Turbo water lines...how important are they?

I've been trying to diagnose a coolant leak that happens under boost and is causing overheating issues, and more recently started smoking (out of the exhuast). It only happens when flooring it, driving around the city is fine (well it smokes but no overheating). I've personally done a radiator pressure test and compression test and can't figure it out. I've also taken it to a shop and to the dealer...neither where much help.

It started after the install of some 19t turbos (and supporting mods but they shouldn't have any effect on this issue...the supporting mods that is). So I'm wondering if it's possible that one of the turbos is leaking water into the exhuast causing the smoke when it is boosting. So I was thinking about trying to run without the water lines at least temporarily to see if that fixes my issue. I've never run without water cooling before though and wondered what impact it might have? and maybe if there is a how to somewhere.

Unless there's a crack in the CHRA, there shouldn't be any water getting into anywhere that can get in the exhaust.

Its said it should not be done, but I've heard its not completely necessary. I ran without in my old DD for years and never had a problem. Of course mine came that way otherwise I would have just left it.

Yeah i have water lines going to my td05's but they are not necessary...

Well these are td04's....I think I'll try it just to see if it stops the smoking. At least then I'll know one of the turbos CHRA's are bad.

TD04's can run with no water as well. It mostly just means oil can coke easier in the turbos, and you need to do the idle cool down when you park.

Yeah, that's kinda what I figured. I'll make sure to let it idle, it'll just be for a short while anyways. Thanks for the responses guys.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DocWalt

TD04's can run with no water as well. It mostly just means oil can coke easier in the turbos, and you need to do the idle cool down when you park.

---

Ill be sure to remember this although I have had a turbo timer for a long time. I think I am going to have an issue with the coolant line on my front turbo and there is no proper way to keep the rubber off the manifold and I am almost certain this rubber will end up melting, giving me a leak.

Do you have after market manifolds or something? I think I would try another solution (maybe stainless steel lines) before running without water cooling. I only plan on doing it for a couple days to see if it fixes my smoking issue, and then going back to water cooling.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SilverJester

Do you have after market manifolds or something? I think I would try another solution (maybe stainless steel lines) before running without water cooling. I only plan on doing it for a couple days to see if it fixes my smoking issue, and then going back to water cooling.

---

No, stock manifold, just different turbos 13t that isnt fully modded like it should be for this car. The WRX has the coolant feed and return banjo bolts on the same side, plugging both holes on the other side. I have one line that goes straight up, into the arm of the wastegate, which is why its moved over onto the manifold, and then a line straight down.

I ran a set of 16g's with no water lines. Those turbos had 30k miles on them and still looked new, no shaft play, no issues. So imo I dont think they are necessary as long as you let it cool down first. I always try to take it easy the last mile or so near my house to let them start cooling off early as I figure if I'm boosting its just making them hotter.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DocWalt

TD04's can run with no water as well. It mostly just means oil can coke easier in the turbos, and you need to do the idle cool down when you park.

---

My understanding as well. I have seen many coolant-less setups work great. Still debating on lines for my Evo3 setup, since I have a turbo timer, they shouldn't be needed.

Just cool down your car sufficiently before shutting it off, and you'll be fine for a few trips. Few months. Few years. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jba3

My understanding as well. I have seen many coolant-less setups work great. Still debating on lines for my Evo3 setup, since I have a turbo timer, they shouldn't be needed.

Just cool down your car sufficiently before shutting it off, and you'll be fine for a few trips. Few months. Few years. :)

---

Ok, done. I am going to go unhook my front turbo's coolant lines right now. I just know that one is going to end up giving me trouble and will leak. I guess it is time to actually use my turbo timer :P

I don`t run coolant lines either (WRX CHRA`s which never even had drillings for them..), way I see it is there`s no way I`ll be at sustained high boost within a mile of my house so they`ll always be cool when parked up. If you drive your car flat out right up to your house and then park it you may have bother.

I always run Slikolene Fully Synthetic oil and it`s shown no adverse effects..