blow-by): If your engine has excessive "blow-by" (combustion gases leaking past the piston rings), it creates high pressure inside the engine's crankcase. This pressure can push back up the oil drain line, preventing the turbo from draining oil correctly and forcing it past the seals. A blocked or malfunctioning Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can also cause this issue.
- Oil Buildup from Previous Failure: If your previous turbocharger failed and leaked oil, that oil can remain in the exhaust system (like the muffler and catalytic converter). When you install the new turbo, the heat from the exhaust will start to burn off this old oil, creating smoke. It can take some time for all of this residual oil to burn away completely.
Let's try a simple check:
With the engine idling, try removing the oil filler cap. If you notice a significant amount of smoke or pressure coming out, it could be a strong indicator of excessive crankcase pressure.
Since you've just installed the turbo, I highly recommend double-checking the oil drain line's routing and angle first, as this is the most frequent cause of immediate smoking. If that seems correct, the issue might be pre-existing oil in the exhaust or a crankcase pressure problem.
We're here to help you get the most out of your performance upgrade. Feel free to ask more questions as you check these items!
| Possible Cause | Possible Remedy |
|---|---|
| Restricted engine crankcase breather | Refer to engine manufacturer's manual, clear restriction. |
| Turbocharger bearing housing sludged or coked | Change engine oil and oil filter, overhaul or replace turbocharger as required. |
| Worn engine piston rings or liners | Refer to engine manufacturer's manual and repair as required. |
| Burnt valves and/or pistons | Refer to engine manufacturer's manual and repair as required. |
| Excessive dirt build up on compressor wheel and/or diffuser vanes | Clean in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations. |
| Turbocharger damaged | Find and correct cause of failure, repair or replace turbocharger as necessary. |
| Dirty air cleaner | Clean or replace element according to manufacturer's recommendations. |
| Restricted compressor intake duct | Remove restriction or replace damaged parts as required. |
| Air leak in feed from compressor to intake manifold | Replace seals, gaskets or tighten fasteners as required. |
| Air leak between intake manifold and engine | Refer to engine manufacturer's manual and replace gaskets or tighten fasteners. |
| Foreign object in exhaust manifold (from engine) | Refer to engine manufacturer's manual and remove obstruction. |
| Restricted turbocharger oil drain line | Remove restriction or replace damaged parts as required. |