Blue Smoke when engine warm after idle

[oakley1975]

Hello,
I hope you can help me as a new member of this forum. I have a 2002 406 110 HDi which has an intermittent blue smoke/fog problem when driving off from idle e.g. when lights change and I engage 2nd gear. I also notice a strange whistle noise in addition to the turbo sound. So far I have had oil and filter changes (inc air filter). As it is an intermittent problem i'm not sure it is the turbo. I had the mechanic check the turbo and he found a small quantity of oil in the pipe. Also, there does not seem to use much oil as it does not need to be topped up in 1000 miles. I've also tried using Wynn's stop leak in case there was a leak in the engine. I suspect it is either the turbo or the valve seals. Is there a way to check without huge garage bills finding out. Hope someone can help!

[dirtydirtydiesel]

Sounds like the turbo is a little worn, T.B.H I wouldn't worry about it to much if it doesn't need toping up after a thousand miles .
It willl cost £450 ish for a replacement turbo + fitting, how many miles has she covered ?
I don't know if it's applicable to these engines but on some ie: bmw's M47 the crank case breather can become blocked & this can cause it to suck up engine oil out of the sump & burn it

[oakley1975]

Thanks DirtyDiesel,

She has done 122k, I've checked the service history and there is no sign of the turbo being replaced. The local diesel engine specialists seemed to think (over the phone) the injectors needed cleaning and I had my suspicions that this was an incorrect diagnosis. I'll get a reconditioned turbo and ask my local grease monkeys to change it.

Thanks again

[dirtydirtydiesel]

T.B.H I woundn't bother unless it's clouds of blue smoke ie: a smoke screen
it's gonna cost you prob £600 min for a reconditioned turbo fitted probably more
Also the strange noise you mention, can you describe it, if it's a wistle it could be a leak in a boost hose but could also be the turbo on it's last legs.
It really depends on how it's been looked after & treated, but 122k is not a lot for these engines & they run very low boost pressure as std.
Also they are not a variable vane turbo so no prob's there. Sorry I can't be more help but with out seeing the car .
Before you jump in & buy a new / recon turbo, get your's checked out by someone who know's what their looking at / talking about

[Welly]

I wouldn't change the turbo either not unless it was cream-crackered (check the compressor wheel for play etc).

The HDi turbo's never go wrong so I'd look elsewhere first; maybe the oil is too thin? or there's a breather problem.

[dirtydirtydiesel]

oakley1975,
Are you sure it's blue smoke & not white ? . If it is blue ( you stated that the oil & filter have just been done ) have you checked that it's not been overfilled
Just a thought.

[oakley1975]

Hi,
Thanks for all your advice, it's a great forum. It's blue smoke and it comes out in plumes! There is also a strong smell of burning oil when starting off from a standstill. This is a very intermittent problem, it may only do it on two occasions within a fortnight. The turbo has been making more of a grinding sound when changing up to 2nd gear once on the motorway no problems at all.
Regards
Al

[oakley1975]

Hi all,
I've bought a used turbo and boost pipe off fleabay with a 3 month warrenty. Let's hope this sorts the situation
Do you guys have any advice on making sure the mechanics fit the turbo correctly to prevent a botch job? Also, asked the mechanic to investigate the crankcase pressure hose.
Regards
Al

[dirtydirtydiesel]

Oh Oakley,
I wouldn't have done that if I were you, the turbo you've bought might be fine but even if it's not by the time you've found out prob 3 months+ & payed someone to fit it & then the seller has argued that it's been fitted wrong or not lubed properly ect: it's not worth the hassel.
If you must go down this pennypinching route then find some one who will supply & fit the turbo as a warantyed package, that way if it's duff it's up to them to supply & fit a replacement at their cost.
But to be honist good luck with finding someone who's willing to waranty a used turbo/fitted package

[Welly]

To be honest I'd be surprised if it was the turbo at fault in any case. The engine would have had to be horribly neglected for the turbo to pack in and even then something else would let go first. I've only ever heard of one member on here who had a new turbo fitted (supafrisk) and even that turned out to be unnecessary.

This burning oil is peculiar to this engine so I for one am a bit stumped but can only really think it's a breathing issue i.e. something blocks up, clears, then does it again a few days later. If the turbo was the problem then it would smoke all the time or even create a pathway for the whole sump of oil to be consumed (and that IS a dramatic way to go).

Pistons/bores are extremely tough and again it would smoke all the time. Valve stem seals again are tough and problems unheard of.

Are you sure it has not been overfilled with oil? maybe its got the wrong dipstick fitted? you think the level's right but its not? only way to tell is drain and refill with the correct amount.

I hope you find what it is soon enough but be careful self-diagnosing and throwing money at unnecessary repairs.

[crackpotterpig]

cant be turbo it would do it all the time...........os ot def blue smoke?

[oakley1975]

Hi,
Thanks for your notes of caution which I have considered today when I took the car to a different garage for a 2nd opinion. There was a blocked pipe which had a build up of oil which was removed and cleaned think it was the engine breather pipe. It was also noted that the turbo pipe seals had small amounts of oil leaking. Anyway sent the turbo back so alls well that ends well. Thanks again to everyone who contributed to this thread.

[Welly]

That's a better result, well done, don't worry too much about the turbo oil leaks (they all do that) mine used to be me smothered in oil but worked perfectly well. Like I said before; the 2.0 HDi turbo's never give any problems.

[dirtydirtydiesel]

Oakley,
Gald to have been able to offer some advice & help .
Happy to hear you have got it sorted with out having to waste load's of dosh