Another leaking turbo but this one is NEW!

[r6speed]

Some of you might remember a while back I put on a new 16G and had some help from you guys. My last problem was oil leaking onto the downpipe and smoking like crazy. I saw some oil by the oil return line going into the oil pan and jumped to the conclusion that was it so now about a month later I finally got the gasket and changed it out. Its not leaking at all but something was still leaking! So I got to looking more and sure enough its coming out of the turbo right where it seals with the clamp from compressor housing. The turbo is brand new yes its a POS turbo from ebay and I know I'm about to get a lot of crap for that but I have never even taken a turbo apart...can I replace that gasket? Should I try to tighten the clamp around it? Should I stop using full synthetic and try some normal oil and see if the thick oil stops the leak? I got lots of ideas and don't know which way to go but I can tell you I'm sick of dumping out brand new oil this was the 5th time I dumped 4 quarts of synthetic oil! Getting spendy here, thanks in advance for the help

 

[gstryyder]

save your money and buy a real turbo... problem solved. seriously tho. its worth it.

some ppl are lucky with these turbos.. some are not.. i was a lucky one and got a hell of a lot outta my ebay turbo. now i saved the money to buy REAL turbos. it is worth it not having to worry when crap like that is gonna happen.

 

[Rob10_99]

You have a seal thats leaking, nothing will stop it short of replacement.
Any shaft play? Your seals' toast, stop wasting oil.

Get something other than ebay this time

 

[r6speed]

I figured I would get some grief over that however the advice I am looking for is is this seal replacable and if so where do I get one. I know the "real" turbos are better but this car has been sitting only started once a month for almost 2 years now, everything else is done this is the final step, the car still has 45K miles on it, and I WANT TO DRIVE IT! But I'm out of money I can't afford a "real" one. Also is a "real" one going to bolt up to the way its setup now? Is everything the same size and in the same location? Thanks again

EDIT: No shaft play at all

 

[Calan]

I figured I would get some grief over that however the advice I am looking for is is this seal replacable and if so where do I get one.

They aren't suggesting to buy a better turbo to give you grief.

The fact is that if you replace the seal (rebuild the turbo), it may run for 5 minutes and it may run for 2 years. If you want to risk it, go for it. But since you say it's the "final step" and the car only has 45k on it, why risk that on a POS turbo that's already failed once?

You can find a decent used MHI 16g or similar turbo for probably not much more (if any) than you'll spend to repair the ebay one you have.

 

[Ravenous]

Alright, in a thread a long long time ago when the first gt turbos were falling apart I could of swore I saw that these CHRAs used garrett style components and not mitsubishi... I could of dreamed it or I could be right, but either way it was a long time ago so take the info with a grain of salt. On the other hand you may want to look into your oil pressure being the culprit as you wouldn't want to blow a "real" turbo if your current problem isn't just a turbo failure.

 

[7"exhaust_tip]

You might have a lot of crank case pressure.

What is your motor's compression? (Just to quickly rule that out)

I'm only saying that because even if you have a new turbo, if you have high crankcase pressure, oil will still be blown out of new seals.

 

[r6speed]

Well the compression I think was 150 or real close as for blowing the seal that could be a possibility because when I first hooked it up i used #4 braided line just started the car didn't drive it, then I was told if I use 4 with a mitsubishi it will pop the seal as soon as you start it, but I didn't think that happened cause I never spooled the turbo really and I quickly reduced it down to a 3 line right before it goes into the turbo to make sure it didn't do that. Do you think that starting it with a 4 line would really do that though? I'm in high hopes that the SSautochrome ebay store I bought it from with just exchange it, I emailed them this morning and havent heard back yet so we will see, but it is a Big 16G so if I buy a used big 16g just the turbo will it just bolt right in place and everything will fit? Thats my worry is all the money I spent modifying things to work, I don't want to do that again! Thanks!!

 

[TomcTSI]

What did you "modify" to get this turbo to work ? Oil/Water Lines and your charge pipe ? If thats all you had to do than you shouldnt have much trouble getting a new one to fit

 

[r6speed]

yes oil lines water lines the J pipe the BOV line tapped into the J pipe I had to change the oil feed line going into the turbo from a straight adapter to a banjo bolt with crushed washers like stock which is better anyways but most worried about that J pipe that was not fun and it BARELY fits any bigger or movement it won't fit.

 

[Rob10_99]

No a huge return line blowing the turbo seals is a load of horseshit. Is your pcv valve working correctly? I would suggest dumping that pcv valve for a catch can setup if your into swapping tubros by now.

 

[r6speed]

No I didn't say it was from the return oil line I said I think it was from my oil pump I started with a number 4 line just started it and then changed to number 3 but was told number 4 could "pop" the seal instantly...didn't really beleave it but now I kinda do. They won't take the turbo back in exchange nor will they give me a deal on a new one so at this point if I can try anything else I am up for trying cause I can't afford a 500 dollar good turbo at the moment it will sit for another few weeks.

Still think a catch can?