Turbo, RTV, Block off plates, and advice...

[vex]

Originally Posted by WE3RX7

What color is the smoke on startup?

Coolant seal is a possibility, although, your engine temps should rise if thats the case (unless the car dies before it gets a chance to). Have you had issues w/ coolant level in the radiator lately?

My level in the radiator drops on occasion, but it can be accounted for by the crappy universal recirculation tank I installed to get me through this as it tends to be a little leaky. I have noticed more condensation build up in the filling neck of the oil and in the ventilation hose... The oil itself still looks good (golden brown/black not milk chocolate). Also the fluid in the radiator is pretty clear but there is some strange contaminates that seem to be sticking towards the fill port (black in color). The color on start up is white (at least from what I can tell). It looks similar to regular exhaust but hangs around longer in a bigger plum.

On a side note, I have details on when the engine was installed and by who. The engine was installed by Wayne's Imported Automotive and as far as I can tell was completed on Aug. 6th 1997. They list an entire engine as a part for a cost of 2150 and has the part number of E008-99-008R which I think means it's a re manufactured engine, maybe rebuilt, but I doubt that shop knew about it.

As a side note to discussion is 1997 late enough in the game to have the newer 1 piece Apex seals in it or would it contain the 2 piece Apex seals, or is there just no way to tell until I look at them through the exhaust ports/ break open the engine?