Problem with van

[axel132132]

Hi all,

I have an Astra VAN, and recently it has been doing this issue it dosent do it all the time just every now and then after ive done very long journeys (3hours)

What happened today was i drove from London - Huddersfield (3:30) car was fine but as i left motorway i put it down to 2nd, accelerated and the car made a like clunking noise and puffed out thick white smoke.. Changed it to 3rd did the same again changed to 4th and was fine and 5th was fine.

Drove to round about, back down to 1st.. From 1st - 2nd was ok, 2nd - 3rd puffed white smoke, 3rd - 4th, white smoke 4th - 5th fine.

It makes a weird clunking noise and puffs out smoke it sorta smells weird aswell! I took to my mate who works on busses in his garage (He does busses only apparently he has no idea about cars just busses) he had a look at oil, oil was fine, coolent was low so he topped up.. He said sorta looks like alittle bit of oil may be in coolent..

Then as i drove of his polish mate said TURBO!

Ive no idea, anyone had this before? Its an Astra Van MK4 been serviced every year 04 plate.. 118000 miles

 

[Stonsey]

Doesn't sound too good...

A little pause...

White smoke is usually from in burnt fuel in exhaust, possibly faulty injectors or ring problems.

 

[jimmymac]

I would say a turbo problem if it's white smoke, if it is a turbo prob it will get worse rapidly

 

[axel132132]

****! Im skint man turbo's cost alot dont they!

 

[jimmymac]

About £400 ish, depends what type it is. Dont take my word for it though, i'm only a DIY mechanic, get a professional opinion. Is it the DTI or CDTI?

i'm told turbo problems are common on CDTI models

 

[axel132132]

Umm i believe its the CDTI, im gonna take it to my mothers mechanic mate and see what he says but your the 2nd person now who said could be turbo issue.. This makes me sad lol!

Wish u had lied and said "Yeh its nowt dont worry" ha >.>

 

[jimmymac]

If it does turn out to be the turbo, have a look at AET turbos, i think they're in leeds, i got one posted to me a few years back

 

[axel132132]

Im not very knowledgeable on vehicles but im guessing u cant just take the turbo out and run the van as a 1.7? without the 1.7 CDTI ha.. Just be slow?

 

[jimmymac]

Errrmmmm.....NO!

 

[axel132132]

Damn ha i tried! proper guttered =/ seems every penny i make atm seems to just go straight away cos things go wrong

 

[UNG]

Im not very knowledgeable on vehicles but im guessing u cant just take the turbo out and run the van as a 1.7? without the 1.7 CDTI ha.. Just be slow?

A turbo engine has a different compression ratio to a non turbo engine and even if it did work the ECU would need remapping

When you get the white smoke do you have any loss of performance, had a similar problem to this on a different vehicle and under hard acceleration the inlet hose to the turbo collapsed because it had partially de laminated internally this reduced the airflow to the engine so the fuel wasn't being burnt properly so if you are lucky it may just need a new hose

 

[1shortcircuit]

Axel, you could also do a search for Vauxhall breakers yards. Many now put a warranty on parts that they supply you.

Are you sure that the clunk and puff of smoke are connected? Sure there isn't an engine mount gone or bottom arm and the smoke is a different issue?

:thumbsup

 

[MarkieSparkie]

Turbos spin at speeds that are often in excess of 100,000 rpm and the turbine bearings must be constantly bathed by clean oil to prevent wear.
It sounds like the turbine shaft seals are worn. There are seals are at both ends of the turbine shaft and they normally keep the lubricating oil where it belongs bathing the bearings. But if either of the seals wear, oil can be pulled out of the bearing housing. Oil leaks are more common on the compressor side because that side of the turbo is constantly exposed to intake vacuum. The oil pulled from the bearing housing is injected into the combustion chamber with the fresh fuel charge where it is burnt and ejected from the exhaust as tell tail white smoke. This is usually most noticeable on down changes of the gears because this creates a large intake vacuum.

 

[Amp David]

1.7 CDTI as an oil cooler on it located down near the oil filter cartridge. I'm also pretty sure that this is also has something to do with the EGR valve.

Your clunking could be the EGR flap. Could be bust and just hanging loose and if the oil cooler has started to go, then I reckon water good be getting passed into your oil and EGR, producing white smoke.

If turbo is gone,then you'd have very little power throughout the revs.

 

[ifindoubtdont]

Further to what MarkieSparkie said, if oil is pulled from the turbo bearing and the oil/engine is hot enough the oil will ignite in the cylinders under compression, even if you switch the ignition off the engine will still run because its being feed oil from the turbo bearing. The engine revs will continue to climb until either the engine runs out of oil or you get piston shaped dents on the inside of your bonnet. If you're a member of a motoring club get one of their Patrols to have a quick look before it costs an arm and a leg. At the moment it sounds like you might have just caught it in time. Steve