Smoke...

[ralphb]

My RS2 has always (well, for the 12 months since I've had the car) given out a single, quite insignificant puff of white smoke the first time I've given it some hard acceleration on each day. After this initial puff, it's always seemed to be OK, but as much as I'd like to ignore it, the puff, which is still relatively minor (but visible from the rear view mirror) seems to becoming a more regular occurrance, ie almost each time the turbo's come in. Is this a sign of turbo failure?

The massive power is certainly still there - although again I must admit that I've sometimes also felt that there's been a slight pause in the boost after it first comes in as well.

The Evo article recently mentioned that the RS2's smoke a bit when cold, but this seems to be more than that. My friend says it just needs a long hard run...


Its due for a service, and I'm going to be taking it to a performance car specialist (mainly Porsches) that I know has worked alot on RS2's. But what should I ask him to do? Should he test the boost? Should he put it on the dynometer to test anything else? (Is that the same thing? [img]images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img])

- What I know about engines is dangerous, but reading Tucumin's engine story (which seems inconclusive still?), I'm thinking whether my problem is similar or much more basic [img]images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img])

Should also mention: Wetteraurer chip, K&N filter (not cleaned for 12 months..?). Free flow exhaust. Belt moved on 2 teeth when chipped, idles nicely though at 800 rpms

Other observations: Exhaust quite blackened...minor "backfiring" when throttling down (but is this the free flow exhaust?)

Any ideas? I know this is probably really basic... [img]images/graemlins/stupid.gif[/img]

[bjacks]

Hi,

Sorry, but I wouldn't like to hazard a guess at your problem (but a boost test should help confirm the health of the turbo) but is moving the belt (cam belt?) on 2 teeth a bit dangerous? What is the idea behind this? Just curious as I've not heard of it before!
How many miles/km has the car done also?

All the best with getting your problem fixed,

Ben

[Jani]

Hi,

have them check the turbo for axial play and wear of the compressor wheel. Could also be related to breather oil that is recycled to intake, and causes a small puff of smoke.

Hope you get it sorted.

[ralphb]

Thanks for the comments - I'll mention this when I take it in. ...could it be that sitting in heavy traffic in the morning for 15 minutes before I open up out of town creates some kind of carbon build up (somewhere)? Today I missed the heavy traffic and then gave it a bit of a longer run than usual, including taking some hills hard and it didn't smoke at all.

The car's done 145 000 kms, and it was chipped when I got it. The guy I bought it from was meticulous and very knowledgeable - he mentioned that he had to move the belt on 2 teeth when he chipped it - I think it was something to do with the idling. Cambelt, seatbelt, I don't know! [img]images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] Why do you say this is dangerous? Its done 20 000 kms like this.

The car is in immaculate condition and hasn't given me any trouble. I've still got the original chip, but I've driven my friend's RS2 and the difference in power that the modifications that I've got are very noticable...and mine sounds great!

20 litres per 100kms is a small price to pay...

[bjacks]

The reason that I thought it was dangerous is that when cars slip teeth on the cambelt then valves usually hit pistons as the timing is so screwed up. I'm no expert, I was just hoping that you could shed some light on it as I am interested. If it was that bad then I'm sure something would have broken by now [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Greg_S]

the reason one or other has been moved on by two teeth is to change the cam timing on either the exhaust or inlet cams or both.

The ABY and ADU cams have the same profile but the ADU's timing is different to the ABY as dictated by the way the pulley fits to it.

As for the puff of smoke first thing to do is undo the pipe going into the metal/plastic pipe into the throttle body via a small rubber pipe. If you undo the pipe where it comes up from the IC you should check for oil residue from the breather system as jani mention.

Also if you take the inlet boot off from the MAF to the turbo you can check the trubine shaft for play.

Greg