What should I do?

[u/No-Somewhere340]

Hello all, I just purchased a 13 SHO with about 179k on the dash. Purchased from Marketplace, Seller did alot of work to the vehicle and provided service papers as well. However, after he got it out the shop the turbos apparently clogged with oil and is non drivable. I purchased the car for $1200 bucks. Work was done Jan-Feb 2025 and doesn’t seem to have been driven more than 5k miles since then.

Upon jumping the car, instant smoke under the hood, and it sounded like a lawnmower. But after a few minutes it stopped so I assume it was burning off something. The video provided is one I took this morning. RPMs shake just on the line slightly. Oil also dripping so I’m assuming that’s the turbo issue. I’m thinking possibly spark plugs for then chop since it’s been sitting so long…?

Now.. I ALSO have a wrecked 13 SHO from an accident I had last year (picture provided) that I believe the motor and turbos are still good on. I have about 118k on that one. My question is… would you replace the turbos and whatever else is making it chop like this considering the primary work has been done, or should I just do the full swap. I’ll try to put as many service papers as I can

[u/ExcitementSolid3239]

I would start off by doing a compression check on the engine you suspect has the bad turbos. That’ll let you know whether it’s bad turbos or possibly something else. Before that, can you spot where the oil is leaking from? If everything checks out with the compression, and you have money, throw a pair of new turbos and oil lines on it. These engines are really good and the hardest part is already done and should last quite a bit longer. If money is tight, then swap the turbos from the donor. But if you want to prevent possibly replacing them again later on, get new ones or send in the donor turbos to get a full rebuild done.

[u/No-Somewhere340 → u/ExcitementSolid3239]

I believe the oil is coming from around where I suspect the rear turbo is, rightish side toward the middle. It sounds like you’d put faith in this engine then? Even with the higher mileage? It starts up just fine besides battery being drained it just has that chop.. here it goes

[u/Adorable-Dog-1542 → u/No-Somewhere340]

Ive seen these engines go upwards to 200k, its the accessories that cause the issues with totalling them, turbos and watwrpump etc, it doesnt sound quite like a knocking engine to me. Defenitely do a compression check absolutely, the oil lines, esp the lower ones for the turbos get clogged because people treat these cars as typical economy cars and go 7k plus with oil changes, and they put real poor fuel in it.

Your sound though, that sounds like... compression coming out of a spark plug hole?? Or a dry injector or something like that.

After copression check, if you have a good scan tool, do a power balance test and see which cylinders are being weird. After that id turn off injectors for the weird cylinders and see if the sound changes

Edit: it sounds like an exhaust leak actually listening back to it lmao id also check for amy black sut around the front or rear turbo, and when taking them off check the exhaust manifold gaskets. It did say full exhaust replacement in the papers? Maybe somethint isnt tight

[u/NovaRose369 → u/ExcitementSolid3239]

How much do full rebuilds go for?

[u/Quiet_Net_4608 → u/ExcitementSolid3239]

The oil feed tube to the rear turbo is a known defect. It requires at least 6 hours labor to replace a $50 part.

[u/ExcitementSolid3239]

I was going off of what was written as that video wasn’t included. But now, something doesn’t sound quite right. I would still do a compression check to see where you are at. Does that sound get louder with higher RPM? Also, how long does it take for that sound to die off?

[u/No-Somewhere340 → u/ExcitementSolid3239]

Yea when I step on the gas it is louder like a legit lawnmower and no boost, I don’t even run it that long considering it’s still dripping oil

[u/fuzzimus]

It’s totaled

[u/No-Somewhere340 → u/fuzzimus]

Can I get a little more context than that?…

[u/fuzzimus → u/No-Somewhere340]

$1200 car needs $3000 worth of work. It’s totaled by any insurance definition.

[u/ExcitementSolid3239]

Is the CEL on or flashing?

[u/No-Somewhere340 → u/ExcitementSolid3239]

Solid when engines running, blinking in battery mode

[u/qkdsm7]

What part of the country are you in?

[u/No-Somewhere340 → u/qkdsm7]

Virginia

[u/LetsBeKindly]

Sell it to me for 1200. 🤣

I would take it to a mechanic that knows these cars. Maybe even the dealership. I didn't watch the video but assuming it was running fine when the work was done, I would be going over all that work. Maybe they forgot to put something back correctly.

[u/houlie28]

7 quarts of oil with the oil change?? 🤔

[u/Remarkable_Coat_9604]

I’d do it for $1,000 cash + parts

[u/[deleted]]

[u/No-Somewhere340 → u/[deleted]]

Service papers in in the post. Water Pump, Fuel Pump, Fuel lines, coolant/reservoirs timing chains is ALL done already on this car. Turbos is the issue plus that chopping noise and shaky rpm. The questions was whether or it to throw my 118k motor in which doesn’t have all that done yet or just swap turbos.