[brosidelong]

Recently sent a sample in to Blackstone and everything came back alright except for sodium. Lots of sodium. 216 ppm. There is no oil in my coolant reservoir and I don't think the pressure differential would allow coolant to seep into the block the other way around, but I'm no engineer. I know my turbos are completely shot - I get smoke every once in a while from under the hood on the turbo side every once in a while after running the car hard and I have REALLY high oil consumption. Is it possible for the seals on the turbos to be shot and have coolant get into the oil return line? Or am I just deluding myself? I really don't want the head gasket to have gone bad. The car has never overheated while in my possession. N54 with 118k miles.

[MightyMouseTech]

Well, you do live in Salt Lake.

[stanlalee]

Smoke occasionally on the turbo side near the rear is usually a valve cover leak. Turbos leak inside the turbine housing and out the exhaust. Large oil consumption on the other hand is usually indicative of a more severe leak.

[sloweste9x]

Originally Posted by brosidelong

Recently sent a sample in to Blackstone and everything came back alright except for sodium. Lots of sodium. 216 ppm. There is no oil in my coolant reservoir and I don't think the pressure differential would allow coolant to seep into the block the other way around, but I'm no engineer. I know my turbos are completely shot - I get smoke every once in a while from under the hood on the turbo side every once in a while after running the car hard and I have REALLY high oil consumption. Is it possible for the seals on the turbos to be shot and have coolant get into the oil return line? Or am I just deluding myself? I really don't want the head gasket to have gone bad. The car has never overheated while in my possession. N54 with 118k miles.

Could also be your oil filter housing gasket, my oil and coolant were completely mixed on my car. Literally like 50/50 and I was totally worried. Turned out just to be the OFHG, check your coolant tank and look for oil and pull the plugs to check if the cylinders are shiny, then check OFHG

[brosidelong]

Originally Posted by mb21111

Could also be your oil filter housing gasket, my oil and coolant were completely mixed on my car. Literally like 50/50 and I was totally worried. Turned out just to be the OFHG, check your coolant tank and look for oil and pull the plugs to check if the cylinders are shiny, then check OFHG

I had my ofhg and my valve cover totally worked over by a mechanic less than a year ago and that was the last time the oil was changed. Could it possibly be left over residue from when the gasket was leaking?

[MightyMouseTech]

I would think sodium (salt) would be more from driving in the winter with an aftermarket open air filter.

[sloweste9x]

Originally Posted by brosidelong

I had my ofhg and my valve cover totally worked over by a mechanic less than a year ago and that was the last time the oil was changed. Could it possibly be left over residue from when the gasket was leaking?

Possibly, did your mechanic clean out the system or did he just change the gasket? I had to flush out my coolant and oil systems many many times because they were both so badly mixed.

[brosidelong]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

I would think sodium (salt) would be more from driving in the winter with an aftermarket open air filter.

Didn't know that was a thing. I did drive it quite a bit last winter

[brosidelong]

Originally Posted by mb21111

Possibly, did your mechanic clean out the system or did he just change the gasket? I had to flush out my coolant and oil systems many many times because they were both so badly mixed.

I don't think he flushed either one. Could be wrong. Just changed the oil once as far as I know

[Cory S]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Well, you do live in Salt Lake.