Turbo Oil Seals

[LDowney]

All,
I have a question on my turbo. The turbo is from the ATX kit for the 3B. The other day, the boost gauge started showing no boost but the pyro was easily showing elevated temps. I knew that I had a problem and was able to trace it to a split in the rubber down-turn from the turbo to the intake. I found the crack when I noticed a fresh oil film on the underside of the hood. This took 30-40 miles of driving to deposit enough oil for an obvious tell-tale. My question (concern) is how much oil should be getting past the seals in the turbo and going into the engine? (i.e., is the turbo going require new seals and other work very soon?)

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[lynchmob]

It may need some attention. How is your oil consumption as its running now ?

 

[LDowney]

It may need some attention. How is your oil consumption as its running now ?

Consumption is low enough that no oil needs to be added between changes. She does noticibly drip oil which accounts for some of the loss.

 

[lynchmob]

Consumption is low enough that no oil needs to be added between changes. She does noticibly drip oil which accounts for some of the loss.

If thats the case I would just fix the elbow and let it go.

 

[Radd Cruisers]

Often the engine breather is routed into the intake air stream and coats the inside of the turbo. This may look bad, but it only represents a tiny amount of oil.

Engine oil loss or consumption is really what you should be basing things on. Smoke is another issue, and seals on the hot side of the turbo may lead to smoking from the exhaust.

~John

 

[LDowney]

Thanks for the advice and time.

I pulled the stock elbow off my other truck to use until I can get a proper replacement. She is running fine with no signs of additional smoke. Plus, I will keep an eye out for smoke and oil consumption changes as indicators.