LC200 2008

[adilpekee]

Hi all,

I’ve been lurking for a while and finally need some advice from the brains trust.

Vehicle is a 2008 LC200, currently around 300,000 km. At 300k the engine was fully overhauled. Work done included:

• New pistons and rings
• New bearings
• New oil pump
• New timing chains
• New lash adjusters

Four cylinders were sleeved back to standard size (shop recommendation), with the remaining cylinders left untouched as they showed no damage.

After the rebuild, the vehicle started easily and ran very well. Performance has been strong — it accelerates hard and comfortably reaches 160–180 km/h.

I have a ProVent catch can installed (fitted around 260,000 km). Lately I’m seeing significant oil collection, roughly 100 ml per 1,000 km. The can is drained regularly, but I haven’t replaced the filter element — I’ve only cleaned it with fuel and compressed air.

Turbo issues
Since the rebuild, I’ve had repeated turbo failures on the passenger side:

1. First rebuild: seals replaced — failed within a month
2. Second rebuild: bearings replaced — failed within a month
3. Installed a cheap Chinese turbo as a test (before spending on genuine) — failed within a week

Oil has been found inside the exhaust, and there’s often oil residue around the turbo area, particularly near the oil return pipe. All turbo swaps were done with the engine still in the vehicle.

Interestingly, when each turbo was first installed, there was very little visible smoke at the oil filler cap — however, once the oil cap was tightened, it required pliers to remove, suggesting crankcase pressure.

The vehicle ran exceptionally smoothly with the Chinese turbo initially, then suddenly failed.

The car is currently parked.
Questions
Before spending money on a brand-new genuine turbo, I’d like to rule out any underlying issue:

1. What could be causing excessive blow-by / pressure at the oil cap?
2. Why do the turbos keep failing — poor rebuilds, or something else?
3. Could crankcase pressure be pushing oil through the turbo and killing it?
4. Why would oil be present around small hoses and clamps near the turbo?
5. Why did the Chinese turbo run perfectly at first, then fail so quickly?

One other point worth mentioning: all these issues appeared after the ProVent was installed.

Any insights, diagnostic steps, or things to check before replacing another turbo would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

Hi, have you had a compression test or leak down test performed?

 

[Sandroad]

I assume diesel engine. Does it have a PCV valve and could it be clogged?

 

[adilpekee]

I assume diesel engine. Does it have a PCV valve and could it be clogged?

They don’t come with a pcv in this diesels apparently. It has an aftermarket catch can which I removed the filter to make it through. But the main experiment would be testing the new turbo.

 

[TheComedian]

The 100ml /1000km sounds kinda like my 4.5L TD with its 355kkm. I change the oil of the old lady every 8000km and normally around 4-5kkm the oil lamp starts crying for oil so I pour ~800-1000ml into the engine.
But since I am using the cheapest good oil out there for like 2,5€/L I am not worried too much. Could be also the minor leakage at the bottom of the engine (I call it rust protection…)..