hi folks!,
just traded an afternoons plumbing work for a 97 850 t5 with an auto transmission.
the car runs smoothly and quietly with no rattles or noises from the engine - But it smokes quite badly mostly at idle and on the over run when you lift off the throttle and freewheel - under power it doesn't seem anywhere near as bad.
already done a compression test on it all cylinders between 12 - 13 bar when the engine is warm (within 2 to 3 compression strokes)
I also removed the pipe from the turbo to the intercooler and noticed a lot of oil (fairly clean and wet ) pooling up at the exit of the turbo and in the pipe work.
Also either the boost gauge doesn't work or the turbo is not working as the gauge isn't moving even when accelerating hard past 4000rpm.
Am I right in thinking that first I should service the PCV system then if that doesn't cure it I should change the turbo?
The car has ultra high miles (220 000) but a huge amount of service history with regular oil changes from new.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
JIM

 

I would imagine that you are getting boost, but that your gauge is disconnected. The PCV system will cause a lot of the issues you are describing here, so that should probably fix most of your issues. If not, at least it's a good place to start.

 

see if smoke comes out the dipstick after its warm. check your ptc. more then likely its the pvc system

 

Well i changed the oil separator box on the front of the engine and cleaned out the fitting at the turbo end of the breather hoses which was pretty gunked up - in fact almost blocked solid and still she smokes!
I found a split in one of the intercooler connector hoses which would explain the lack of boost.
The boost /vacuum gauge does work and shows a good amount of vacuum so I pulled the turbo out to check it and it seems pretty worn out, none of the vanes on the turbine or compressor have hit the casings but there was a lot of end float in the shaft (approx 1mm or so) and a fair amount of up and down play in the bearings so I am currently rebuilding the turbo and sending it for balancing this week.
Hope this fixes it!
If not any ideas where to go next?
Thanks for all the help
Jim

 

check your ptc, and are all your pvc hoses clean? also clean your ptc well it its probably plugged up

 

Read through my smoke problems before you spend any real money.

https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-850-16/smoking-1995-850-turbo-wgn-47242/

I would start with a complete tune up, new plugs and wires as well as the dizzy cap and rotor.

 

Hi Again,
I have replaced all the hoses from the oil separator tank to the turbo inlet pipe and the little hose up to the rocker box cover was cleaned out also.
where is the ptc located and what do i need to do to it?
I have cleaned out the fitting just before the turbo inlet that the hoses from the oil tank go to.
Thanks for all the help and advice
Jim

 

The last mentioned cleaned area is the ptc. I usually replace those tubes, lines, etc.

What color is the smoke? If your turbo works well, you will feel the kick/power. If your turbo had that much play, it is likely the problem.

 

rebuilt and replaced the turbo and the car is now smoke free thanks for all help and advice
Jim

 

I see kinda' brown smoke coming out, and frustrated with it...

Even I tried cleaning out the fitting just before the turbo inlet that the hoses from the oil tank go to.

After that i don't know how to fix it - can anyone help?