Oil leak from turbo

T64me · Post by **T64me** » 27 Jun 2016, 09:31

Hi Made in Japan. The oil leak appears to be coming from higher/around the turbo - not from the area where the drain tube is inserted. My son changed the turbo gasket (the green one for the return line) and said it looked dry, so he was not convinced this was the issue. He also changed the oring. This appears to be an issue with the inlet side.

I've found a lot of information on the return gasket but not much on the inlet area. Any info on leaks from the inlet area would be greatly appreciated!

101 · Post by **101** » 27 Jun 2016, 11:32

Turbo oil inlet tube leaks are fairly rare.

The turbo oil inlet tube is metal tube that runs across the back of the engine from the #1 side and below the exhaust manifold. It is sealed on both sides with a banjo bolt and crush washers. The tube can fracture or the banjo bolts can work themselves loose, but again, that is rare. It's tough to get to on the back of the block, and I've never attempted a replacement on an AWD car.

A much more likely spot to leak is the rear cam seal. I'd pull the cam position sensor and take a look at that seal before I'd start messing with the turbo oil inlet line.

T64me · Post by **T64me** » 27 Jun 2016, 23:00

I took some pictures tonight.

Here is one of the turbo:

Here is one of the cam seal closest to the firewall:

Here is the underside of the car (soaked with oil):

And another behind the subframe (also soaked):

I did not check the rear cam seal under the distributor as I am not sure how to get to it (suggestions?). Is it possible that is leaking enough to cause this amount of oil soak?

I did look at the top of the turbo and that seems dry so it does not appear to be a leak at the oil inlet.

Thanks in advance for constructive input!

Erik

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 28 Jun 2016, 08:28

Second vote for rear cam seal...it's easy to see from the top too with good lighting

T64me · Post by **T64me** » 28 Jun 2016, 09:54

Thanks for the input. I'll take another look tonight. The cam seal I showed above (the one behind the cam sensor) appeared to be bone dry. It may look like there is oil there, but that is a shadow/not oil.

101 · Post by **101** » 28 Jun 2016, 10:46

What's the condition of your PCV system? You'd be surprised where these engines can seep oil from.

I chased a very similar oil leak on mine for a very long time. Your pictures look exactly like the bottom of my car once did. Once I redid the PCV system and mod to upgrade to the larger diameter hoses, all the leaks stopped.

Post by **tryingbe** » 28 Jun 2016, 13:47

Change the cam seal, clean up, and see if there is more leak.

T64me · Post by **T64me** » 29 Jun 2016, 16:00

Hi guys. I worked on the 850R again yesterday. Here's what I found.

First I did a PCV test using a latex glove on the oil filler. The glove slowly filled with air, but not enough to stand. It just filled and laid flat. When the PCV system is clogged doesn't it create enough pressure to fill the glove so it will stand up straight?

I looked at the area under the distributor. It looks dry:

In general the area under the rear cam seals looks dry:

But check this out - look at the top of the turbo. This pic was taken looking directly down on top of it. Notice how the red arrow I drew is pointing to an area that is wet with oil.

Not sure what that black hose is, but it looks like it could be leaking from there.

Any help would be appreciated. Trying to make this really nice 850R!

Erik

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 29 Jun 2016, 20:10

On the glove test, it should not inflate- it should suck in if the PCV is working right.

Post by **tryingbe** » 29 Jun 2016, 22:53

That's the PCV pipe. Turbo is probably fine.

I found with the older engines, even with new PCV parts, it is not enough. The stock PCV pipe from the separator to the intake is severely undersized for an older engine. Also, the hole at the heating element at the PTC valve is tiny, like smaller than 1/4 inch tiny. Both will restrict the flow of the crankcase gases.

To address those issues, here is what I do. Get the below parts.

A 3ft 5/8 oil compatible hose. Do not use silicone hose, as it will "sweat" oil. Do not use heatercore hose, it is not rated for oil, it will become soft and you'll have to replace it sooner. This is what I use. Buy 3, as it is sold by the foot.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/291442927889?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

Two 3/4 elbows from your local hardware store. (5/8 will be the wrong size!)

A 3 feet 3/16 vacuum hose to replace the small hose from the intake manifold to the PTC valve. I prefer silicone hose for this.

Optional, get 6 of this. I like their clamps.
https://www.ipdusa.com/products/4768/10 ... 12mm-width

Optional, wireloom to protect the hose.

Take a unibit and drill out the PTC valve holes to as big as you feel comfortable. I think I drilled mine out to about 1/2 inch.

Remove the intake manifold and replace that stock PCV hose, I cut a short hose and then use a 90 degree elbow, than a long hose, then another 90 degree elbow then another hose to the PTC valve. Replace the vacuum hose to the intake manifold to the PTC valve with the new one. Then reinstall the intake manifold.

All the crankcase gas have to go thru that tiny PTC hole!!!

Installed on car

Oil leak from turbo

Re: Oil leak from turbo