Alas I cracked the soft alloy oil sump in the Lake District last week without realising. Driving up Kirkstone Pass all power suddenly went and the red oil light came on! I freewheeled a mile in idle and then stopped and got AAed home as there was no oil left! Yesterday with a new sump and oil it ran around for 20mins seemingly with good power but today there is plenty of smoke from the exhaust and v poor power (trundled home at 30mph max).

I guess the turbo is the first thing to suffer with low oil level/pressure? Could a broken one of these cause lots of smoke and the rest of the engine be OK?

I was so happy I'd fixed it yesterday and so sad it's broken again!

Welcome

It could be just the turbo if the engine is not knocking...

The turbo could well have been starved of oil and this could have knackered it. I think if this happened and the seals are shot then oil will get into the air/exhaust and lead to the smoke. I don't think the turbo has any bearings, it floats on the oil being circulated but it could damage the shaft and seals, you could see if there is an excessive amount of play on the shaft - if you can get at the turbo that is!

If a lot of oil is getting is getting through into the air intake I think you can get big problems if it starts buring the oil and overrevs, best get it looked at ASAP.

What colour is the smoke? Turbo smoke is usually white, smelly, and very dense.

I'd suggest getting a compression test on the cylinders and if this is all ok getting hold of a second hand turbo from somewhere and having it reconditioned.

Running for 1 mile on idle with no oil pressure is really not going to have helped the top end of the engine

I'd say a turbo fault as it's the last part to get oil and once it looses oil pressure it'll soon break, and then when you give it full oil pressure again this causes it to blow which is why you had power for a while. If the engine ran fine after the sump was fitted with no real noise from the cam or crank i'd say it would be safe to just do the turbo. These engines do seem to be rather strong. Hope it turns out ok.

Thanks very much for all the replies and info.

The engine does rattle a bit now and there is LOTS of smoke which smells v unpleasant even just turning the car around in a cul de sac.

I did see a secondhand 1.9TDI 110hp engine from a 2003 Leon for sale which I assume would fit as a direct replacement. Has anyone removed/replaced one of these engines? I see from Haynes you lower these ones out and assume you remove bumper/radiator and could get it out of the front or do you have to swap it onto a stand under the car to wheel it out? If I can get this engine for £300 and swap it with my Dad's help I think it will be cheaper than any repair even if it's just the turbo (which I don't think it is now!)

yeah, £300 would be a good price if it's all good.

I'd have a chat with Lummox on here as he recently did one of these too.