Will leaking turbocharger seals cause smoke at startup?

[wild man]

It's been getting worse lately that the first time I start the 89 951 on any given day, cylinder #1 misses, and smoke pours out of the exhaust for a minute or so, and then it clears up and doesn't do it again for the rest of the day. I believe the cause is worn turbocharger seals, but I would like to know if there is consensus on this. Compression is >145psi in all cylinders. I'm also seeing more and more smoke out of the exhaust when I get into full boost.

[JAXTURBO]

Other culprits include valve stem seals, and AOS seals I think.

[zedsn]

Hi, I have the same problem when the weather turned colder here in Ohio this Fall. I believe it is the turbo seals. I pulled the plugs and they all look fine. I was having some blowby under heavy boost this summer and believe my seals are worn.

[wild man]

Originally Posted by JAXTURBO

Other culprits include valve stem seals, and AOS seals I think.

Valve stem seals = smoke when idling.

AOS seals = external leaks.

[JAXTURBO]

Originally Posted by wild man

Valve stem seals = smoke when idling.

AOS seals = external leaks.

Wild Man, since he noted that the smoke ceased once warmed I figured combustion chamber was getting drops from oil running back to pan after shutdown - then on start up, whatever was in there would burn out and repeat process at shutdown. My guess (just a guess) would be that the turbo seals would continue to leak/smoke until repaired, and only get worse on boost/acceleration. That's why I went down the road. There's an awful lot to be learned from this site, and I am learning alot. Thanks for the correction.

[Techno Duck]

Bad AOS o-rings cause excessive oil in the intake track, which can foul the plugs. Not a likely scenario though.

I doubt your idle problem is turbo related.

[wild man]

Originally Posted by Techno Duck

Bad AOS o-rings cause excessive oil in the intake track, which can foul the plugs. Not a likely scenario though.

I doubt your idle problem is turbo related.

Firstly, I'm the one that stands corrected on the AOS seals. I was under the impression that they caused oil to drip on the cross-over pipe when they went bad.

Secondly, I don't have an idle problem. I was simply stating (from experience with the 77 924) that if your valve seals are bad, smoke will get worse and worse, the longer it is left idling, when hot. Replacing the seals completely resolved that issue.

Also when I first start it up for the day, I can clear the miss in a couple seconds, if I start to drive the car right away. If I do that, I see a cloud of smoke where I left my driveway.