Theories for cause of fault 850R

**Tomcat** · Friday 11th March 2011, 23:36

The new car that I'm aquiring shortly has suffered from a frozen water system over winter, apparently it popped a core plug out of the turbo. This was replaced and the turbo checked out as being ok, car now runs fine but leaves a cloud of smoke every where it goes, apparently it doesn't over heat and runs fine, also doesn't smoke until warmed up...

Anyone care to guess at what it could be?..apparently he's been told it could be a cracked head.

**T5frankie** · Friday 11th March 2011, 23:40

i had a t4 that only smoked when fully warmed up it was the turbo seal that was leaking onto the exhaust and it only smoked when the exhaust got hot

**Tomcat** · Friday 11th March 2011, 23:42

Mmm could be but apparently he's had the turbo checked over when it popped the core plug and they said it was ok.

**t5 pete** · Friday 11th March 2011, 23:44

Either what frank has said or head gasket problems i would be very causous withh it having a freezing issue froze water can expand alot and cause warping cracking etc if you do decide to buy it only offer a price for it including a 2nd hand engine if worst case

**Tomcat** · Friday 11th March 2011, 23:48

Believe me I'm getting it at a cheap enough price to warrant a new engine, just trying to decide wether to investigate or just throw a new lump in it and have done with, need transport shortly due to the 960 going so whatever I do it'll have to be quick.

**t5 pete** · Friday 11th March 2011, 23:53

First off then try a different turbo it doesnt take too long to change if that doesnt work take the head off and look for a breach on the gasket if nothing there get the head pressure tested its a case of elimantion

**Chopster** · Friday 11th March 2011, 23:54

Sorry mate but I'd have to agree to your first thought, the chances are the head or the block's cracked (classic symptoms... engine heats up then the crack opens and passes water into the combustion chambers)

I hope I'm wrong though...

**wegal** · Saturday 12th March 2011, 08:40

never seen an engine survive being frozen. The force that ice can exert is immense. Probably done the head, possible cracked the block. I will be suprised if you get away without having to fit a new engine.

Have it pressure tested that will tell you everything you need to know.

**S70T5Chris** · Saturday 12th March 2011, 09:02

I might know of a decent T5 engine down this way should you need one.

**Tomcat** · Saturday 12th March 2011, 09:06

Cheers Chris, I'll bear it in mind.

**T5frankie** · Saturday 12th March 2011, 09:31

if it is a head gasket it will boil out the expansion tank and the smoke would be white and it would smell different to oily smoke

**Tomcat** · Saturday 12th March 2011, 09:34

Apparently the car drives normaly even though it's smoking it's head off.

**T5frankie** · Saturday 12th March 2011, 09:37

Originally Posted by Tomcat

Apparently the car drives normaly even though it's smoking it's head off.

is it oily smoke if so could just be a leak what i had the seal was only a couple of quid, when a head gasket problem causes smoke then its usually too far gone and wont drive properly

**Tomcat** · Saturday 12th March 2011, 10:14

Dont know yet..

**leet5r** · Saturday 12th March 2011, 10:43

well core plugs are designed to go in situation like that tomcat , if ya unsure on what the problem is ya have to try the next weakest link which chance to be the head gasket like pete said , if its not over heatin its probs just the gasket itsself

**leet5r** · Saturday 12th March 2011, 10:45

if the blocks cracked would the water and oil not mix

**cherry1809** · Saturday 12th March 2011, 14:54

To keep costs down, I'd just change the lump anyway.
Pull the old one apart and modify it over time

**Tomcat** · Saturday 12th March 2011, 14:59

Tbh that's what I think I may do, the lump that's In it is fairly high mileage anyway. Just got to find a cheapish engine now but can't actualy buy anything until the payout comes through.

**Tomcat** · Monday 14th March 2011, 19:19

Ok, cars finally landed. At first glance it looks really nice (few small dints and stone chips etc), checked oil and water, water was a litle low (no antifreeze) and oil is completely none existant. Before realising there was no oil I ran it, smoked it's head off almost imediatley and it doesn't smell like water, hoping it may just be the seals that have gone in the turbo..or failing that the valve stem seals(which would drain the oil faster?). Still sounds ok, no rattles etc, just very, very smokey.

Aside from that everything works bar the sunroof which will go up but not back, front bumper has a large crack in it but I should be able to weld that.

Oh, just out of interest, what colour should the roof lining be in an R?...seem to remember it being dark in the T-5R but I can't remember, this one is beige, everything else is spot on....