oil leak, turbocharger

Post by **fields 100** » 04 Aug 2011, 18:02

Hi,
Just noticed today an oil leak at the bottom of the turbine's air side (looks like is has been leaking for some time although never oil on the garage floor).The air discharge pipe connection (top) not entirely dry, but does not appear to be the source of leak,and the clamp is tight. No cracks in the air pipe. Any suggestions on leak location? Thanks.

Post by **jblackburn** » 04 Aug 2011, 19:35

Look like this?

That's from a bad rear cam seal (under the cam position sensor to the rear of the distributor) or a leaky oil cap seal up top dripping down onto the turbo from above.

Post by **fields 100** » 04 Aug 2011, 20:45

jblackburn wrote:Look like this?

That's from a bad rear cam seal (under the cam position sensor to the rear of the distributor) or a leaky oil cap seal up top dripping down onto the turbo from above.

One picture is better than 1000 words.Looks exactly like that, exept yours appear to leak much more, I just have the drop hanging there. What oil cap you are mentioning about? Is it oil filler cap? Will check tomorrow the rear cam seal. Thanks.

Post by **jblackburn** » 04 Aug 2011, 22:07

Yes. The seal goes bad and leaks all over the valve cover which in turn gets full and leaks down onto the turbo/manifold. Just remove the spark plug cover and have a look.

Post by **fields 100** » 05 Aug 2011, 15:27

jblackburn wrote:Yes. The seal goes bad and leaks all over the valve cover which in turn gets full and leaks down onto the turbo/manifold. Just remove the spark plug cover and have a look.

Checked both. Filler cap is tight and the entire area around distributor is dry as a bone.I saw, Justin, another thread with your picture of accordion intake plastic hose and the bayonet 2 hose connector both being very oily. Mine are dry. Any other suggestions? Thanks.

Post by **jblackburn** » 05 Aug 2011, 17:07

That was from the PTC nipple there being clogged. Only other thing I can think of - assuming your oil return and intake lines are dry - is if your intercooler hoses are dripping oil down onto the face of the turbo. Do they look wet around the connections to the metal pipe that goes up and over the top of the engine?

Post by **fields 100** » 06 Aug 2011, 14:59

jblackburn wrote:That was from the PTC nipple there being clogged. Only other thing I can think of - assuming your oil return and intake lines are dry - is if your intercooler hoses are dripping oil down onto the face of the turbo. Do they look wet around the connections to the metal pipe that goes up and over the top of the engine?

That rubber coupling with 2 hose clamps is not wet, just greasy all around.Clamps are very tight though. Should probably replace the coupling for a good measure.Thanks again for the advise and time taken.

Post by **jblackburn** » 07 Aug 2011, 17:51

That's the PTC nipple. If it's greasy, I'm wondering if your PCV system or just that nipple itself is clogged a bit.

Any of this on a warmed-up engine at idle?

Post by **fields 100** » 07 Aug 2011, 20:36

jblackburn wrote:That's the PTC nipple. If it's greasy, I'm wondering if your PCV system or just that nipple itself is clogged a bit.

Any of this on a warmed-up engine at idle?

No, not that, I am talking about 2" rubber hose connector with 2 large hose clamps between black metal air pipe, which is going to the intercooler inlet, and turbo air discharge opening.No smoking or steaming from the dipstick tube.

Post by **fields 100** » 13 Sep 2011, 12:30

@ jblackburn
Just replaced that short hose at the top of turbo (discharge to the intercooler). The leak is gone, but I just read your note on the URO hoses in the other thread, you think I should have gone with an OEM? The URO one looks good and twice as thick as the original one. Thanks.