Turbo oil return line leak, help!

[916GST]

Hi everyone, I'm a new member to the DSM community. I just picked up a 98 GST recently and I noticed that there is a small leak. From what I have read online, I believe it is a turbo oil return pipe leak on the oil pan side. Here's some pictures of the leak:

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My question is, what do I need to fix this problem and where can I get the parts? Is there a kit that I can buy that includes everything I need?


Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[CrawlinZX14]

Looks like whoever assembled this did not put any thread sealant on the NPT fittings. I would remove the fittings and just simply use some teflon tape to seal the threads and see what happens and if the leak is stopped.

 

[916GST]

Thanks for the reply, CrawlinZX14! I will try your suggestion on Monday, since most stores will probably be closed tomorrow. So basically, I would just need to wrap the teflon tape around the thread and then screw it back on? Should this be done on both ends?

 

[turboglenn]

take return off, drain oil, clean and dry everything...sealant on threads (even bolts to pan) thenn grey RTV on surfaces, assemble, let dry over night...viola!

p.s. don't forget to put oil back in the car

 

[bryanwheat]

It also looks like there are no crush washers on the bolts holding the fitting to the pan. It will usually leak 100 percent of the time is you don't use them. For sealant on the fitting that screws in i would use Permatex shellack.

 

[916GST]

@turboglenn: Thanks for the advice, I will give it a shot. Is it safe to use degreaser to clean the parts?

@bryanwheat: Thanks for your response. What size crush washers do I need? I only need 4 of them right? I did try to search for the size but different people were saying different sizes so I wasn't sure.

 

[bryanwheat]

You only need 2 of them, the turbo side fitting doesn't need them. The bolt diameter is 6mm, so a 6mm washer should do.

 

[sugarfree]

remember also that black rtv silicone is garbage and will leak after a while. I personally use high temp orange on everything mainly because it is more tacky and adheres 10x better than black

 

[92AWDHX40]

yep get washers i use orange too, no more leaks with my oem line.

 

[916GST]

Thanks everyone. So basically, it sounds like this is what I need to do after I remove the part and clean it:

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Do I need to change anything on the turbo side of the pipe?

Also, I can't seem to find any of those things locally. I found this at Walmart but don't know if it's as good as orange:

Walmart.com: Permatex High-Temp Red RTV Silicone Gasket Marker: Sealants, Fillers & Adhesives

As for the 6mm crush washers, would Lowes or Home Depot carry them? I tried searching Pepboys, Oreilly and Autozone but can't find any.

 

[92AWDHX40]

washers, mine came from auto store clean her up and fix that leak there at the pan.

 

[dsm44130]

i personally like "the right stuff" gasket maker by permatex ,i never had a leak on anything ive used it on

 

[916GST]

Hey guys, I'm not exactly sure what a crush washer is. Anyone have a picture of a 6mm crush washer? Is it the same as these washer that's already on the bolts?

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I went to Lowe's and asked if they carry 6mm crush washers, the rep said its the same as the split lock washers, which I think i already have right?

 

[92AWDHX40]

Size i just got one that fits the bolt no specific size i ever used but they worked just fine, got it from lowes.

 

[916GST]

Are these considered crush washers?

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Or is it something like this:

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Which one should I be using?

 

[cnordelo]

I would completely re-do the return line. You def. need teflon though.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Worked for me ive used both one locks. A gasket isnt there, stock turbo, stock line does a great job.

 

[awdspyder98]

Just go to your local parts shop... orielys,, advance... and ask for some crush washers. They should have a variety of sizes.

 

[DSMTyson]

Are these considered crush washers?

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Or is it something like this:

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Which one should I be using?

The second ones. But they need to be copper.

 

[97gst_spyder]

Crush washers are thin, copper, and fit perfect onto the bolt there going on. Advance, autozone, etc carry them. Also, Ace may.

 

[bryanwheat]

They also offer aluminum crush washers, they will work just fine also.
These are crush washers

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[92AWDHX40]

Dealer with bolts, washers call it done.

 

[Dert]

Get 2 gaskets and spray both of them with copper spray. Put BOTH gaskets on the pan side of the drain tube and re install with new crush washers and torque the bolts to spec. Corey (gofer) came up with this method and it works great, so I give all credit for this to him.

 

[josh1095]

around st ouis they have fasten-al stores. these are great for finding high grade bolts/rare bolts/screws and dif washers etc.

 

[916GST]

Thanks for all the help guys!

Here's what I did:

1) Removed the pipe and used carb cleaner to clean off the pipe threads, all bolts, washers, flanges, oil pan, and the turbo gasket part

2) Applied some Permatex Threadlocker Red on all the bolt threads, as well as on the threads of the main pipe

3) Reassemble the flanges onto the pipe

4) Applied a good amount of Prematex RTV Red High-Temp Gasket Maker to the flanges (gasket side, where it attaches to oil pan and turbo)

5) Installed pipe with bolts and washers, and let it dry for several hours


Result: It's been 2 days since I've finished and so far there has been no more leaks!!