Is it possible for oil to leak past the turbo
seals if the oil gets too hot?

I'm asking because every now and again I get
a poof of smoke. Looks greyish, smells oily
and maybe slightly rich. This almost always
occurs on a hot day and in stop an go traffic.

I've been planning on installing an oil pressure
gauge and oil cooler, but don't want to spend the
money if there's no chance that the cooler will
solve this issue.

Current setup:
Isis V2 manifold
Isis RS3871 turbo
Isis SR20 elbow and modified down pipe
Deatsch Werks 550cc injectors
Isis M spec intercooler
HKS BOV VTA
RS Enthalpy tune
Running around 17psi
There's alot of Isis stuff in there lol!

Thanks guys.

Did I ask a stupid question?

You may just have some bad valve stem seals.
My car does the same thing if it idles a few minutes.

^+1

Usually when a turbo oil seal goes (or is going), you get a TON of blue smoke.

RiverCitySX wrote:Did I ask a stupid question?

Sorry it took so long for a reply. I must have missed this thread.

Shouldn't be valve stem seals
they were replaced 5k miles ago.
I had some problems with my drain
line a while back so I'm pretty sure
the turbo needs replacing

You can pop off the air filter and check for axial/radial play in the turbine shaft. If it's not wobbling all over the place you can have it rebuilt pretty cheaply these days. No need to buy a new one.

http://gpopshop.com/services/rebuilding/

It does have some up and down/ side to side play.
I'm not sure how much play is good and how much is
bad though. Any input there would be appreciated.
I actually have a new replacement sitting on the
floor, just saving for a new mani (mine is warped)
The Isis reman kits are on forever backorder lol.
They do sell sh*t mad cheap if your parts are outta
warranty though. New turbo cost me $200.

Appreciate the help.

Hope the new turbo lasts a bit longer. When you look at the turbine wheel, does the shaft have balancing marks?

Should look like this...

Sure does. I'm pretty sure my fight with the oil return
line is what caused the leaking in the first place,
I just thought it was strange that it mostly happens
in heavy stop and go traffic on hot days, and very infrequently.
Wanted to make sure I wasn't overlooking something else.