Leak from turbo? Among other things..

[ishnish]

So today as I was getting done cleaning my car I noticed there was a leak when I moved it. Very small drop but it had a very dark almost black color to it. I put the car up on a jack and looked under. This is what I found:

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The hose coming down has a leak towards the end also. Idk what part that is which is why I'm in the newbie forum. But can anyone enlighten me and let me know what's going on here and how to fix it? Idk if it has anything to do with the exhaust either cause I've recently been able to see almost a little bit of whiteness coming from the exhaust almost like white smoke but not thick at all.

Also, something else I noticed is the control arm from the driver's side of the car as opposed to the passenger side. The passengers side is looking neat and tidy while the driver's side looks more like this:

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It doesn't look healthy at all and idk if it's caused from a leak also. I've done a lot to maintain the car since I've got it but keep finding new things to nitpick at. So if anyone has any advice on any of this please help! I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

 

[miguelmcv]

Do you have a balance shaft removed?.

Where are you feeding the turbo from?.

Are you using a restriction in the feed line?.

We need some more Info.

By the way, Check your feeding Line, It might be leaking from there (at the top of the turbo).

You might need new copper washers.

 

[ishnish]

Do you have a balance shaft removed?.

Where are you feeding the turbo from?.

Are you using a restriction in the feed line?.

We need some more Info.

By the way, Check your feeding Line, It might be leaking from there (at the top of the turbo).

You might need new copper washers.

Sorry I just got the car maybe a month or 2 ago so idk what has been removed or what hasn't. What do you mean where am I feeding it from. How would I check? Idk if the balance shaft is removed either. I can ask the last owner though. I don't know the answer to any of the questions sorry I'll ask all of this though since he put in the new turbo.

I'm not sure what the oil feed line looks like but I saw some pics so I can check that out tomorrow.

How much would copper washers cost? Are there any other possible replacements also?

 

[miguelmcv]

OK.
Look on the of the turbo, exactly on top of the leak is, There is a bolt with a hose attached, fallow the hose, if it goes to the head, then it you just need new copper washers, They are cheap, Like 2.50$ or 1.50$, something around.

Also, do you have a gauge or some mods, anything that you might see that is not stock?


Check this out.
It tells how to change the turbo, But it shows the oil feed line, so you can have an Idea.

16G install in a 2G

 

[empie1]

Get used to oil leaks bud...especially at the pan where the return line bolts up.

 

[ishnish]

OK.
Look on the of the turbo, exactly on top of the leak is, There is a bolt with a hose attached, fallow the hose, if it goes to the head, then it you just need new copper washers, They are cheap, Like 2.50$ or 1.50$, something around.

Also, do you have a gauge or some mods, anything that you might see that is not stock?


Check this out.
It tells how to change the turbo, But it shows the oil feed line, so you can have an Idea.

16G install in a 2G

Okay so I finally got check out the feed line today and I saw absolutely no leak coming from it. My bro even said it looked brand new. Then I asked the previous owner and he said that it is brand new along with the turbo itself. I don't have a gauge no. Only mods would be an aftermarket clutch and a Punishment Racing intercooler really.

I asked the last owner the answer to all your questions btw. Balance shaft was not removed, no restrictions on the feed line, turbo is being fed from the oil filter housing. Oh and he also said the leak is more than likely coming from the oil drain. Any one know where that is? Or what he's referring to?

 

[miguelmcv]

Okay so I finally got check out the feed line today and I saw absolutely no leak coming from it. My bro even said it looked brand new. Then I asked the previous owner and he said that it is brand new along with the turbo itself. I don't have a gauge no. Only mods would be an aftermarket clutch and a Punishment Racing intercooler really.

I asked the last owner the answer to all your questions btw. Balance shaft was not removed, no restrictions on the feed line, turbo is being fed from the oil filter housing. Oh and he also said the leak is more than likely coming from the oil drain. Any one know where that is? Or what he's referring to?

Your Oil return line is the one in the first and second pic that you insert.

Is the hose that is on one side of the oil drip, that runs from the turbo down to the Oil Pan.

But, Lets start from the beginning.

Remove the Intake (turbo).

