Car puffs smoke/burns oil after I let off the throttle at low RPM (traffic) - SRT Forums

phil_lt1 · 06-24-2008, 07:57 PM

Hi. As the title states, my SRT-4 puffs a cloud of burnt oil after I let off the throttle at low RPM's. It doesn't always happen, but when it does, I know it's oil. It can happen through 3rd gear, though mostly just in first. I notice it when I'm stuck in traffic; I'll be moving along slowly in 1st for some distance, then when I let off the throttle and pop the clutch to stop, I'll get a puff every once in a while.

I haven't checked anything yet, as my job is killing me right now. But I am going to try and see if replacing the PCV valve will help this weekend. About a month or so ago, I noticed the my catch tank was practically full (been keeping a much better eye on it now). I emptied it, but sometime after that is when I really started noticing it.

Once the car warms up (after 20-30 min. of driving), I don't notice it anymore.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. If list of mods is needed, just ask (there's a bunch). Other than the oil, everything runs fine, I got boost, and no CEL. Thanks.

Ghowie · 06-24-2008, 08:18 PM

is your car stock?

phil_lt1 · 06-25-2008, 07:23 AM

No. Almost everything outside the block has been changed.

DTEC FC/BC
JMB CAI
Greddy Catch Tank
Garrett DBB GT3071
3" MAXXfab TB Exhaust (no cat)
Synapse BOV
JMB Hard I/C Pipes
Aeromotive 1:1 FPR
Turbonetics Evolution WG
Lorenzo Throttle Body
Ported intake
Vavle Cover Breather Filter
CCA "Race" Intercooler
750cc Injectors
Walbro 255
Return Line

I think that's all the performance stuff. The car had seemed to be running cleaner until I noticed the puffs of smoke. I mean, I used to get all kinds of carbon build up around the tips on the bumper, and now it builds up much slower (used to be only a day or two and it was noticeable, now it's like a week or so).

Also, the car now has 21k miles, and the stuffs been acting fine for at least 10-15k of those (I put on 9k since Aug. last year). It's an '05.

Thanks.

ibnzmonkey · 06-25-2008, 02:06 PM

holy crap, mine does the EXACT same thing. when im driving its fine and no smoke. But when i brake at a light or come to a stop some small puffs come out and then it goes away. I am going to try the PCV valve this weekend. My car sat for 4 months while i was in the desert so im thinking its just some residual stuff burning off.
Or mabey its burning off the blow-by from the valve cover, i dont exactly know. im still trying to figure it out myself. The car dosent behave differently when it puffs, works awesomely. im thinking it might be my SST? ill throw in my stocker too this weekend and see if the smoke stops.

[vu]juan · 06-25-2008, 02:24 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ibnzmonkey

im thinking it might be my SST? ill throw in my stocker too this weekend and see if the smoke stops.

FYI... my SST was doing the same thing, bad seals. Replaced with E1 and now I have no problems.

BignickCSRT · 06-25-2008, 02:25 PM

Ok, I’m not a professional but I had the same similar problem with mine and it was a ’03. Check and see if you hear any funny noises from under the hood! Especially listen to see if the turbo makes any funny noises. My problem was my turbo! When it was going out it made a whining like the sound of a transmission going out! One day I was sitting in traffic, seen some grayish blue smoke and went straight to the shop. That’s when they told me my turbo was going out! Hope it’s not the same for ya’ll! I did have 97K on mine though!

ibnzmonkey · 06-25-2008, 02:29 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by [vu]juan

FYI... my SST was doing the same thing, bad seals. Replaced with E1 and now I have no problems.

hopefully mine isnt bad...i would be SO PISSED. it hasent even seen over 10 PSI during my owership. The previous owner did push 24 psi with it though.....grr.

[vu]juan · 06-25-2008, 04:19 PM

Remove your intake and check for play on the turbo shaft...

ibnzmonkey · 06-25-2008, 04:48 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by [vu]juan

Remove your intake and check for play on the turbo shaft...

how much is too much play? my stock turbo shaft dosent budge at all when i try to move it. it ONLY moves in and out mabey a bazillionth of an inch, not much but barely noticable. My SST is like....wobbley. wtf.

[vu]juan · 06-25-2008, 05:37 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ibnzmonkey

how much is too much play? my stock turbo shaft dosent budge at all when i try to move it. it ONLY moves in and out mabey a bazillionth of an inch, not much but barely noticable. My SST is like....wobbley. wtf.

It should be just like the stock turbo. Side to side maybe 1/16" and nothing front to back. Anything else will smoke...

ibnzmonkey · 06-25-2008, 06:27 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by [vu]juan

It should be just like the stock turbo. Side to side maybe 1/16" and nothing front to back. Anything else will smoke...

fuck.

phil_lt1 · 06-25-2008, 07:59 PM

Cool. I'm going to go through some of the motions this weekend. I never beat on the car too bad (usually only after work on freeway on-ramps, never street racing), and I never have buried the tach with a missed shift, even with the crappy trans, so this problem just showing up is bothering me. I did the PCV test where you pinch the hose and mine did pop or click when I let go, so I don't think the PCV is bad, but I'm going to change it anyways. Time to start looking for oil leaks and play I guess. I really hope the turbo isn't shot for some reason. Like I said, I have't done anything to break it! It's supposed to be robust!

If anybody else has fixes or checks for this, please chime in. Thanks.

Ghowie · 06-25-2008, 08:01 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by phil_lt1

No. Almost everything outside the block has been changed.

DTEC FC/BC
JMB CAI
Greddy Catch Tank
Garrett DBB GT3071
3" MAXXfab TB Exhaust (no cat)
Synapse BOV
JMB Hard I/C Pipes
Aeromotive 1:1 FPR
Turbonetics Evolution WG
Lorenzo Throttle Body
Ported intake
Vavle Cover Breather Filter
CCA "Race" Intercooler
750cc Injectors
Walbro 255
Return Line

I think that's all the performance stuff. The car had seemed to be running cleaner until I noticed the puffs of smoke. I mean, I used to get all kinds of carbon build up around the tips on the bumper, and now it builds up much slower (used to be only a day or two and it was noticeable, now it's like a week or so).

Also, the car now has 21k miles, and the stuffs been acting fine for at least 10-15k of those (I put on 9k since Aug. last year). It's an '05.

Thanks.

bad turbo seal or tosted ring/piston

phil_lt1 · 06-25-2008, 08:29 PM

If that turns out to be the case, who knows a good place (or anyplace for that matter) that sells parts to rebuild Garrett turbos? Any of the vendors/shops here?

**quickshift** · 06-25-2008, 08:36 PM

seeing that you have a garrett turbo, thats most likely the problem. i just took a brand new(600-700 miles tops) garrett dbb 50 trim off my car last night because of this problem. drove the car all day today with the new turbonetics bb 50trim and not one single puff. from what i get from other people,...this is a common problem with garrett dbb turbos..