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Old 05-27-2023, 08:29 PM   #1
BugEye209
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Default Smoke Around Turbo Area

I have a 03 WRX with roughly 137k miles on it. The issue I am having is there is smoke coming from the Trubo/Downpipe area after a few minutes of the car either warming up or driving. I have swapped out the turbo inlet because the coupler was damaged and I thought that would solve it but it didn't. It is the original turbo so I'm wondering if it needs to be replaced since it could be burning oil.

People have told me it is a head gasket but I have checked the radiator and turbo reservoir for oil contamination and it is clean. I have also checked the oil dipstick to see if it has turned milky and it is not. Has anyone come across this problem and figured out exactly what is wrong andy help/info will be accepted.
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Old 05-31-2023, 02:05 PM   #2
Craig4g63
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If the smoke is coming out of that area and not the exhaust I would look at valve cover gasket. Then check PCV system at the passenger side valve cover. Also check feed and return lines for the turbo, oil and coolant.

Most likely something is leaking onto the exhaust and once it warms up it smokes. All the rubber lines and gaskets in that area are now 20 yrs old and likely giving up. They probably all need replaced.
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Old 05-31-2023, 09:26 PM   #3
BugEye209
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Craig4g63 View Post
If the smoke is coming out of that area and not the exhaust I would look at valve cover gasket. Then check PCV system at the passenger side valve cover. Also check feed and return lines for the turbo, oil and coolant.

Most likely something is leaking onto the exhaust and once it warms up it smokes. All the rubber lines and gaskets in that area are now 20 yrs old and likely giving up. They probably all need replaced.
If it were the valve cover gasket wouldn't it show on the radiator and oil? When I replaced the turbo inlet I did replace the lines that go to it since they had snapped due to being brittle. I have yet to check the Turbo feed and return lines which I think might be it.

Thank You for the info I will definitely look into this.
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Old 05-31-2023, 10:29 PM   #4
nwood1976
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My car had those symptoms once after the front passenger cv boot split open and spun grease all along my down pipe.
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Old 06-06-2023, 09:31 AM   #5
Craig4g63
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BugEye209 View Post
If it were the valve cover gasket wouldn't it show on the radiator and oil?
You are thinking of head gasket, that usually will allow the oil and coolant to mix. valve cover gasket would just leak oil.

Quote:
Originally Posted by nwood1976 View Post
My car had those symptoms once after the front passenger cv boot split open and spun grease all along my down pipe.
That is another good one to check.

Last edited by Craig4g63; 06-06-2023 at 09:37 AM.
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Old 06-07-2023, 10:16 AM   #6
djoye
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Check the turbo coolant lines. If you replaced those and either didn't get the exact size or are using worm clamps that are prone to distorting as they tighten, you could have a small coolant leak that is dropping coolant on the turbo.
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Old 06-10-2023, 08:47 PM   #7
BugEye209
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Craig4g63 View Post
You are thinking of head gasket, that usually will allow the oil and coolant to mix. valve cover gasket would just leak oil.



That is another good one to check.
Thank You Will check these next then.
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Old 06-10-2023, 08:48 PM   #8
BugEye209
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nwood1976 View Post
My car had those symptoms once after the front passenger cv boot split open and spun grease all along my down pipe.
Thanks I'll check it out.
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