Turbo leaking oil Topic is solved

[MDK]

So.. here there gang MDK here. So back on the R car I had it up on ramps this weekend trying to trace the oil leak. I checked oil cooler lines.. dry. I checked everything. The only place is where the pipes go into the intercooler.. it's actually wet on both sides. The guys at the dealership said to drill a small hole at the bottom right corner of the intercooler to make a weep. I decided against that. I know I can pull the turbo successfully but then what? Replace it with a used one? What to do.. 2004 S60 R 158,000

[SuperHerman]

I don't think you are looking at the "oil leak" correctly.

Oil in the intercooler tubes is normal, provided the oil amount is not excessive.

Worse case scenario your turbo is at the end of its life and the oil ring within the turbo is letting too much oil past it. Proper solution for this is to replace or rebuild the turbo. If the only problem with your turbo, in its current state, is a bit of leaking leave it for now. If the turbo is at the stage that it is smoking out the exhaust address the turbo problem now. If it is showing other signs of age - like noise, address it. Otherwise leave it alone until it starts to smoke. You could get another 100k on it.

The oil in the intercooler piping can be drained and the tubing cleaned. I found the same thing as you - oil collecting at the lowest point and a few small drips as the oil looks to find earth (the lowest point). Removal of the pipes showed a few ounces, at most, of oil collecting. After cleaning the as much as possible the drips ceased. Don't own the car anymore but for the 30-40k miles I did there was no problem.

On a few VWs and Audis with turbos I found the same thing - cleaned the system up and no issues.

The PCV system is designed because engines create vapor with oil in the vapor - normal (excessive not normal). I would think making a "weep hole" would compromise the entire intercooler system and the car would code - it is an air leak in a closed system. The gases, with oil vapor, are meant to recirculate and then be burned again or the oil is meant to condense and flow back down into the oil pan via the fire trap. The oil in the system does not always make it to this point and settles when the car is not on. The point of your leak is a low point in the flow - so oil collects there and it slowly adds up until there is enough to leak.

Personally I would clean it up as best you can and monitor your situation. You should also inspect your PCV system to make sure that it is flowing correctly and not the cause.

[erikv11]

Some oil in the IC piping is completely normal for ay turbo car. Clean it up, it should not be an issue for at least another 20k or so miles.

[abscate]

The P80s come with a weep hole preinstalled in the bottom of the intercooler. That helps blow out water and oil. Im surprised the P2s don't have one.

[MDK]

Thanks guys for taking the time to respond to my post. And thanks for all the info superherman. Now all I got to do is figure out how to clean out the intercooler.. eh?? Nobody's fault but mine, had to have a used R car. MDK

[erikv11]

You can just let it sit for a day and then pull and clean out the bottom hose. The oil collects naturally at the bottom of the IC due to gravity.