Starting to smoke under boost (CT9b)

[Mike_trx]

Hey guys, noticed yesterday that under boost (0.8 on standard ct9b) im getting a slight haze of smoke out the back higher up the revs. It has been looking a little white on idle too out the exhaust, not a lot but enough to see it, was hoping this was just condensation due to the weather or my de-cat letting smoke be more visible. The turbo is high mileage now (100K close) and ive been running it with an HKS actuator on 0.8 for some time now (got a Zisco manifold so hopefully not piston 3)

Im sure I caught it just starting to look slightly blue/gray but it's hard to tell when your trying not to twat whats in front! I was considering getting an ebay CT9 rebuild kit and doing this myself, but wanted some opinions from those that' have been here before...whats the best bet on a tight budget? (unless I sell my bike and stuff which i'd really rather not)

Im thinking either second hand, rebuild it myself or suggestions welcome!

Cheers

[Jozinobi]

Im in this position too Mike at the minute.

You think to yourself is it the turbo or something else.

The blitz decat should have nothing to do with it unless a gasket has failed.

Does the smoke out of your exhaust smell like anything besides fuel?

In other words does it smell any different to usual?

I dont get bad smoke (not black/white or grey but its starting to smell a little toasty.

Car boosts fine of course and Im only recently running 1 bar.

Im off to have the pcv changed on monday and if that doesnt solve it, take apart the turbo.

Im also running a catch can so even this can have implications eventually on your engines breathing.

Excess oil in your intercooler piping is also a sign something is up with the blower.

Thing is nothing is leaking oil, my engine is freshly rebuilt but it has always seemed to use a little more oil than usual.

Will report back what happens in my thread.

Joz

[Mike_trx]

Thanks for the reply mate, I also forgot to mention I too have a catch can fitted and drilled out the pcv valve to allow it to breath constantly. Can't say ive really noticed a difference in exhaust smell, if there is one it must be very minute because im always poking around with the car getting lungs full of the stuff! I recently ran a compression test and got 150-145-145-150 which seems slightly down on the usual 160 but with only 5psi difference I was pretty happy, considering it's near 100k now, just goes to show what these are capable of if you do regular oil changes and let it warm up and cool down properly!

I did notice when my old manifold cracked that I was loosing boost before I knew it was the manifold, so I turned up the boost to accomodate this (vie a bleed valve which was horrendous!) and probably put the turbo through a lot of strain as it tried to make 0.8 bar boosting it's little compressor wheel out lol...when I got a new manifold I instantly hit fuel cut even after turning it back down first, so this itself probably contributed to the failure im seeing now. Car still boosts fine, needs mapped though after the mods so far but ecu's are not cheap and I get paid peanuts right now and we are all suffering with insurance and petrol.

I have ordered a rebuild kit from ebay for the CT9 and im planning to do this myself, I will take pictures along the way for those interested in the rebuild for themselves or those wanting to see how a very high mileage ct9 looks in pieces. Once this arrives and I get it done i'll get back to you and let you know the outcome, hopefully something good comes out of it for the time being until I go hybrid.

Let me know how you get on with yours if you happen to find out anything or what progress you make

Cheers!

[Jozinobi]

Hey Mike

Seems like your CT9 may have been through an awful lot with all the forced boost from the bleed valve to compensate the leak.

Mine is a vintage (over 250k km) rebuilt 1993 GT engine and ran a ct9a before I replaced it with a running ct9b.

My engine used to run quite rich until I had it mapped recently. I know the smell of a rich exhaust but since the map it doesnt smell that way. The Ct9 was pushed pretty hard with the recent map and reckon that has started its demise (along with the launch control test!)

Catch can wise there are a number of ways to have it set up and mine is rocker breather > catch can < pcv valve - breather outlet on top of can venting to atmosphere.

I'm going to Jays to replace the pcv for a new one and may re-route it back as it is intended. Once you crank up the boost your engine will breathe heavier so it is vital all the airways are working optimally.

The pcv does its job by opening under vacuum and closing under boost to prevent the reversal of exhausted gasses back into the crankcase but rest assured others have also run a gutted pcv with the catch can set up. I done a ton of research on catch tanks/pcvs lately and its mind boggling. On the pipe running to atmosphere it visibly and constantly releases gasses/vapour so Im having this check out in more depth. My compression test is completely even across all four cylinders.

All the bells and whistles are still quite expensive these days (ecus and mapping) so it cannot be helped.

I can tell you once you do get your car mapped it will be a different car even on the ct9 so look forward to the day mate (can't be too far away!)

Im running an emanage ultimate I picked up 2nd hand for £200 and the field harness wiring (plug & play) £120 and a further £150 for fitting, installation of ebc, road mapping and tuning.

Plug and play replacement ecus like Blitz Access and are £450-£500. Just to give you some food for thought.

Still early days yet but lets hope a simple turbo replacement/rebuild will do the trick.

The ct9 rebuild will be a great learning process for you and will also give us some good insight too.

Seems like you really take concern over your engine mate which a good thing.

Please report back with some progress soon Don't get me started on the price of fuel!!!

Joz

[ro55ifumi]

Another tell tale sign is oil seeping on to the out side of the turbo casing, mine was smoking on start up an fine on boost but i like things to be right.

Replaced it with a CT9RB which i'm more than happy with think i'll get a rebuild kit and do the one i took of too as there is no shaft play what so ever just the seals let it go and it had done 170000klms

Engine still pulling strong and keep on top of the needed oil changes along with warm up cool down is the way to aid an engines life, having owned quite a few superbikes this was the way i treated all of the engines

John