06 wrx-random smoke from exhaust when idling

nolaboost · 09-08-2009, 10:11 PM

I have a question about a problem I've been having off and on for a few months now.

First, I have a 06 wrx with a tanabe turboback exhaust and opensource reflash. I first noticed this problem a few months ago after boosting a bit and stopping at a store and little my car idle. A steady whiteish smoke was coming from the exhaust and smelled like burning oil.
It did this a couple more times and I ordered a crawford air-oil seperator, figuring the problem was oil being sucked back through the pcv system into the intercooler and burning off.

This seemed to solve the problem for a while, until a few days ago I noticed the same oil smell after boosting. After searching, I came up with that it could be the turbo bearings going out or at worst a cracked ring land. Anyone else have this problem and find out what causes it? Thanks in advance and sorry for the long read.

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sti-v8killr · 09-08-2009, 11:07 PM

How long did the A/O solve the problem for? May want to get a compression test to find out if its a cracked ring land.

Crazymonk88 · 09-09-2009, 12:45 AM

I have the same problem. I only get it at idle, and it only happens every once in a great while. I keep checking my oil but I am not losing any. It started doing this right after i put in my vf39. Sorry to jack your thread but it sounds like we have the same problem. So people help!

knighter · 09-09-2009, 08:36 AM

mine does it too i have a tanabe concept blue g tbe and a vf39 turbo. i know for a fact that i have the infamous vf39 crack in my turbo so that why mine is smoking you should look at that first and then pull your inter cooler off to see if you have any oil in it or around the y pipe

ajp11 · 09-09-2009, 10:41 AM

I have a very similar issue. I just put on a vf39, and I started getting blue smoke every once in a while at idle. I was told it was bad seals on the turbo, and that if I just check my oil often it should be fine. I haven't had to add any oil at all, levels stay the same. It still makes me nervous seeing blue smoke come out every once in a while.

DCales · 09-09-2009, 01:24 PM

My 06' has started to smoke while sitting on an incline at idle. Ive been guessing that its the rear turbo seal starting to leak since there is no oil in the intercooler, TB, or anywhere else that can be seen without removing parts. From what Ive gatherd the stock Td04 turbos are known for having seal issues. Also I haven't seen many non Sti 2.5's with ring problems. For what its worth Td04 rebuild kits are cheap to come by or you may want to start saving for an upgrade.

nolaboost · 09-09-2009, 08:04 PM

So I see I'm not the only one experiencing this. I hope it's the turbo bearing because that's alot smaller problem than a cracked ringland.

After installing the crawford aos the oil burning seemed to go away for a couple months and has now returned, though not as bad. I need to pull the intercooler off again to see if oil is inside of it.
One interesting note: I changed my spark plugs about two months ago and noticed the one on the left rear facing the engine had oil on the threads. None of the others had any on them, does that indicate a certain problem?

Crazymonk88 · 09-10-2009, 01:51 AM

are all of you running the cobb map or a protune? i am running the cobb map and am wondering if that cld be apart of the problem. cause i notice that i am running ridiculously rich.

nolaboost · 09-12-2009, 01:52 PM

I am running a ots romraider map which I'm sure is rich. I pulled the intercooler off today and found oil in the turbo outlet and in the intercooler itself. This seems to point to a turbo seal thats leaking and the oil gets pushed in under high boost.

DCales · 09-22-2009, 03:24 PM

Im running a Cobb OTS map. StageII 93 Octane to be specific. Like others I believe its a rich running tune for safety reasons. I'm getting blue smoke and not black which would be from a rich mix and it only happens while sitting on an incline. Im still set on the turbo seals being the culprit.

Bpipp · 09-23-2009, 01:57 AM

i have an 07 wrx, and i get smoke at idle that almost smells like unburnt fuel. i have stage 2 cobb map with supporting mods.

DCales · 09-23-2009, 10:06 AM

Bpip.... Are you running any cats? If your uncatted its not uncommon to have some fuel smell

DigitalPunk · 09-24-2009, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCales

Im running a Cobb OTS map. StageII 93 Octane to be specific. Like others I believe its a rich running tune for safety reasons. I'm getting blue smoke and not black which would be from a rich mix and it only happens while sitting on an incline. Im still set on the turbo seals being the culprit.

sounds like it is the turbo seals. especially if the smoke is blue.

i get white smoke on cold starts. i think it is actually steam from the moisture built up inside over night, as it has gotten cold and a little damp here.

