Rebuilt turbo, steaming exhaust. Help
 

I rebuilt a 3076 gtx turbo. Its a roller bearing water cooled turbo. Does the water jacket have a seal to separate the water from the exhaust.
The engine is newly rebuilt as well. I also wonder if one of the heads is cracked. The engine was pulled and rebuilt due to overheating and blown head gasket. My thoughts are the head gasket didnt seal or the head is cracked. So, if its a turbo seal, that will be the easiest fix. Thanks for your help.

The water that goes through the turbo is its own cavity. I would have thought they would have caught a crack when rebuilding. I would look other places first.

Is this vapor coming out of the exhaust or around the engine?



The turbine housing will burn off any lubey substance that might be on it during the first heat cycle.



I don't think water passes through the rotating assembly of a ball bearing turbo, but oil might (on journal bearing turbos at least). There absolutely are shaft seals to prevent any significant seepage into the airflow paths.



Significant smoking/vapor around the engine or out the exhaust after maybe the first 20 minutes or so would be concerning.