Some FAILURES

[Dzaster]

So I was having a problem with some smoke clouds from the exhaust after idling for a minute or so--especially when cold start. I thought it was valve stem seals. However, I pulled the manifold to have a look at the exhaust ports and there wasn't the slightest evidence of oil leaking or burning. Oh, and I did check plugs first and nothing as well.
http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/cc340/dzaster96799/Turbo/IMG_1721.jpg

They were all just like those.


So I moved on to the turbo checking the compressor side plumbing first and no oil.

Unbold the downpipe and find this, TURBO JUICE!!!
http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/cc340/dzaster96799/Turbo/IMG_1719.jpg
http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/cc340/dzaster96799/Turbo/IMG_1723.jpg



So I bolt that mess all back up. Order me another T25 from Japan--used "low mileage". Figure I can rebuild this one while the other is running then swap out for the rebuilt one eventually. Then the next day, driving home up a very small hill, was in 3rd, stepped on the gas to put me in WOT and "CRAP" running on 2 cylinders. I instantly thought of ringlands/pistons or broken rod. I'm not even sure I had made it into boost terrritory when it happened. Got home, checked plug, fine. Checked timing belt to be sure it didnt' jump, fine. Checked compression, none retained in 1 & 2.


Pulled the head and found this.
http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/cc340/dzaster96799/Turbo/IMG_1728.jpg


I'm thinking it was a combo of things--cheap HG, reused head bolts, never had the head checked upon initial rebuild(thought was fine). I understand, STUPID!!! Live and learn. Mind you guys no one has touched this car but my exhaust shop. And its my first productive car modding adventure--somehwat productive.

May have also been the result of the greater "lean tip-in" I recently started seeing just after I installed the resistors into the injector circuit. I have decided to pick me up one of them O2 clamps. Just gotta muster up the dough. Kinda gave up some finer things to get all these repaired and the wife is giving me a hard time for what, to me, is a small part--physically.


I have since ordered HG and Headbolts from Toyota and had the head milled. Just waiting on Toyota to get those parts in. Oh, and anyone have experience with Permatex Copper Spray. I am think some of that stuff gingerly for added insurance.


Anyways, if you guys have some otehr ideas about HG's blowing in that manner I'm open. However, go easy on me, but honest as well.

[Accord2nrz]

sometimes you just have to chalk it up to the "crap" happens factor. While it does suck it has happened to all of us. To include the anger from the mrs when things go wrong. I'm all too familiar with it but I understand where she is coming from. I'd say it's likely from the afr's being too lean and the age of the gasket. I reccomend a high performance gasket to go with the new studs you ordered.

[Dzaster]

Thanks, I actually ordered a HG from Toyota the day I pulled the head.

All the guys with these motors doing ~300whp use OEM HG's. Won't ever be pushing anything like that and I do paln to get better tuned for reliability/longevity once the O2 clamp gets in.

[Accord2nrz]

as long as the tune is right in theory you can pull any amount of power out of the motor so long as you don't exceed the mechanical failure of the motor. every motor has one.

I think for general rule of thumb is this
take your BHP and half it
Add that to your BHP
The number you get is the amount of HP you can pull out of your OEM motor before having to replace mechanical components

Example. my car BHP 140. 1/2 that is 70 = Mechanical Failure point of 210HP.

makes sense. I ran 2 lbs with no issues Hp was around 190. Went to 5lbs. 220-230 ish. Blew the motor.

Running 10 lbs now est HP unknown however I'm running into stuff breaking like i never though, axles, injectors, gaskets, alternators...

It's a good rule of thumb to build by. I'm even having electrical issues due to the heat increase.

[ND_Neon_Guy]

sometimes you just have to chalk it up to the "crap" happens factor. While it does suck it has happened to all of us. To include the anger from the mrs when things go wrong. I'm all too familiar with it but I understand where she is coming from. I'd say it's likely from the afr's being too lean and the age of the gasket. I reccomend a high performance gasket to go with the new studs you ordered.

Yeah but when its possible to blame it on one individual person it kinda makes it worse. Everytime we get together and work on your car something bad happens. I remember breaking several of your tools to include Impact sockets, breaker bar, reducer, etc. Also I think the biggest thing I did was (Bell Housing) sorry J-B Weld will fix anything right lol

[bluesnowgt]

i remember the jb weld...not great fix, but still holding!! lol we were all mad as hell wen ur turbo got messed up by (undisclosed) exhaust shop...so we started to learn ourselves how to weld (thanks to walmart lol) so is the honda running? leila driving it every now and again?

[Dzaster]

Good rule of thumb there Accord.

And sounds like you guys have had some little adventures. I prefer to just get insight from others and do the physical hands-on work myself--not much choice.

[BOOSTED_CRX]

damn now that sucks man blown headgasket yo can kind of see it was already washin up the piston lol. Ive seen a lot of blown heads where i work but i dont rebuild i just say another engine lol its almost just as much to get another engine instead of buyin headgasket and all seal and gaskets again lol. but its up to the customer. At least you didnt over heat it casue that would have been an even worse case.

[RPW00Mirage]

Boosted that coolant may have come through when he pulled the head.

[Dzaster]

Boosted that coolant may have come through when he pulled the head.
It is from when I pulled the head. There was no coolant burn/smoke. The smoke I got was from the turbo. I have since slapped on another turbo, but still awaiting the head gasket. This motor has prolly 2k miles on it.

[maxgtr2000]

Good luck on getting it put back together, that's how we learn. I'm still waiting on my lesson I guess, I know it's coming.

[Kennymp3]

^^^^^^Same here.....
I hate to say it but Im sure my number will be called soon:(
You get that head gasket yet Dzaster?

[Dzaster]

Nah kenny, those are the perks of living on an island. You get taught patience.:p

Definitely, learn. Now, I'm lookin' to take every precaution I can. Don't really wanna drive the car until I'm comfortable I've addressed all possible culprits. I really think it was a combo of things, and the "lean tip-in".

[Dzaster]

Got the new HG today. Bout time.:mad:

Noticed something right away. The rings that encase the cylinders on the Toyota HG are a bit beefier. Compare to the pic above.
http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/cc340/dzaster96799/Turbo/IMG_1765.jpg


On the ebay HG the rings were skinnier and they didn't meet in the middle. They actually had gap that was filled with whatever composite material they used in China--recycled newspaper.:confused:

The Toyota one actually connects between cylinders--see pic above.

And a few more pics just in case you guys don't know what a OEM HG looks like. :p
http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/cc340/dzaster96799/Turbo/IMG_1762.jpg
http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/cc340/dzaster96799/Turbo/IMG_1764.jpg



Head is on and torqued to specs, but that is where I stopped today. Gonna finish up tommorrow and see what I see.

[bluesnowgt]

ur cylinders are VERY close together...my heads have some meat in between them.

[Dzaster]

I noticed that as well. Thin walls we have. I was looking an many other blocks and they all have a bit more space.