Hi there, long time reader first time poster here. I have a 1.6 with a greddy turbo setup, I can smell oil while I am driving the car and there is a little bit of smoke out the tailpipe (not a lot),... I have done a dry compression test on the engine 160,170,170,170 (1234) so I don't think its the rings.. but I am not sure... is there anything else I can look at that would cause this.. sorry for the noob questions...would a catch can help an issue like this?

cheers

 

Cheapest & easiest thing to check is the PCV valve. Next, pull a cold side intercooler pipe to see if your turbo seals are leaking oil into the intake. Next on the difficulty scale would be valve seals. Next would be piston rings.

Can you describe the conditions where you are observing or smelling oil?

 

I have changed the PCV valve ( old one was still good ), I have pulled off some intercooler piping and there is a little oil in there... I just remembered that I did an oil change but only had some 10W30 on hand,.. and after that the burning oil smell started.,, I will change the oil and check again, I can smell the oil at idle not even driving the car, thanks a lot for any suggestions !

 

Check for the CAS O-ring leaking down the back of the head.

 

In the same line of thinking, you could have a leaky valve cover gasket that is weeping on to the exhaust manifold.

 

There should never be oil in the intercooler pipes. Since you have told us very little about your setup and have included no pictures we are unlikely to be helpful.

I'm guessing your hotside VC vent is plumbed into your piping somewhere. That's my stab in the dark.

 

I apologize for such little info and no pics, first time poster,... and I am at work so no access to pics right now,
Here is a bit more information on my car, I can upload some pics later tonight...

1.6l engine with greddy turbo and intercooler running about 13psi
550cc injectors,
Megasquirt PNP
BEGI downpipe
COP's installed
Holley HP fuel pump,, cant thing of anything else....besides gauges and stuff

and yes there is a hose going from the VC to the Turbo, since there is oil in IC piping (not a lot but there is some in there), would a catch can be the route to take or rebuild the turbo, ?
Thanks for the help and my bad on being such a lousy poster.... lol

 

The oil coming from the VC will fill the intercooler with oil and water, and cause oil vapor to be ingested by the engine. Oil vapor lowers the octane of the air fuel mixture and promotes detonation as well as creating blue smoke.

There is a nice catch can and PCV thread around here somewhere you should probably read. It may shed light on solutions that will help.