[:@]When I put the pedal to the metal for a little while, I get this burning smell from the engine area. I was wondering if my turbos are failing or if the bearing (s)are gone. I also own a Saab 9-3 and I can hear the single turbo spool up. So I figured with twin turbos I should hear them but I don't. Ineed help!

 

You might have a turbo return line leaking.

 

Where and what is it. I have an 03 XC90.

 

The turbo return line goes from the bottom of the turbo into the block.

 

Should I warm up the vehicle first? Tech my buddy has an 03 SVT cobra 596rhp. Car is crazy.

 

Warm it up to look at it?
Not sure what you mean by warming it up.

I love the 03 Cobra's.
I love mine better though. But also mine will only ever see a little over 300Hp though.

 

Starting the volvo up and let idle for a little while.

-Planning on any mods?
-You have single or duel pipes coming out the back, I prefer the duel, they look awsome.

 

No need to warm it up really.

You mean am I planning mods?
If so I have some done already.

 

A total turbo failure is normally preceded by a seal failure which usually begins as a result of heat sink after shut down. A seal failure will leak (seep) oil into the exhaust pipe and is notable with a white puff of smoke after an idling stop such as a stop light. If you routinely see this a total failure is not far off.

There are two things that will almost eliminate turbo failure and if I owned a turbo anything, I'd do them both. 1. Synthetic oil. Synthetic oil is much more thermally stable, that is, it does what oil is suppose to do in temperature extremes - hot and cold much better than dino oil. It is also very highly resistant to coking. 2. Install a turbo pre - luber. This is a small 12V electric motor that pumps oil from the oil pan into the turbo bearings for a period of time after shut down. This time is adjustable on some units and some units are also designed to run prior to start up. These units are more common in emergency units and are designed to start when the door is opened. They can give oil pressure prior to start up and since most all wear in today's engines occurs in the first 10 minutes.... But, in turbo applications the continued through put of oil after shut down helps cool the bearings and prevents heat sink and the resultant coking.

Yes idling for a couple minutes after a drive will also go a long way to cool down the bearings, but how many times do you really do it. And how successful are you at getting your wife to do it after a shopping trip - every time? Be honest.