Yeah I think it might be just a coincidence, so I think I might need a new starter as well because it too about 15 tries before it would start to turn over.

I'll get Toyota to do a leak down and pressure test tomorrow.

So I take it we're back to thinking its the rings are the problem?

If the turbo has been ruled out, and the amount of oil we are talking, then yes, I think it is the rings.

Well the turbo creates boost how well its working remains to be seen, is there any guides on how to get at that intercooler so I can see if there is any oil in it? Its pretty far down there and it looks like I'd have to take off the front fascia to get a good look at it.

The intercooler is going to be so mucked up on the inside that you're going to have to clean the hell out of it and put it back together and drive it a bit before you can tell.

If every time you throttle it hard you get white smoke. That's a good indicator that it could be the rings. But it's also not exact as it could be a few things.

I've got no problem with cleaning it, if anything I'd welcome it because I'm getting shit mileage right now and anything that helps is worth it.

Just tell me how to get at the thing :dance:

Ihatehacks

He wrote up a thread a long time ago about the entire process.

I'm an n/a. So I can't just go out and have a look see. But if you can track down the thread. He explains it quite well.

He said it was a huge mess and not real easy to do. Cleaning it should help you alot.

Aside from that you should use your tsrm. If you don't have one let me know and I'll send you a link.

You mean this thing? Does it show how to get at the intercooler or how to clean it?

MK3 TSRM On-Line

I tried searching his name and nothing about the intercooler came up, and I tried searching intercooler but there are hundreds of threads. What should I search for to find it?

Jeez it was so long ago.

I'll look and see if i can remember which 1 it is.

The tsrm should show you what you need to know.

Alright shes at toyota getting a compression test done, should get the results back tomorrow. They didn't have the tools to do a leak down test unfortunately.

Any luck finding that thread supramacist?

Thanks for the link Bill, unfortunately it doesn't show how to get the intercooler off like I had hoped.

Toyota said that the compression test results came back "good", my grandfather got the message not me. They better damn well have written down the numbers because good is only good for certain cars.

Also Toyota found a "rotten" hose which they think is causing alot of the problems as well; again unfortunately my grandfather got the message so I don't know which hose and he ordered a new one without telling me. Stupid oem parts :frown: there goes 85 bucks plus labor because I was gonna upgrade all the hoses in a couple weeks anyway.

I'm sorry if this sounds arrogant or condesending, but it really doesn't take a lot to figure this one out. The air lines are connected to the intercooler with rubber boots, just like the air hose going to the throttle body. And, there are only a few nuts holding the intercooler to the car. Remove the lower splash shield, and the rest should be apparent.

Also, on page TC-6 of the TSRM, you'll find the same advise we offered to rule out the turbocharger for the oil leak. Has this been done? The directions are right there.

Thats what I needed to know, that I should go from the bottom and not try to take it through the top. I was trying to avoid going through the bottom because the dumass who had it before me messed up the splashguard pretty good and its held on with zap straps and I didn't want to mess with it unless I knew for sure I could get it from the bottom.