Here's an e-mail response I received from a gentleman at Turbochargers, Inc. :

Okay,
Here are my thoughts. The turbo is not "sealed", it has a piston ring seal at the turbine end, and thus can leak out that end and smoke if the oil is allowed to build up too high in the bearing housing. Reasons for the oil reaching too high a level would be that there is some kind of restriction in the oil drain back to the engine, excess crankcase pressure, or to much oil pressure and/or volume feeding the turbo. If your oil drain tube or line is at an angle more than 37 degrees, then that could cause. Ideally, the oil
drain should be pointing straight down. I wouldn't think that there is
anything wrong with your turbo and once you solve the problems allowing it to leak, then the smoke will clear up and burn away. Regards, Carl Gross

Now I don't know what to think. I guess the seal could still be bad - but it seems like it's not a unit that fails on this turbo. It seems that the seal is like a "bypass" valve that will vent excess pressure.

That would mean that something is wrong with the oil drain on my car? But if that's the case - why isn't the stocker blowing smoke?

The oil drain hose wan't pinched/kinked/blocked when I removed the VF30.

I'm confused. *sigh*.

Aloha,
Richard...

My mitsu. would blow blue smoke on my 16g at 16psi of boost after my rebuild.

I don't know much about the boxer engines capability to rid of excess crank case pressure.

Maybe bigger breathers on the center bank and vent it to the atmosphere.

Try this: krankvent.com

If Ferrari is using it it must be ok.

My mitsu. would blow blue smoke on my 16g at 16psi of boost after my rebuild.

I don't know much about the boxer engines capability to rid of excess crank case pressure.

Maybe bigger breathers on the center bank and vent it to the atmosphere.

Try this: krankvent.com

If Ferrari is using it it must be ok.

Thanks for the thought El Jeffe! What's weird is it happens at IDLE. I can't believe the motor is that stuffed up at idle. :(

Very weird. I also don't understand why the stock turbo does fine, but the VF30 blows smoke? That's why I'm assuming it's the turbo.

Aloha,
Richard...

Richard,

Have you thought about trying to put the VF30 back in just to see? The tradeoff is that you could jack your engine in a bad way.

If you can't get a replacement, I would think about it. But that's just me. :)

-Greg

sounds like you got a bad one- it can happen. Have it replaced. I've seen brand new turbos do that.

Thanks, Ed. That's what I think too.

I'm eagerly awaiting to see what Alex will say. No word yet though. :(

Richard...