bannerd · 09-24-2009, 12:21 PM

I have a tanabe TBE and if my car sits all night and I go to start it in the afternoon when it's about 80 it will shoot this huge puff of white smoke out the back. It last for a few seconds. I thought I had a head gasket going so I ran compression test and everything was normal. No oil in coolant or coolant in the oil. I haven't checked the turbo but I'm not burning oil (blue smoke) so I don't think it is that. Could be moisture but it was way to hot out and it hasn't rained here in a few weeks. I'm running a perrin catch can as well and there isn't any gunk in my TMIC core.. clean. I have the same problem and I'm at a lost... to be honest it went away and I haven't noticed it.

whitesub · 10-23-2009, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCales

Im running a Cobb OTS map. StageII 93 Octane to be specific. Like others I believe its a rich running tune for safety reasons. I'm getting blue smoke and not black which would be from a rich mix and it only happens while sitting on an incline. Im still set on the turbo seals being the culprit.

I have the same set up as you. And I too get smoke out of the exhaust mostly on and incline such as a driveway.

I hope we can fine an answer to this?!

DCales · 10-23-2009, 10:59 AM

I talked a Mike at Blouch Turbo and he said that while sitting on inclines it not uncommon for our cars to have oil "pooling" in the turbo. Basically the oil can't reach the drain area quick enough and pushes past the oil seals into the exhaust. When he inspected my OEM TD04 he found that everything was still in spec. He did mention that it would be a good idea to run a compression test and to make sure that aftermarket oil catch cans are properly installed if equipped. Both low compression and improperly routed catch can lines would cause smoking issues.

oscarmayer · 10-23-2009, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nolaboost

So I see I'm not the only one experiencing this. I hope it's the turbo bearing because that's alot smaller problem than a cracked ringland.

After installing the crawford aos the oil burning seemed to go away for a couple months and has now returned, though not as bad. I need to pull the intercooler off again to see if oil is inside of it.
One interesting note: I changed my spark plugs about two months ago and noticed the one on the left rear facing the engine had oil on the threads. None of the others had any on them, does that indicate a certain problem?

oil on the plug threads indicated current oil leaking into the cyclinder. that's rings, ringland, bad piston, or if your lucky, headgasket or leaky valve stem seals. it's going to be a core engine mechanical issue. if it was the turbo, you'd see it on all cyclinders not just 1.

time to take it to a mech and have it looked at. a compression test will NOT properly diagnose bad rings. you need to have a leakdown test performed to be certain if it's rings, piston, valves or what not.

whitesub · 10-23-2009, 10:45 PM

I think it's going to be more then a Turbo problem. I'm not getting full boost either. only getting about 8psi.

The oil sort of smells like gas too! And I just had my 60k service done at the local Subie dealer and now the oil level is below the "L". This is weird because I have no oil stains below my car.

WTF!

whitesub · 10-27-2009, 02:19 AM

correction, I am getting full boost.

Stokes_Good_Times · 11-16-2009, 05:24 PM

When parked on an incline oil will pool sometimes and you'll get the blue smoke. But blue smoke could be caused by many other things. I'm having the same problems... Im thinkin my motors toast. And from what I read blue smoke does not indicate a bad turbo seal. More like excessive blow by.

newtothescene · 11-16-2009, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oscarmayer

oil on the plug threads indicated current oil leaking into the cyclinder. that's rings, ringland, bad piston, or if your lucky, headgasket or leaky valve stem seals. it's going to be a core engine mechanical issue. if it was the turbo, you'd see it on all cyclinders not just 1.

time to take it to a mech and have it looked at. a compression test will NOT properly diagnose bad rings. you need to have a leakdown test performed to be certain if it's rings, piston, valves or what not.

Funny, never thought I would see the word "lucky" in the same sentence as blown headgasket.

Bpipp · 01-25-2010, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCales

Bpip.... Are you running any cats? If your uncatted its not uncommon to have some fuel smell

no, i do not have cats.

bhhamblin · 01-25-2010, 06:05 AM

Are you sure its oil? Oil is usually blue smoke. I have had times where my car would start smoking for no reason and it smelled more like something rotten. It happened about a year ago a couple times and hasnt happened since. I have a couple friends that this has happened to as well.

04stinugget · 01-25-2010, 04:10 PM

when you installed the air oil separator did you run dual cans? or did you just run the breathers from the valve covers into t fittings an then to the pcv and then to the can? just wondering because mine had the same problem before I put the can on it and I only ran one can with the lines all running together and the problem completely went away. I've now gone almost 2000 miles and haven't burned maybe a tenth of a quart.

iRace559 · 01-25-2010, 04:55 PM

Sounds like a ringland to me.

