Why is my turbo leaking from here? (pics)

[KeithDigital]

Stock turbo. Very slow leak. Not really sure where it's coming from but it looks like where the turbine housing meets the center part?

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f345/KeithDigital/240/DSC02851Small.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f345/KeithDigital/240/DSC02852Small.jpg

[Sileighty_85]

well its either leaking from the oil return or the oil feed line up top

im pretty sure that oil would be cooked if it was leaking inside

[Def]

99% of the time when you see that you've got excessive blowby, and your compressor housing is basically filled with oil. Take off the intake pipe to the turbo and I bet it's absolutely coated in oil.

Your rings might be going, causing excessive blowby.

[cotbu]

First you need to determine exactly were the leak is coming from. You still have hard lines, maybe it's cracked, Or maybe it's a drainage problem. Or check the compressor inlet and outlets for oil, wouldn't bother with the exhaust housing, since you didn't mention any smoke. I'm sure the engine bay smokes a little.

[J90lude]

That definitely looks like a crack to me!

[Walperstyle]

lol just take apart the turbo and find out :p

[KeithDigital]

I'll take a look at the intake, but I know the turbo has that huge elbow on it, may not be able to see anything? Also if there was oil in it, wouldn't you think it would be a bad turbo seal - rather then the piston rings?

I will try to do a compression test - that should let me know about the rings.

I know the oil return line is good, the oil feed line - I will have to take off the heat shield to look at.

Take the turbo appart...lol, that is my last resort.

I'll work on this during the weekend, and let you guys know what happens, thanks for the great ideas.

[S13 curtis]

damn, i would help u if i was back home.

[KeithDigital]

damn, i would help u if i was back home.

Thanks Curtis - if I don't' take too many things apart, I'll be at the Arbys meet on Sunday.

[KeithDigital]

Well I decided to take the turbo off since I had an exhaust manifold leak anyway. I was hoping this oil leak was from the Oil Feed Line - maybe loose or broken, but the Oil Feed Line looks good. Why is my turbo leaking from here?!! The compressor and turbine wheels look normal - no sign of oil leaking/burning.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f345/KeithDigital/240/DSC03443Small.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f345/KeithDigital/240/DSC03445Small.jpg

[Chernobyl]

Is there oil residue in the downpipe?

Most likely, the seals inside the turbo are bad.

[Rabboni]

Im just gonna say that you probably need to rebuild the turbo. There are a lot things that could cause the seals to go bad, but to make sure it doesnt happen again make sure the oil return line is unobstructed, there isnt any excessive blowby (leakdown test is ideal), and that there isnt any shaft end play.

[KeithDigital]

I found out the previous owner had some rigged up oil line and ran full oil pressure to this turbo.... You are suppose to have a restrictor of 0.06" or use the factory banjo bolt. So pissed this turbo is mint looking and now I have to rebuild or replace it. I was told there is a slight chance the turbo could be ok if put the factory banjo bolt back on, but not sure I am going to chance it.

[fliprayzin240sx]

Is it a stock turbo? You dont need a restrictor for stock journal bearing turbos.

[S13 curtis]

I found out the previous owner had some rigged up oil line and ran full oil pressure to this turbo.... You are suppose to have a restrictor of 0.06" or use the factory banjo bolt. So pissed this turbo is mint looking and now I have to rebuild or replace it. I was told there is a slight chance the turbo could be ok if put the factory banjo bolt back on, but not sure I am going to chance it.


get a T28 you will like it alot better if you got the money.

[Def]

Is it a stock turbo? You dont need a restrictor for stock journal bearing turbos.

Yes, you do. You need a restrictor for *ALL* turbos.

The stock oil feed banjo bolt has a ~0.06" hole in it to reduce pressure to the turbo CHRA.

A BB CHRA turbo needs a ~0.030" restrictor.

[KeithDigital]

Yes, you do. You need a restrictor for *ALL* turbos.

The stock oil feed banjo bolt has a ~0.06" hole in it to reduce pressure to the turbo CHRA.

A BB CHRA turbo needs a ~0.030" restrictor.

Exactly! 100% correct.

[s13 drifta]

I have the same oil leak, mine is comming from the oil feed banjo bolt because the copper crush washers need to be replaced. Im just getting steel braided lines, hardlines are a pain in the ass.

[KeithDigital]

It's leaking where the oil line comes out of the block? If so, just unbolt the banjo bolt slap 2 new crush washers on - Nissan Part# 15193-P9000 (order two of them) and be done with it. If you install the steel braided lines you'll need to take your manifold and turbo off! Way too much work ;)

[s13 drifta]

Nope, its leaking from the turbo. I have to pull the turbo and mani off anyways to install new washers. I already bought goodridge lines, I hate hardlines.

[KeithDigital]

There are no washers on the turbo side of the oil line, check it out:

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f345/KeithDigital/240/DSC03445Small.jpg

I doubt it's leaking from there.

I hate hardlines too!

[MavericStephenc]

any updates on this?

[spooled240]

i had a turbo that leaked from there but it had no shaft play and it spooled fine, just made a mess =/

I just replaced the whole unit cuz I ended up snapping the shaft turning the shaft nut counterclockwise to loosen it (it's reverse thread) but when i took the turbo apart it looked like it was leaking from a seal at the end of the CHRA, so it's probably not too hard to replace you would just need the turbo VSR re-balanced.

[KeithDigital]

any updates on this?


The previous owner had some rigged up oil line and ran full oil pressurehttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/mag-glass_10x10.gif (http://zilvia.net/f/#) to this turbo and I assume this blew a seal. spooled240 sounds exactly my turbo. Spools great and no shaft play, just leaky and messy. I ended up replacing my turbo with another one.

[MavericStephenc]

Werd O_o sounds good