Volvo Repair: 99 1.9L turbo w/ smoke after downhill coast, sludge problem, coolant lines

Question
Dear James,
I've recently noticed a large amount of exaust smoke as soon as I accelerate right after a downhill slope.
I own a '99' V40 1.9lt turbo with over 100k. It runs just fine and there's no smoke at any other time. (Night time driving has been the best time to gauge the amount of smoke with the help of the headlights of any car behind me.)
What's happening?  ...I'm suspicious of the turbo charger, but only because this is the first turbo charged engine I've ever owned and worked on.
Many thanks in advance for any info!
Sincerely,
Pete Goncalves

Answer
Turbochargers are the most common cause of smoke.  If it is only starting to smoke then it is probably rebuildable.  You can take it out have take it to a specialist to replace the seals shafts, turbine/compressor wheels, etc.  If you wait to long you will have to buy a new turbocharger which is 900 dollars.  Check the oil quality in the engine.  Look under the oil cap and look for any sign of sludge.  The perfect engine would be silver but most engines aren't perfect.  If it is dark orange to black in color then you may have a serious sludge problem.  That would be the cause of turbo charger failure if thats what you find.  That car has the easiest turbo to replace (of all volvos).  It only takes me about 2 hours to remove and install one.  It would probably take you longer since you haven't done it before but it is fairly straight forward.  Remove the oil/coolant lines, remove the air/exhaust pipes and then it lifts right out.  You should hope that it is a turbocharger because you don't want to have internal engine problems.
James