Question for Banks turbo users... 1987 F350 Crew/duelly Banks Sidewinder Turbo ..94,000 miles on turbo; 140,528 on truck. Unit was mounted on 6.9 until sudden smoke and miss. Diesel shop found 1 clogged injector and then crack in #4 cylinder passenger side. Shop swapped in a 7.3 w/ approx 100,000 miles, installed 8 rebuilt injectors, oil send unit, and hoses as necessary. Shop claimed oil in turbo but could not confirm if oil was on both the intake and exhaust side so same turbo used. Truck smoked like a steam locomotive when picked up- shop owner said much antifreeze and oil in the muffler- run it and burn it out. Now 400 miles later and very little visible smoke (in mirror) over 30 mph; however, when come to stop smoke increases, and a tap is noticeable. At cold start, my house is "lost" in a cloud, and the engine seems to be hitting on 5 instead of 8 until revved up, and then all seem to fire. After a drive, then at idle a random "hiccup" or miss is noticed with simultaneous jump (or flick) in the oil pressure needle (downward). Smoke is bluish. Banks techs tell me that there is no documented life expectancy of the turbo unit, but that the only way oil could get in is through the CDR/damper or seals, and that the unit seems to go long past 100,000. CDR replaced today (old one had about 2 teaspoons oil)- no difference. The dilemma is that the 6.9 ran fairly clean w/no blue or grey smoke like this 7.3. I find it hard to believe that the turbo seals just suddenly gave out.

Rough running cold + blue smoke = injector problem?

Hiccup/oil pressure = electrical? (6.9 didn't do this)
Did they sell me a "smoker"?

Anybody run into a seal problem with the Banks unit? Any info would be helpful before I return to the shop and state my opinion

 

how much oil are you using, and does it use the oil after warmup, or only on cold start?? sounds like they gave you a junk 7.3. my sidewinder has 100k miles on it, and i only use 1 quart every 2,000 miles.

 

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With 480 miles,dipstick shows nomal level- (top of the full mark). Your 1qt@2000 is about the same as the original engine w/140188 miles. Smoke is heavy at start up. After warm-up some blue smoke still visible at idle (more than I think EPA will like!)