Freelander 1 TD4 Turbo dilema

[andyfreelandy]

Some advice please.
Cleaned up my new purchase TD4. 170k miles. Had very oily intercooler pipe joints and much mess all over them.
Stripped out and investigated and found very blocked solid breather, filthy air cleaner, dirty and probably original turbo vent as it had a short pipe on the outlet (most get lost).

Figured that it had not been breathing too well.

BUT, the engine oil level is dangerously low. No idea of any top ups.
Started after the clean to warm engine to drain what oil there is and blipped throttle. Large black smoke puff then all clear.
What is probability that the poor maintenance has caused the oil leaks from the intercooler pipes?
Or could it be a turbo seal drinking the engine oil?

Is there an easy way to determine whether the turbo seals are leaking?

Will refill with fresh oil and monitor but if turbo is on the edge I'd rather change it before catastrophe!!
Any experience in this area please??

 

[Nodge68]

There's know way to tell if the oil has come from the turbo compressor seal, or the engine breather, but there is a quick n dirty test.
However in my experience, the breather accounts for a vast majority of the oil in the boost system. If the crankcase filter blocks solid, then oil finds its way past the filter, and ends up in the boost system.
I expect the intercooler is also pretty full of oil too, as that's quite good at trapping it.

Large amounts of oil in the intake will soften the rubber boost pipes, which effectively makes them loose clamping force and leak.

Once the boost system is cleaned properly.
You can run the engine without turbo to intercooler pipe connected, and monitor what is ejected with the air on a piece of clean white kitchen towel. This should give an indication of how much fresh oil is getting into the boost system, which could well come from the turbo, if it's a large quantity. If there's no oil in the air, the it was likely drawn through the breather by the turbo, which was pulling a high vacuum due to a blocked air filter.

 

[andyfreelandy]

Thanks, yes I put a catch pot over the intercooler output hose and gave it a somewhat hesitant rev up. No turbo of course!!
Nothing came out, I hope that all I saw on reassembly was the engine thinking 'thank God I can breathe now'!!!
I think turbo seals are stronger than I imagined having read up a bit on them.

Will monitor the fresh engine oil situation. The breather filter was sort of solid!!!

 

[Nodge68]

I think turbo seals are stronger than I imagined having read up a bit on them.

Turbo seals are very similar to piston rings, and are very durable. They do wear eventually, but the main issue comes should they break, which doesn't happen very often.

 

[andyfreelandy]

Also, pcv diaphram was ripped. Trying to decide if this means more air or, as it can't be sucked open, no air!!???? Torn on outer rim edge.

 

[Nodge68]

Also, pcv diaphram was ripped. Trying to decide if this means more air or, as it can't be sucked open, no air!!???? Torn on outer rim edge.

I'm under the impression that the diaphragm opens the crankcase vent to the turbo intake, when pressure in the crankcase exceeds a preset threshold. Its a positive crankcase vent, meaning the crankcase is vented under positive pressure. In my experience, the system is dreadful, and clogs up so easy, it's a wonder it works at all.

 

[andyfreelandy]

After changing oil, cleaning up the engine bay, removing all intercooler hoses and cleaning / refitting and freeing up the pcv and putting a new crankcase and turbo filter in the engine runs like a different car!!

Found several intercooler hose clips loose.
No smoke now and pulling well.
Fitted new rear exhaust too.
Almost ready to say goodbye!!