Oil leak from driver side turbo help

[Pieceofsand]

So I spotted some drips of oil after I shut the car off after driving. The drip seem to be coming from the oil pan, when I jack the car up I notice it is actually coming from the driver side turbo, the oil is dripping onto the oil pan and then drip down from the oil pan. There had been two occasion where I saw smoke coming out from the exhaust, for a few seconds only, I'm positive it is oil. Both of my turbos are rebuilt.
Anyways, I'm not quite sure what to do at this point. Here are some pictures I took from under the car.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Are those bolts to the drain line torqued to spec? You included the gasket upon reinstall?

[Pieceofsand]

I checked them they are tight, but I'll double check just to make sure. I couldn't do it earlier because it was hot.

I did not do the installation myself. Dennis did.

What part is the oil to the drain line are you referring to?

Thanks.

[evildky]

the line you circled is a coolant line, the oil feed line goes in the top of the turbo, thats is likely the source fo the leak, basically the motor has to come out to fix it, been there done that got the scars on my knuckles

[BigTDogg (MA)]

the line you circled is a coolant line, the oil feed line goes in the top of the turbo, thats is likely the source fo the leak, basically the motor has to come out to fix it, been there done that got the scars on my knuckles

Yeah, that's the one with the flare fitting up top. Probably leaking down and around.

[Pieceofsand]

I have to pull the motor eh? I think there is a write up on tt.net that points out what to do to pull driver side turbo without pulling the motor. Are you guys 100% sure that it's from the top of the turbos? Not trying to doubt you guys, just trying to zeroing in my problem. Thanks for the help by the way.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

I have to pull the motor eh? I think there is a write up on tt.net that points out what to do to pull driver side turbo without pulling the motor. Are you guys 100% sure that it's from the top of the turbos? Not trying to doubt you guys, just trying to zeroing in my problem. Thanks for the help by the way.

If you can see it and get at it with a long extension and a flare nut crow's foot, I'd bow down. It's damn near impossible to see, nevermind get a wrench on.

It's 90° clockwise (from the back) from the water fitting in the foreground in this picture:



Oil goes top to bottom, water goes left to right in the CHRA.

Pulling the turbo with the engine in can be done. You can also ride a rodeo bull with a glass bottle in my @$$, but I wouldn't want to do that either.

If you're bringing it to someone for labor, I'd ask them what they'd charge for a pull vs engine in. If you're DIYing, I'd absolutely pull the engine.

[Pieceofsand]

Alright, I agree with you. It is a lot easier to pull the motor to get access to the turbos I know that myself. Reason I was being pantsy about it is because I don't have all the tools(hoist). Anyways, as far as where it's leaking from, how are you so sure it's from the oil feed line? As oppose to oil return line?

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Alright, I agree with you. It is a lot easier to pull the motor to get access to the turbos I know that myself. Reason I was being pantsy about it is because I don't have all the tools(hoist). Anyways, as far as where it's leaking from, how are you so sure it's from the oil feed line? As oppose to oil return line?

I'm not sure, that's why I'm saying the easy check is to see if the:

A) Gasket was used on the oil return hardline to turbo interface

And

B) The oil return line bolts are torqued to spec

If both A and B are true, I'd suspect the oil feed line. But checking A and B is pretty easy.

For the hoist, I got mine used on Craigslist for $100, worked great for two pulls and a reinstall and now I have it whenever I need it. The stand can be had for about $60 at Harbor Freight IIRC.

[Pieceofsand]

Alright, the guy who did my work did reuse a gasket on the turbo return line(bad idea, don't ask me why he did). And I'm hoping that is the problem.


I assume the blue I circle is the oil return line, and the red is one of the coolant line right? First time touching this problem, as you can tell lol.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Alright, the guy who did my work did reuse a gasket on the turbo return line(bad idea, don't ask me why he did). And I'm hoping that is the problem.


I assume the blue I circle is the oil return line, and the red is one of the coolant line right? First time touching this problem, as you can tell lol.

Yes, blue is oil, red is coolant

[Pieceofsand]

I understand how the bolts could be leaking around the oil return lnie from the bad gasket, but how do you explain the oil that's located on the top and bottom of the two circles in the picture? The leak has to come from somewhere else also, right? Thanks.

[evildky]

yup it's got to be leakign form the top, the return line is under no pressure so it won't spray if it leaks

I did manage to tighten mine wwith it int he car, it took a pivoting offet flare nut wrench, pulling off lots of heatshields, the turbo downpipe and all manor of other carp and took me around 4 hours...I can pull the motor in 4 hours and nto have bloody knuckles