This is the big and thick hose that goes in front of the Turbo. (from the air filter to the turbo).

Check inside if there is oil.

Clean all the oil inside, and outside of the turbo, do a good clean up so you can see where the oil is coming from.

ALSO.

You should do some search on basic maintenance, OR get a Manual so you have some knowledge about all around your engine.

 

[ishnish]

Your Oil return line is the one in the first and second pic that you insert.

Is the hose that is on one side of the oil drip, that runs from the turbo down to the Oil Pan.

But, Lets start from the beginning.

Remove the Intake (turbo).

This is the big and thick hose that goes in front of the Turbo. (from the air filter to the turbo).

Check inside if there is oil.

Clean all the oil inside, and outside of the turbo, do a good clean up so you can see where the oil is coming from.

ALSO.

You should do some search on basic maintenance, OR get a Manual so you have some knowledge about all around your engine.

Dang I was hoping I wouldn't have to take out the turbo kinda' scared to. So the black hose in the first 2 pics is the oil return line? Is this also another name for the oil drain?

I know what the intake is . Thanks though. Maybe I made myself sound a little too dumb haha. You said to remove the intake (turbo) so idk if you're referring to just the intake or to remove the turbo also. I'm installing an injen intake with another filter anyway so do you think it should be worth checking the stock one anyway?

I have both the Chilton and Haynes manuals and use it very often for maintenance and all that.

Also, if I do find any oil inside the intake or around there (which probably will be likely), this should be normal right? I only ask this because I've been trying to save up some money to buy Calan's oil catch cans. I don't have a catch can yet but I'm aware of how important they are.

Anyways, the last owner saw the same pics and said it's more than likely the oil pan and advised me to just drain it and reseal it with a new gasket and RTV. What do you think? He said it's always a hard fitting to seal.

 

[miguelmcv]

Dang I was hoping I wouldn't have to take out the turbo kinda' scared to. So the black hose in the first 2 pics is the oil return line? Is this also another name for the oil drain?

I know what the intake is . Thanks though. Maybe I made myself sound a little too dumb haha. You said to remove the intake (turbo) so idk if you're referring to just the intake or to remove the turbo also. I'm installing an injen intake with another filter anyway so do you think it should be worth checking the stock one anyway?


I have both the Chilton and Haynes manuals and use it very often for maintenance and all that.

.
It is normal to find oil, But if you have to much oil then you need an inline filter to avoid oil getting into the intake,
Anyways, the last owner saw the same pics and said it's more than likely the oil pan and advised me to just drain it and reseal it with a new gasket and RTV. What do you think? He said it's always a hard fitting to seal.

If you are installing an injen (Intake), Than you will remove the stock, when you remove it check how much oil is in there, check inside the turbo as well, (Do not remove the Turbo).

Also, if I do find any oil inside the intake or around there (which probably will be likely), this should be normal right? I only ask this because I've been trying to save up some money to buy Calan's oil catch cans. I don't have a catch can yet but I'm aware of how important they are

 

[JusMX141]

Looks like your oil drain hose is kinked in both of your photos. That's bad. Ditch that rigged POS for 1G factory oil drain.

 

[ishnish]

If you are installing an injen (Intake), Than you will remove the stock, when you remove it check how much oil is in there, check inside the turbo as well, (Do not remove the Turbo).

Also, if I do find any oil inside the intake or around there (which probably will be likely), this should be normal right? I only ask this because I've been trying to save up some money to buy Calan's oil catch cans. I don't have a catch can yet but I'm aware of how important they are

Okay got it thanks. I'll keep you guys updated. I guess I'm gonna have to install the intake earlier than I thought. For some reason I think you might have been trying to quote me but something happened . Anyways, so is it normal to find oil in the intake? Idk about finding it in the turbo though. That doesn't sound too good.

Looks like your oil drain hose is kinked in both of your photos. That's bad. Ditch that rigged POS for 1G factory oil drain.

Okay is oil return and oil drain two different things? And what benefit is there over the 2g oil drain? Would this be the ideal oil drain? Or are there any other recommendations I should consider? How much would that cost me?

 

[JusMX141]

Okay is oil return and oil drain two different things?

Nope.

And what benefit is there over the 2g oil drain?

