Hello everyone. My wife was driving the Ex a few days ago and she said the turbo was making a "not normal" sound, as in higher than normal, while accelerating to get on the freeway. Later, that same day on the way home the CEL came on and it was a P0401. I have been having this recurring code every once in awhile and I just usually clear it and don't worry about it.

We were out yesterday and had no issues but i noticed after we went to Costco and came out when i started it it had grayish smoke at idle and would puff out as i would give it a little gas with the pedal. Drove it back home and didn't see any smoke on the way and no smoke at idle waiting to cool down from the drive home.

This morning I pulled the EGR valve and it was a little dirty, but nothing major. The soot was completely dry, as well as the intake...dry with no major build up at all. I checked oil...good. Coolant level is good and degas bottle is clean.

I hooked up AE and MAP, EBP, BARO are all within .5v of each other at KOEO. No smoke at all until temps got around 165ish or so. It won't smoke until i give it gas btw. FMP is 48.00, FLP and FVP are both at 13-13.5. I cleaned the turbo, EGR/Oil cooler, water pump, cleaned intake, map hose, replaced harness and a few other sensors that were broken or leaking appx. 3500 miles ago. Temps have been 6-8 with ambients at 100-115 as I live in AZ. Last oil was done 3500 miles with upper fuel filter as well. Lower HFCM filter was done 8500 ago. oil is rotella T6 15W-40 Syn. Coolant is Cat ELC All filters/caps are OEM.

What is wierd is I am watching the VGT duty cycle and it will cycle and sweep as I give it throttle and will go back to 85% at operating temp. I do not believe this is normal. I don't think the turbo seal is bad because if it was would it not be puffing out smoke as soon as i start it? Is that correct? AE was showing no misfires while monitoring as well. Any insight is appreciated.

So am I looking at a VGT solenoid or turbo or what? All info about vehicle is in sig.

 

Just a thought, but It could be a bad batch of fuel if all sensors are reading normal.

I had a tank of fuel a couple months ago that did weird things in regards to smoke at start-up and take-off, but all sensors seemed normal so I let it pass and with a fresh tank of fuel all was well.

Josh

 

I do use a fuel station that has a high turnover rate and put in either deisel kleen or archoil in every fill up

 

I use a high traffic service station as well. But it seems sometimes crap happens.

It was just an idea. I say burn off the tank, do some WOT runs to help blow out any carbon, plus excercise the turbo and injectors.

And then see what's up.

Josh

 

will do. I think i might go ahead and replace both fuel filters a bit early

 

And i am guessing the only way to tell if the turbo seal is bad is to pull the turbo?

 

Pull the downpipe and look for oil.

Although the smoke would be bluish white not grey or black.

Josh

 

Smoke is definitely grayish..not white, not black. What about doing an injector bubble test? Could i have an o-ring that is starting to go? I do get blow by when i remove the oil fill cap. Maybe a bad valve guide??

 

Just to clarify your FICM voltages are 45+ KOEO, cranking and while driving?

Josh

 

constantly at 48v. only dips to 47.5 for less than a few secs...fluctuates between the 2

 

This is a pic of AE at KOEO this morning

 

Couldn't hurt to pop the upper fuel cap and do a bubble test.

But, I still think the engine just needs a good job being worked over.

Josh

 

what would be the reason the vgt stays at 85% at operating temp?

 

I take it that behavior is unusual? There are couple other members here who show 85% at hot idle.

If it is unexpected I would tend to lean towards cleaning the EBP sensor and tube first even though your KOEO looks ok.

Josh

 

yes it is unusual. I also cleaned the ebp sensor and tube 3500 miles ago when i did the oil/egr r/r