Turbo Return line - Basta$@

[XiKeiyaZI]

I've searched.. and yes, there are a few threads regarding this... but to each is his own problem with his own symptoms. I just want some good backing that this is indeed my issue.

About 2 weeks ago I noticed when I stopped my car smoked juuuust a little. " Hah..No issue... I'm still in break-in! " I told myself. Well.. I started noticing it getting worse.. so I parked the car and took a look around. It was about time for me to religiously check my fluids again anyway. My findings?

I was low on oil... that was apparently true because the dipstick said so, and there was oil Allll over the bottom frame-support that goes under the radiator. (Ah damn.. bad turbo, right?) So... I removed my intake components, my exhaust manifold, and my turbo to check the damage and confirm that I had somehow blown seals. Well surprise surprise.... I didn't?

1 : My Check Valve at the back of the intake was bad, allowing boost to build in the crank case. I replace this, better vaccum! This also made me think I had blown a seal in my turbo.
2 : I checked my hoses.....No oil....
3 : I checked my Turbo Shaft play....None...
4 : I checked the return line.. it was saturated. So I pulled it and replaced the gaskets. In the meantime, the thread on the oil pan decided to strip while I was BACKING THE BOLT OUT! >.< Well.. luckily I got this resolved.

So.. I had everything off, cleaned everything... it SEEMED like a bad turbo... but then again.. I didn't have any of the tell-tale signs..=/ So I came here to do a search and found out that some other people had the same issue.. with oil in the same places... around their return line? There is no oil around the housing on the turbo.. it's as dry as an old bone.. just the return line.

I put it all together.. was fine for the first few miles..only dripped once in a while. Then when i built boost and my oil pressure increased.. LEAK. So I checked again at my return line. It's only half-way saturated. So I take it that my issue is my return line is fubar'd?

Well, after reading, I discovered that I can cut the damaged section of the line.. and use Silocone hose in it's place with some strong clamps and I should be fine? Also, this oil leak WOULD effect oil pressure, correct? It's been lower than usual (No-brainer)...And am I just stupid and this is a blown turbo that still boosts perfect and has no shaft play?

 

[blkgst97]

factory return line? look for a hairline crack around the flex section.

 

[GRAVEDIGGER]

Sounds like the famous crack in the flex section of the old return line. Just fix it like you already said or get a new one and you'll be ok.

 

[hhuricane]

As for oil pressure...no, it would not affect it. The pressure in the return is near zero, it's just a return. You will have to check elsewhere.

 

[KKneipper]

Return lines are only a few bucks at NAPA, and even if that doesn't somehow solve your problem, that line probably needed to be replaced anyway.

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

Yeah, it's the stock line. It's one thing that I wasn't aware of when I was researching these cars before I bought this one. @_@ Apparently a lot of people have thi issues. I took a look at it today and it looks kind of bad..

So...if pressure in the return line is nearly zero, as you say... how come the increase in oil loss is apparent under higher RPM's? o.-

I suppose it could be blamed on oil FLOW rate opposed to pressure?

And I take it that the fix with the top-grade silicone hose will effectively resolve the issue and cause no other issues? Or is it more of just a temporary fix?

 

[GRAVEDIGGER]

Yeah, it would be more of an issue with the flow/volume of oil rather than the pressure. As far as doing the hose thing, there is no reason it wouldn't last a good while. Heck, it would probably last longer than a new one.(those flex sections just suck)

 

[blkgst97]

If you go the hose route, from now on when you need to remove your turbo you save the return line gaskets form being replaced and potentially creating a leak

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

Haha.

I'll tell you this.. I've never been so pissed at my car as when I was trying to get that return line one. Since I had to fix the stripped hole on the oil pan, I didn't want to remove it at the bottom.. and... here's a hint. Don't try to attatch it to the turbo last.. -_-

I flung wrenches... bolts... got oil in my eye... I was PO'd...

Should I hair-spray the ends of the hose like BOV Couplers? ;P

 

[EclipticalGS]

get a push-lock return line kit from slowboy, weld on the flanges. Or do that hose and clamp trick, whichever you thinks best.

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

>>.... Yeah.. think i'll be cheap... and suffer the 'consequences'

 

[DSM_Zak]

wierd thing, I have the same issue. I replaced the gaskets from the dealer, still a leak at the oil pan. So I got a new line, another set of gaskets, still leaking. Then I asked the dealer if there was anything I was missing, and apparently there is some crush washers at the oil pan to stop the oil from coming through the threads on the bolts. So I got all new hardware from mitsu, including the lock washers/bolts, crush washers, another set of gaskets and tried again. Well it still leaks. My oil pan was slightly dented where the return line was so I did it all over again, replaced the oil pan, used the new oil line, ANOTHER set of gaskets, and crush washers and put it all back together. Guess what, still leaks. Anyone else have this problem? Id rather not go aftermarket, but if I have to I will anyone know what else I can do to try and stop this fuggin leak? Its so annoying and its the most expensive damn leak I've ever tried to fix!

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

o.o ... my bolt holes were stripped out.. so I used a slightly larger bolt size with finer threads... threaded it in... pulled it backware with pliers.. and my factory bolts torqued down just fine. I ALWAYS use Ultra Grey on both sides of my gaskets that come in contact with oil. I don't care how bad it could look.. it's effective. I no longer have a leak. Same oil level ever since I replaced that cracked flex-piece.

 

[92AWDHX40]

I got new gaskets and a new oem line, tried the pushlock stuff 2x didnt work for me, used some black rtv all on the turbo, and sealed the bottom everywhere. No leaks at all, i took my time, and it works great.

 

[DSM_Zak]

Ill try some black RTV, the damn leak is annoying on my garage floor.