97 Volvo 850 - Small Leak in Turbo, what to do?

acrocentric · Post by **acrocentric** » 08 Jul 2007, 16:20

Hi all,

First time posting on this site, I love it! So much info that has saved me time and $$. . . I have been a Volvo driver for 7 years or so, recently trading in my 92 940 for a 97 850 GLT, which I adore (I didn't think I'd be able to get over the emotional void left when the old 940 finally had to go, but this guy sure did the trick.).

Anyway, I bought the 850 from a very reputable mechanic, the same guy who had been servicing my last Volvo. I recently brought it in to get the heater core replaced and also mentioned to him that I had been getting a slight smell of burning oil sometimes after turning the car off, and also seemed to be topping off the oil a bit more frequently than normal. He took a look while the car was on the lift and noticed that a small bead of oil would form directly on the underside of the turbo. He advised that I search the internet for a used one, as new ones can be quite pricey, and that he'd go easy on me in regards to the cost of the installation.

First off - how urgent is this turbo replacement? I have been driving with the problem for most likely the last 5k miles and do not think there has been any noticeable change in performance, but obviously I don't want to cause any other long term damage if it all possible.

Also, does anyone have a good recommendation for where I could find a used turbocharger? Several of the sites I've been viewing sell plenty of Volvo parts, but no turbos.

Any advice in regards to the situation is greatly appreciated, and again, thanks for a great site!

Cheers!

acrocentric · Post by **acrocentric** » 08 Jul 2007, 16:24

Also - any ideas on whether turbos from earlier 850's are interchangeable with the '97??

MadeInAmerica · Post by **MadeInAmerica** » 08 Jul 2007, 18:15

Forget it, a small bead of oil under the turbo is normal they all get it. What hes telling you about this small bead is wrong. So watch out for this guy you are dealing with.

Your question about the bead of oil on the turbo has been asked a ton of times on Volvospeed.com.

I would look under your car on the bottom of the engine and see how much oil is down there. I suspect you have a rear main seal leak(RMS) or the turbo return line is leaking.

acrocentric · Post by **acrocentric** » 08 Jul 2007, 21:08

Thanks for the heads-up, I will check over on volvospeed for some more advice. I doubt that this could be a Rear Seal leak as I just had that fixed right before I started driving the car.

Also - I have known this mechanic for several years and would highly doubt he was trying in any way to scam me here (he actually offered to install the turbo for me for little to nothing if I could find a used one on the internet, and gave me the name of a reputable place to look). But I'll go in and talk to him about this - are you suggesting that the bead of oil is coming from a different place (like the RMS or return line), or that the small leak is very common and the oil that I'm losing is coming from a different place entirely?

Thanks for any advice!

MadeInAmerica · Post by **MadeInAmerica** » 08 Jul 2007, 21:52

acrocentric wrote:Thanks for the heads-up, I will check over on volvospeed for some more advice. I doubt that this could be a Rear Seal leak as I just had that fixed right before I started driving the car.

Also - I have known this mechanic for several years and would highly doubt he was trying in any way to scam me here (he actually offered to install the turbo for me for little to nothing if I could find a used one on the internet, and gave me the name of a reputable place to look). But I'll go in and talk to him about this - are you suggesting that the bead of oil is coming from a different place (like the RMS or return line), or that the small leak is very common and the oil that I'm losing is coming from a different place entirely?

Thanks for any advice!

Im saying the small bead of oil your talking about on the bottom of the turbo is normal to these cars. I have it on mine. If you are losing alot of oil its from elsewhere. Notice you use the word "small" and "bead", thats exactly what my car has and many many other people.

Have you looked under your car yourself to see whats going on , such as with oil leaks? If you fixed the RMS leak and never completely changed out your PCV system(need to take intake manifold off to do it) its possible its leaking again.

acrocentric · Post by **acrocentric** » 09 Jul 2007, 05:48

I'm going to have a look at this myself this week to try to see what the problem might be.

Both the rear main seal and PCV were replaced in March, right before I bought the car, so I'd like to hope that neither of them are the source of the oil leak. I will check the turbo return line for leaks though - and I will also get a better idea of how much the turbo itself is leaking oil. It's possible that what was described as a 'bead of oil forming' has different meanings between the mechanic and us!

Finally, on the 850's, which I have heard have been known to burn a bit more oil than other models, what is a reasonable amount of oil to be losing? I could probably add a quart of oil every 1,000 miles.

Thanks again.

Post by **robert213** » 09 Jul 2007, 09:41

I would ask your trusted mechanic for several years to remove the plastic tube between air filter box and turbo inlet. Examine inside of the turbo inlet for puddles of oil. Use your thumb and forefinger to check turbo shaft for sloppiness -- about 1/16" - 1/8" is normal. It wouldn't hurt to check tube between turbo and intercooler for thick film of oil.

If needed, have your mechanic send your turbo (Mitsubishi TD04HL-13G) to be professionally rebuilt by...

http://www.turbochargers.com/
http://www.forcedperformance.net/

Purchase new turbo oil feed line and pour oil in oil feed hole to help prime it.

Trilarry · Post by **Trilarry** » 09 Jul 2007, 11:17

Acrocentric I understand where you are coming from when you said this is a mechanic you have use for many years. It is just very suprising to have a honest mechanic, the guy sounds like he's knows his Volvo's. I would hold onto him.

I'm experiencing the same issues with oil lost, after checking my compression I have traced it to the turbo, same burning smell in the cab. I have changed my PCV and I have no leaks except the little dribble "everyone has on the Turbo".

The diagnosis that Robert213 gave is the best common sense troubleshooting I've seen on this issue. I also was looking for a company to possible rebuild my T5 Turbo, Thanks Robert213.

If you need a breakdown of the unit itself "Carvolvo" sent me one. I'm sure he can do the same for you. Welcome to the site!
Tri

MadeInAmerica · Post by **MadeInAmerica** » 09 Jul 2007, 12:00

Acrocentric:
How many miles you got on that turbo anyhow? I dont see you posting this.
That would be a huge consideration also about whats going on and how well kept up the car was. I can tell you that my car has 162K on it and uses almost no oil(its the best car I ever had for not using oil). Its had oil changes every 3-5K and new air filter every 10K.

acrocentric · Post by **acrocentric** » 10 Jul 2007, 06:12

I just hit 142,000 miles on the car; bought it at 134k so I don't have a great idea of the history of the vehicle.

I took a look under the car yesterday, and it was really leaking oil from somewhere around the turbo unit - not a 'small bead' as I had originally stated, but a pretty constant drip - drip - double drip - drip . . . you get the idea.

I'm currently looking into purchasing a used or rebuilt turbo for the vehicle, although before I actually order it, I'd like to reconfirm with my mechanic that it is indeed a leaky turbo unit that is causing the problem. He said that he had fixed a gasket and an O-ring near the turbo - I assume that this is to check for the common oil line return line that is often mentioned here? Since this didn't fix the leak, he pinned the problem on the turbo itself.

My new problem is finding a working turbo unit on a broke grad student salary. . .