Oil leak from turbo

Post by **Jack Rock** » 12 Nov 2010, 18:12

My 98 v70's minor oil leak has sprung into a gusher. It seems to be coming from the turbo but I'm unsure where. From what I've read there are two spots; oil in or oil out lines. I can't see either of these lines from above (but I'm not sure what they look like) and it looks like quite a reach from below. Is this a do it yourself kind of fix? What parts would I need, the lines or just gaskets or o-rings? Here's some photos...

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 12 Nov 2010, 18:48

The best thing to do in this situation is to first clean all the oil off the turbo and surrounding area. Then, run the car and see if you can see any oil dripping. 9 times out of 10, the oil return line (which is a hard metal tube that runs out the bottom of the turbo) is the source of the leak. The oil inlet line is a hard, metal line that attaches to the top of the turbo, between the compressor and exhaust turbines.

Check those areas out first and then go from there.

Post by **jblackburn** » 12 Nov 2010, 18:50

There's the oil return line, that big fat one. That's the most common one to leak, or the rear cam seal from above, behind the dist. cap can make that happen too.

You'll need to clean it off before you can actually see what's coming from where, though.

This is exactly why I hate the turbo models. They leak oil EVERYWHERE.

Post by **Jack Rock** » 12 Nov 2010, 19:07

Thanks, I'll do some cleaning and check into those tomorrow. If it is the turbo return line, is it usually just the gasket that gives up and what's the best way to access it bearing in mind it's an AWD?

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 12 Nov 2010, 20:02

Yes, if it is the oil return line, it is just a gasket.

Even though it is an AWD, it is still easiest to access it from below the car, under the turbo.

raquette · Post by **raquette** » 13 Nov 2010, 07:23

I've got the same situation on a 1998 v70 GLT, a small leak has turned into a qt loss per 750 miles. pics look the same as mine.

let us all know what you find out, as I will be doing the same. thanks

STREETFIGHTER50 · Post by **STREETFIGHTER50** » 14 Nov 2010, 15:12

Leaky turbo. Would this cause more smoke out if the exhaust?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 14 Nov 2010, 18:34

Yes- I have an issue with mine right now- it isn't the turbo return lines (like those pictures above indicate)...mine, I think is leaking internally. After you stop the car and let it sit awhile check to see if the area where the turbo connects to the exhaust is wet from oil- a good indication. So, in my case, I can live with this for awhile longer but eventually, I'm in for a turbo rebuild or a replacement. I burn a bit of oil when I start the car in the morning and then after that it seems to be fine until after it sits awhile again. The turbo still spins fine and gets good PSI, but seems that the impeller inside is loose from wear- probably when I went back to regular oil (off the synthetic) right after the top of my engine was rebuilt due to a timing belt skipping...anyway, long story, but YES, a leaking turbo will cause more smoke in the exhaust, especially at start-up.

Post by **Jack Rock** » 01 Dec 2010, 20:22

Well, I finally took a stab at this today. When I posted this topic I had only snapped a few photos to get an idea what I'm up against. Upon a closer looks it seems as though the leak is coming from the oil inlet line where it connects to the rubber line. The rubber has become very gummy as you can see in the first photo right below to the O2 sensor. As it turns out, it is very hard to reach with the transfer case in the way - I can barely get one hand up there. I'm going to take the steel line off from above this weekend. What is the fitting called that attaches to the turbo and is it reuseable? I plan to take the line off the turbo and the rubber engine side in one piece, then replace the rubber portion with it out of the car.

Post by **LamboSE5** » 10 Dec 2010, 15:22

I'm trying to figure something out.
I bought two oil lines (oil cooler lines), inlet and outlet/upper and lower, because I was told my "Turbo oil lines" need replacing. Well today I was told I bought the wrong lines.

What other lines/hoses are related to the Turbo - and transport oil to and/or from it? Is this "oil return line" different from what I bought?