09-08-2009, 10:11 PM	#1
nolaboost Scooby Newbie Member#: 133791 Join Date: Dec 2006 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Kenner, LA Vehicle: 2006 WRX TR Aspen White	06 wrx-random smoke from exhaust when idling I have a question about a problem I've been having off and on for a few months now. First, I have a 06 wrx with a tanabe turboback exhaust and opensource reflash. I first noticed this problem a few months ago after boosting a bit and stopping at a store and little my car idle. A steady whiteish smoke was coming from the exhaust and smelled like burning oil. It did this a couple more times and I ordered a crawford air-oil seperator, figuring the problem was oil being sucked back through the pcv system into the intercooler and burning off. This seemed to solve the problem for a while, until a few days ago I noticed the same oil smell after boosting. After searching, I came up with that it could be the turbo bearings going out or at worst a cracked ring land. Anyone else have this problem and find out what causes it? Thanks in advance and sorry for the long read. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

11-16-2009, 05:24 PM	#20
Stokes_Good_Times Scooby Newbie Member#: 223792 Join Date: Sep 2009 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Vehicle: 2006 WRX WRB	When parked on an incline oil will pool sometimes and you'll get the blue smoke. But blue smoke could be caused by many other things. I'm having the same problems... Im thinkin my motors toast. And from what I read blue smoke does not indicate a bad turbo seal. More like excessive blow by. Last edited by Stokes_Good_Times; 11-16-2009 at 05:32 PM.

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09-08-2009, 11:07 PM	#2
sti-v8killr Scooby Newbie Member#: 209562 Join Date: Apr 2009 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Katy/Corpus Chrisit, TX Vehicle: 2007 WRB STI Tuned by awdtuning.com!!!	How long did the A/O solve the problem for? May want to get a compression test to find out if its a cracked ring land.

09-09-2009, 12:45 AM	#3
Crazymonk88 Scooby Newbie Member#: 200532 Join Date: Jan 2009 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Olympia WA Vehicle: 06 Wrx WR Blue	I have the same problem. I only get it at idle, and it only happens every once in a great while. I keep checking my oil but I am not losing any. It started doing this right after i put in my vf39. Sorry to jack your thread but it sounds like we have the same problem. So people help!

09-09-2009, 08:36 AM	#4
knighter NASIOC Supporter Member#: 161913 Join Date: Oct 2007 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Hampton, VA Vehicle: 2006 WRX w/ PPG'S Fragile Handle W/ Care	mine does it too i have a tanabe concept blue g tbe and a vf39 turbo. i know for a fact that i have the infamous vf39 crack in my turbo so that why mine is smoking you should look at that first and then pull your inter cooler off to see if you have any oil in it or around the y pipe

09-09-2009, 10:41 AM	#5
ajp11 Scooby Newbie Member#: 175821 Join Date: Mar 2008 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Fairport, NY Vehicle: 06 Wrx Crystal Grey Metallic	I have a very similar issue. I just put on a vf39, and I started getting blue smoke every once in a while at idle. I was told it was bad seals on the turbo, and that if I just check my oil often it should be fine. I haven't had to add any oil at all, levels stay the same. It still makes me nervous seeing blue smoke come out every once in a while.

09-09-2009, 01:24 PM	#6
DCales Scooby Newbie Member#: 131509 Join Date: Nov 2006 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Northern Va Vehicle: 2006 Impreza WRX TR WRB	My 06' has started to smoke while sitting on an incline at idle. Ive been guessing that its the rear turbo seal starting to leak since there is no oil in the intercooler, TB, or anywhere else that can be seen without removing parts. From what Ive gatherd the stock Td04 turbos are known for having seal issues. Also I haven't seen many non Sti 2.5's with ring problems. For what its worth Td04 rebuild kits are cheap to come by or you may want to start saving for an upgrade.

09-09-2009, 08:04 PM	#7
nolaboost Scooby Newbie Member#: 133791 Join Date: Dec 2006 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Kenner, LA Vehicle: 2006 WRX TR Aspen White	So I see I'm not the only one experiencing this. I hope it's the turbo bearing because that's alot smaller problem than a cracked ringland. After installing the crawford aos the oil burning seemed to go away for a couple months and has now returned, though not as bad. I need to pull the intercooler off again to see if oil is inside of it. One interesting note: I changed my spark plugs about two months ago and noticed the one on the left rear facing the engine had oil on the threads. None of the others had any on them, does that indicate a certain problem?

09-10-2009, 01:51 AM	#8
Crazymonk88 Scooby Newbie Member#: 200532 Join Date: Jan 2009 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Olympia WA Vehicle: 06 Wrx WR Blue	are all of you running the cobb map or a protune? i am running the cobb map and am wondering if that cld be apart of the problem. cause i notice that i am running ridiculously rich.