One fits your turbo- the other does not.

Would this be the ideal oil drain?

Absolutely.

Or are there any other recommendations I should consider?

Anything without rubber hose.

How much would that cost me?

Somewhere between free and $70 or so for a new one.

 

[ishnish]

Lol okay thanks. 1g oil drain it is. Anyone want to explain the difference between oil return and oil drain? Might as well learn a little something something while I'm on here =)

 

[JusMX141]

There is no difference. One term refers to the turbo draining back to the pan, the other refers to the turbo returning oil into the pan.

 

[ishnish]

Wow I apologize sir I totally read my own question wrong when you said "Nope." I thought you meant they're not the same things. Sorry once again. And thanks for clearing that up. If any problems arrive I'll be sure to update. Thank you guys.

 

[JusMX141]

Honestly that oil spot on the bottom of your compressor cover could just be from something above leaking onto the cover. There's nothing really in that area that would leak aside from possibly the valve cover gasket or even the oil supply line / fitting at the turbo.

The reason you're seeing the oil smoke out the exhaust is undoubtedly the fault of the kinked oil drain. Fix that, and hopefully the smoke will go away....otherwise you'll be needing a turbo rebuild to remove the coked oil and carbon from the turbine seal groove and from behind the heat shield.

 

[ishnish]

Honestly that oil spot on the bottom of your compressor cover could just be from something above leaking onto the cover. There's nothing really in that area that would leak aside from possibly the valve cover gasket or even the oil supply line / fitting at the turbo.

The reason you're seeing the oil smoke out the exhaust is undoubtedly the fault of the kinked oil drain. Fix that, and hopefully the smoke will go away....otherwise you'll be needing a turbo rebuild to remove the coked oil and carbon from the turbine seal groove and from behind the heat shield.

Thanks for the explanation. I was gonna come back on here to ask about that same spot on the turbo cover/shell since I never got an answer for it I guess. I'm still gonna check when taking out the intake though. By oil supply line, do you mean the oil feed? Cause I checked that and it looks perfect. No leaks whatsoever.

I don't see the smoke in the sun light, only in the shade. I thought it might be because of my coolant levels but thanks for clearing that up. This must mean that it just recently started to leak which is weird cause I haven't done anything to the car other then giving it a wash . Yikes! Can't afford to do turbo rebuild that sounds expensive.

 

[miguelmcv]

I don't think you will need a turbo rebuild.

Is more likely your Return line being nick.

Replace it and you might be OK.

 

[JusMX141]

Can't afford to do turbo rebuild that sounds expensive.

They can be- when you get them done by the wrong place.

 

[ishnish]

I don't think you will need a turbo rebuild.

Is more likely your Return line being nick.

Replace it and you might be OK.

This statement scares me. What do you mean by MIGHT be OK?

Idk if I'd need a turbo rebuild either. An explanation on why would be great though *cough*jusmx141*cough* .

They can be- when you get them done by the wrong place.

How much would it cost if I got it done at the RIGHT place ? Keep in mind, I live in an area that sucks and am very limited .

One more question btw. Will the 1g oil drain/return be a perfect fit for my turbo? Cause I have the EVO3B16G and I'm just wondering. Anyone know a good site where I can find it for a good price?

 

[miguelmcv]

When I say, (You might be OK).

It's not, because of a rebuild need it, But because it can be something else, like a need of a Catch Can, if to much oil is inside the intake.

You said turbo is new, and not much smoke is burning.

Just, replace the line.

Check the sponsors here for a 1g Line.

 

[ishnish]

When I say, (You might be OK).

It's not, because of a rebuild need it, But because it can be something else, like a need of a Catch Can, if to much oil is inside the intake.

You said turbo is new, and not much smoke is burning.

Just, replace the line.

Check the sponsors here for a 1g Line.

Thanks bro will do. Yeah I feel, if anything, it has to be the lack of a catch can (why I saw oil on the turbo shell that is) and my oil return most definitely.

I'm pretty sure the smoke is from low coolant. The leak is gone now that's how small it was. I'm still fixing the issue though because it's the better option.

Thanks for all the help guys! If I run into any problems then I'll be sure to update on this thread.