16g Install, now blown head gasket

[k_dog007]

I just installed cx racing's big 16g turbo kit on my 98 GST with 85k miles. Put it on, started it up, had two leaks to fix. After I took it off again to fix a small coolant leak and and oil return line leak, I started it up again. I primed it of course. I let it run for a couple of minutes. It idled at 1500k. After I reved it up to about 3k, I checked again for any leaks. I found a good flow of oil on the block. I tracked it down, looks to be the head gasket. I cleaned up the engine and waited a couple of hours to try again just to make sure, it is the head gasket near the water coolant lines to the turbo. Before I installed the turbo, it was kinda gunky in that area anyway and I'm pretty sure there was a small leak. I cleaned that area with degreaser about a week before. the questions I have are.

1. Is there any chance I installed the turbo wrong that would cause the head gasket to blow?

2. I haven't messed with the waste gate, do I need to adjust it?

3. Since there was a small leak at that spot anyway, could the turbo have just finally blown that spot that was about to go anyway?

 

[JusMX141]

1) No.

2) Most likely considering the last person to touch that turbo was 10,000 miles away from you.

3) You didn't even mention driving the car or hitting boost with the new turbo installed, so how could the turbo have further-weakened the head gasket?

 

[k_dog007]

1) No.

2) Most likely considering the last person to touch that turbo was 10,000 miles away from you.

3) You didn't even mention driving the car or hitting boost with the new turbo installed, so how could the turbo have further-weakened the head gasket?

Your right, I didn't even hit any boost, thats why I wonder how it could have further weakened the head gasket. With that said, even without adjusting the wastegate, how could I have blown the gasket? Could it just have been coincidence that the head gasket blew at the exact time I put a new turbo on. I an running stock boost controllers.

 

[JusMX141]

I can't see how it was related at all unless you were loosening the head bolts while you were doing the turbo swap. What you're describing here is essentially the same as saying you changed your brake pads and got a flat tire the next time you drove the car.

 

[donniekak]

I can't see how it was related at all unless you were loosening the head bolts while you were doing the turbo swap. What you're describing here is essentially the same as saying you changed your brake pads and got a flat tire the next time you drove the car.

He isn't even sure the head gasket is blown. Oil on your block isn't really great proof of a blown gasket. The only pressurized oil passage to the head is around the further most to the passenger side head bolt, in the front of the head. The stock plug, or turbo feed is located directly above this area, and a leak can run down to the exposed head gasket tab under it. Also, a missing, stripped, or damaged exhaust manifold stud can leak oil, as it passes into the non pressurized oil return passage in the head. Also a simple valve cover leak can run down onto the head, and block.


Where is your turbo fed oil from?
Can you take a picture of the oil leak?

 

[k_dog007]

The turbo is feed from the oil filter location. I will try and take a pic tomorrow during the day. I can see if flow pretty good from what appears to be the head gasket area. It has leaked from that area before, just not this much. I will double check the area and might take a video of it.

I just started the car up again to check out the leak. From what I could see, oil appeared to be coming in forward direction from the area where the head and block meet. It looked to be coming from about mid way under the coolant line areas if that makes any sense. The car is still idling around 1500k, haven't seen it drop down any yet, but I've been shutting it off as soon as the oil started to leak.

Ok, here are some pics I took. I'm hoping Donniekak is right and its the manifold stud that's leaking. The nut looks like it has oil around where it seals or is supposed to seal to the manifold.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[dahawkster]

So what ever happen to this car cause the same thing just happened to me....

 

[k_dog007]

Well everybody, it stopped leaking. For whatever reason, after I degreased and washed out the engine bay around the leak area and topped off the radiator fluid, the leak quit. I don't know why, it just did. I may have never had a leak or maybe somehow some fluid got on that area of the engine. I am considering this resolved for now.

 

[AWDtalonPt2]

I love it when a car fixes itself.

 

[dahawkster]

I think its something to do with the oil feed line maybe building to much presure...