09-12-2009, 01:52 PM	#9
nolaboost Scooby Newbie Member#: 133791 Join Date: Dec 2006 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Kenner, LA Vehicle: 2006 WRX TR Aspen White	I am running a ots romraider map which I'm sure is rich. I pulled the intercooler off today and found oil in the turbo outlet and in the intercooler itself. This seems to point to a turbo seal thats leaking and the oil gets pushed in under high boost.

09-22-2009, 03:24 PM	#10
DCales Scooby Newbie Member#: 131509 Join Date: Nov 2006 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Northern Va Vehicle: 2006 Impreza WRX TR WRB	Im running a Cobb OTS map. StageII 93 Octane to be specific. Like others I believe its a rich running tune for safety reasons. I'm getting blue smoke and not black which would be from a rich mix and it only happens while sitting on an incline. Im still set on the turbo seals being the culprit.

09-23-2009, 01:57 AM	#11
Bpipp Scooby Newbie Member#: 205671 Join Date: Mar 2009 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: dousman, WI Vehicle: 2007 wrx	i have an 07 wrx, and i get smoke at idle that almost smells like unburnt fuel. i have stage 2 cobb map with supporting mods.

09-23-2009, 10:06 AM	#12
DCales Scooby Newbie Member#: 131509 Join Date: Nov 2006 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Northern Va Vehicle: 2006 Impreza WRX TR WRB	Bpip.... Are you running any cats? If your uncatted its not uncommon to have some fuel smell

09-24-2009, 12:21 PM	#14
bannerd Scooby Newbie Member#: 110771 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Upstate NY Vehicle: 2006 WRX black	I have a tanabe TBE and if my car sits all night and I go to start it in the afternoon when it's about 80 it will shoot this huge puff of white smoke out the back. It last for a few seconds. I thought I had a head gasket going so I ran compression test and everything was normal. No oil in coolant or coolant in the oil. I haven't checked the turbo but I'm not burning oil (blue smoke) so I don't think it is that. Could be moisture but it was way to hot out and it hasn't rained here in a few weeks. I'm running a perrin catch can as well and there isn't any gunk in my TMIC core.. clean. I have the same problem and I'm at a lost... to be honest it went away and I haven't noticed it.

10-23-2009, 10:59 AM	#16
DCales Scooby Newbie Member#: 131509 Join Date: Nov 2006 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Northern Va Vehicle: 2006 Impreza WRX TR WRB	I talked a Mike at Blouch Turbo and he said that while sitting on inclines it not uncommon for our cars to have oil "pooling" in the turbo. Basically the oil can't reach the drain area quick enough and pushes past the oil seals into the exhaust. When he inspected my OEM TD04 he found that everything was still in spec. He did mention that it would be a good idea to run a compression test and to make sure that aftermarket oil catch cans are properly installed if equipped. Both low compression and improperly routed catch can lines would cause smoking issues.

10-23-2009, 10:45 PM	#18
whitesub Scooby Newbie Member#: 30465 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Las Vegas Vehicle: 2003 Impreza Aspen White	I think it's going to be more then a Turbo problem. I'm not getting full boost either. only getting about 8psi. The oil sort of smells like gas too! And I just had my 60k service done at the local Subie dealer and now the oil level is below the "L". This is weird because I have no oil stains below my car. WTF!

10-27-2009, 02:19 AM	#19
whitesub Scooby Newbie Member#: 30465 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Las Vegas Vehicle: 2003 Impreza Aspen White	correction, I am getting full boost.

01-25-2010, 06:05 AM	#23
bhhamblin Scooby Guru Member#: 99397 Join Date: Oct 2005 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Clinton, UT Vehicle: 2008 STi 2006 WRX	Are you sure its oil? Oil is usually blue smoke. I have had times where my car would start smoking for no reason and it smelled more like something rotten. It happened about a year ago a couple times and hasnt happened since. I have a couple friends that this has happened to as well.

01-25-2010, 04:10 PM	#24
04stinugget Scooby Newbie Member#: 236332 Join Date: Jan 2010 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: san diego Vehicle: 2004 wrx sti yellow	when you installed the air oil separator did you run dual cans? or did you just run the breathers from the valve covers into t fittings an then to the pcv and then to the can? just wondering because mine had the same problem before I put the can on it and I only ran one can with the lines all running together and the problem completely went away. I've now gone almost 2000 miles and haven't burned maybe a tenth of a quart.

01-25-2010, 04:55 PM	#25
iRace559 Scooby Specialist Member#: 142654 Join Date: Mar 2007 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: New Jersey Vehicle: 2007 OBP WRX RA 1-4 Built Motor DOM3XT-R :)	Sounds like a ringland to me.