i was driving back from south of france last week and my 4x4 townace started playing up.
it felt like it was putting itself in 4x4 the turbo stopped and it poored out blue smoke
i needed to get home so i decided to continue carefully as i pulled away from a roundabout it took off ok again no smoke turbo working again no whining from the gearbox and this was happening on and off for about 4 hours anyone got any ideas whats wrong.

- (#12089) peter, 13 Jul 04 13:29

Have you got your front hubs locked?

- (#12089) dave Bright (Bournemouth), 13 Jul 04 13:53

no the front hubs are not locked

- (#12089) peter, 13 Jul 04 15:15

Blue smoke - burning oil?
Perhaps the turbo is playing up? Did it happen after heavy use, and is it happening now the Ace is empty?
The oil could be from the turbo which would indicate a blown seal and malfunction of the turbo?
Have you checked you oil level?

- (#12089) Clive (Bristol), 13 Jul 04 15:55

I'm with Clive on this. If the smoke was from the exhaust it can't be coming from the gearbox...

- (#12089) David Miller, 13 Jul 04 16:11

I understand this but the gearbox was whinning when it was smoking and i had no turbo this was when it smoked
but when i slowed (eg) at a roundabout or junction and the whinning stopped there was no smoke no whinning and turbo was working ok
i thought it may be a sensor problem !!!

- (#12089) peter, 13 Jul 04 20:12

How do you know it was the tranny doing the whining? Remember that the turbo is under/ behind you as well...

- (#12089) David Miller, 14 Jul 04 00:57

Is this manual or automatic?
Have you checked the transfer box? Maybe its low on oil and is binding when hot.

- (#12089) dave Bright (Bournemouth), 14 Jul 04 02:13

i just thought it sounded like was transmission but i see your point
but why should that interfere with the 4x4 box.

yes it is auto

- (#12089) peter, 14 Jul 04 02:38

Why do you feel it was engaging 4x4? Noises/ steering pulling/ indicator light?

- (#12089) David Miller, 14 Jul 04 08:05

fter alot of thought and investigating i now think the prob is turbo

is there a reason why it should sometimes work and sometimes not

is there a relay of any kind that would cause this

- (#12089) peter, 14 Jul 04 14:54

either it's duff to the extent of seizing up intermittently, or you might have a blocked "vacuum" hose or an iffy injection pump...

- (#12089) David Miller, 14 Jul 04 15:28

Might also check for a blocked/ partially blocked breather hose atop the head...

- (#12089) David Miller, 15 Jul 04 00:27

i put it in garage and they said the turbo had loads of oil in it
this is caused by defective oil seals in the turbo do you think this is correct
your veiws would be appreciated as i dont want to have the expense of a replacement turbo then have more probs with it later

- (#12089) peter, 15 Jul 04 05:55

Don't want to blow my own trumpet but....
its the turbo!
Yes very likely duff seals, may be as a result of duff bearings hence the noise (or vice versa), don't know if you can replace the seals.
Dave want to take it from here?

- (#12089) Clive (Bristol), 15 Jul 04 06:18

where do i find out the engine type ie: ct2 ct3

- (#12089) peter, 15 Jul 04 07:13

engine type should be on the plate below the drivers seat.

Whilst spares are available for the turbo (from turboTechnics, about £130 for a kit...) it's not as simple as just replacing the seals, as it's got to be rebalanced afterwards.

I'd double check for a kink or blockage in the breather hose before spending too much dosh tho...

- (#12089) David Miller, 15 Jul 04 08:47