JtheWrench
New member
Good Evening Everyone,
I am new to the Forum however not new to this particular Sonic. I have a 2012 with the 1.4L and 6-SPD man. I purchased this car from my dad at around 80k miles. The time i purchased, the only modifications to the vehicle was the early introduction of the trifecta tune for a little bit of performance and a DDM Works CAI. since then I have done a few mods as this is my first Forced induction vehicle.
Before I list the mods let me just say. I believe I have exhausted all I have in searching and can rule out some of the items listed as possible causes.
My car leaves one hell of a smoke screen any time I drive it. in saying this, no its not a head gasket, the turbo is brand new 2x, so is the intercooler, so is the intake manifold and valve cover. currently per the live data connection i have, I am pulling 38psi boost and at any given time my timing advance is anywhere from 32-41 deg(pending my reader is correct)
these issues did not occur until I stepped into the world of bolt on performance both from ZZP and from BNR.
currently the build is as follows
zzp big wheel v3 turbo
zzp intercooler with larger throttle body
zzp turbo back exhaust no muffler or resonator
forge vented BPV
Catch can
DDM Works CAI
early on trifecta tune
When I first started doing mods, I noticed an incredible boost to power particularly with the bigger turbo. unfortunately this turbo exploded the impeller shaft and had to be warrantied. since then I have replaced the turbo along with the exhaust and intake, figuring that the previous one had too much surge pressure and thats what caused failure. so i figure more air in and out without restriction = less possibility of premature turbo failure.
before first turbo failed, the pressure relief valve on the valve cover failed and that was soon replaced. went back to stock turbo, stock intercooler and had zzp exhaust. replaced intake manifold due to crack at pcv hose fitting after that, soon began my smoking problem. since then i have added a catch can because of the amount of oil i see in the turbo inlet on the pcv hose. replaced the hose still no fix. at this point, I dont know what to do, oil consumption is at 2 qt per week with average of 93 miles driven daily to and from work. i have checked the intake piping and very little oil residue there, no standing oil in intercooler.
when i drive in the morning, everything is fine until i have to get to interstate speeds. i shift at about 3300 rpm with the tune in "eco-mode"(cruise control on standby)
and about the time i get to 3rd gear, i get a surge loss of power for about 2 seconds (like someone is pulling the car back in a slingshot) and then a plume of blue smoke then it clears and feels like i was fired from a cannon. i accelerate and shift into 4th...now gray smoke(unburnt fuel?), not blue(oil smoke), not white(coolant smoke). at this point for the rest of my drive to or from work, any gear im in at about 2500 rpm lets blue smoke just flow. if i drive around 3300 rpm, no smoke no issue but I believe the constant smoke is when throttle blade is open past 48% until i hit WOT.
fast forward, stock turbo wastegate port on exhaust side of housing cracked...crap now i have to put the new turbo on.... 4 weeks and still smoking. car has 140k on it and i dont really wanna lose it.
Also, only CEL i have is a p0420 and I know that is due to the downpipe from zzp as it was mentioned in purchase that it would happen
anyone with some insight gladly appreciated.
I am new to the Forum however not new to this particular Sonic. I have a 2012 with the 1.4L and 6-SPD man. I purchased this car from my dad at around 80k miles. The time i purchased, the only modifications to the vehicle was the early introduction of the trifecta tune for a little bit of performance and a DDM Works CAI. since then I have done a few mods as this is my first Forced induction vehicle.
Before I list the mods let me just say. I believe I have exhausted all I have in searching and can rule out some of the items listed as possible causes.
My car leaves one hell of a smoke screen any time I drive it. in saying this, no its not a head gasket, the turbo is brand new 2x, so is the intercooler, so is the intake manifold and valve cover. currently per the live data connection i have, I am pulling 38psi boost and at any given time my timing advance is anywhere from 32-41 deg(pending my reader is correct)
these issues did not occur until I stepped into the world of bolt on performance both from ZZP and from BNR.
currently the build is as follows
zzp big wheel v3 turbo
zzp intercooler with larger throttle body
zzp turbo back exhaust no muffler or resonator
forge vented BPV
Catch can
DDM Works CAI
early on trifecta tune
When I first started doing mods, I noticed an incredible boost to power particularly with the bigger turbo. unfortunately this turbo exploded the impeller shaft and had to be warrantied. since then I have replaced the turbo along with the exhaust and intake, figuring that the previous one had too much surge pressure and thats what caused failure. so i figure more air in and out without restriction = less possibility of premature turbo failure.
before first turbo failed, the pressure relief valve on the valve cover failed and that was soon replaced. went back to stock turbo, stock intercooler and had zzp exhaust. replaced intake manifold due to crack at pcv hose fitting after that, soon began my smoking problem. since then i have added a catch can because of the amount of oil i see in the turbo inlet on the pcv hose. replaced the hose still no fix. at this point, I dont know what to do, oil consumption is at 2 qt per week with average of 93 miles driven daily to and from work. i have checked the intake piping and very little oil residue there, no standing oil in intercooler.
when i drive in the morning, everything is fine until i have to get to interstate speeds. i shift at about 3300 rpm with the tune in "eco-mode"(cruise control on standby)
and about the time i get to 3rd gear, i get a surge loss of power for about 2 seconds (like someone is pulling the car back in a slingshot) and then a plume of blue smoke then it clears and feels like i was fired from a cannon. i accelerate and shift into 4th...now gray smoke(unburnt fuel?), not blue(oil smoke), not white(coolant smoke). at this point for the rest of my drive to or from work, any gear im in at about 2500 rpm lets blue smoke just flow. if i drive around 3300 rpm, no smoke no issue but I believe the constant smoke is when throttle blade is open past 48% until i hit WOT.
fast forward, stock turbo wastegate port on exhaust side of housing cracked...crap now i have to put the new turbo on.... 4 weeks and still smoking. car has 140k on it and i dont really wanna lose it.
Also, only CEL i have is a p0420 and I know that is due to the downpipe from zzp as it was mentioned in purchase that it would happen
anyone with some insight gladly appreciated.
