More Mystery Problems w/ my '06 Turbo

[sarahemily]

Hi all,

My '06 turbo is having some mystery problems, and the symptoms are quite frankly confusing me and the repair shop where I have it, so I thought I'd ask the experts.

-Been having white (maybe white/blue) smoke out of the exhaust when starting up for about a week. Does not smell sweet, like I have heard coolant does. It smells like burning hydrocarbons.
-No overheating.
-Took car for an oil change Wednesday, and the coolant was very low. They refilled it. It is still fine, not low, so if there's a leak, it's not a fast one.
-I (and the mechanic) can smell a sort of burning smell inside the car.
-Last night, white smoke was coming out from the hood after I had driven it for about a mile. Has not happened again.
-Before the oil change, the oil light blinked on twice. I immediately took it in.
-Shop can't find any noticeable external leaks.
-Possibly, there is some hesitation, lack of smoothness (if that makes any sense) when I accelerate, particularly a "hard" acceleration from a standstill.
-A few times while accelerating, I've heard a repeated clicking noise. Doesn't happen all the time, not sure if it's related.

I was suspecting head gasket, but was told it would be overheating if that was the problem? Is that true?

I'm about an hour from my home and trying to figure out if it's safe to continue driving.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts you might have. You guys are the best.

[Ray_Dockrey]

Has the PCV been changed? I know that in a lot of cases with the turbo it is suggested to start with the PCV.

Hesitation and rough idle could be it needs plugs and wires if they haven't been changed.

[sarahemily]

Idle is fine, not rough. I finally had the same conclusion about the PCV after reading lots and lots of other threads. Car has 160,000 miles, and I don't think it's ever been changed. Is this something a non-mechanical person can change easily? I see the part is fairly inexpensive and from what I've been reading, it's just a matter of finding the piece and switching it out - don't have to take anything else apart. Is that accurate? What should I know to watch out for?

[quicksilverdon]

Agree on PCV - changing one is all of 5 minutes - shake the new one, it'll rattle and old one probably won't.
The spark plugs on PTs are in "wells" that have oil seals that can and often do go bad and the leaked oil will stink and possibly smoke.

[randyincctx]

It's a fairly simple task,especially when you have a group of people helping with the instructions........
The hardest part will probably be removing the old,especially if sealant(RTV) or thread tape was used previously,plus being in there for so many years/miles!
First thing is to locate the PCV valve (see photos),then take/pull off the rubber/plastic hose,and then unscrew the old valve using a 24mm wrench.
Installation is basically the reverse;Screw the new valve in,torque to 70 inch lbs(or fairly tight,NOT too tight!),then re-attach the rubber/plastic hose...and your done.

[Hearse]

The pvc valve is on the other side of the valve cover on top for turbo's.

[randyincctx]

Originally Posted by Hearse

The pvc valve is on the other side of the valve cover on top for turbo's.

You are correct sir...I missed that part;My bad;Other than the location of the PCV valve,it's still the same basic process for R&R.

[quicksilverdon]

Originally Posted by Hearse

The pvc valve is on the other side of the valve cover on top for turbo's.

And on my '05, doesn't screw in, is a push and 1/4 turn twist.

[Busted_PT]

If your turbo has a quite a few miles you may want to pull the intake hose off and check the play in the shaft . In and out and side to side.

[sarahemily]

Anyone have problems getting the part? The parts stores' computers show a straight valve, not the angled one that came out of the car. When I brought the actual part in, they said it has to be ordered from the factory. The dealership here thinks they have one, but I'm less than optimistic at this point.