you have - 4 times - look on lz live 
ffs - reload this thread
Well another 245 miles and 200ml of oil to get to half way between dipstick marks. Tried to post picture of inside of intercooler pipe last week, but website was carped. Anyway, cleaned it all out so it was nice and clean. It's like this again
That oil line is where it's collecting up against the inlet manifold pipe. I know the turbo is expected to pass some oil and we've discussed this before. However, I'm still hoping this could be where 200ml of oil is going through each week.
That oil line is where it's collecting up against the inlet manifold pipe. I know the turbo is expected to pass some oil and we've discussed this before. However, I'm still hoping this could be where 200ml of oil is going through each week.
Last edited:
using oil is good (within reason) as it means the oil is continually being replenished
using oil is good (within reason) as it means the oil is continually being replenished
Aye, mine is getting fresh oil every week I'm going to change that picture cos it's blurred
I don't know, I've never looked! If it's passing 200ml in every 250 miles, is that enough for some to get down the boost pipe? I don't know!?
It's not like it's passing oil close to run away levels. It is passing oil though! I just don't know if it's 200ml per week.
No, why?
From the amount of oil you can see in my IC pipe, would you expect oil going through the boost pipe?
neilly
Well-Known Member
Hoping that would be your answer, as otherwise I would wonder if one is holding some oil in place it should not be.
Cheers
Where/how do you mean?
Goc3k
Well-Known Member
Could've been an improperly seated crank main seal leaking (or cam as well), wouldn't create a noticeable leak with wading plugs in.
No, there is not much in that pic but you did say you recently cleaned it, and goosed seals in the turbo will merrily fill every single pipe connected to the system (hence worth checking the boost compensator). When you lasted cleaned it a goodly amount should've come out of the lower intercooler hose (i.e actual running spillage), even more if you have a big non standard intercooler.
Also worth considering, if your PCV system is still plumbed in the stock setup any excessive blowby that makes it past the cyclone breather will compound / mask the actual problem. i'd be inclined to fit a big oil catch can in (bigger works best) to see how much it collects over a short period, as that will somewhat remove the factor from the equation (i.e blowby via the pcv may make it look like a bad turbo passing oil, by lagging the system with oil)
Ah, I see. No the rear crank seal seems to be fine. Nothing leaking out of there.
I tested to see if anything was coming out through the cyclone breather way back on page 52
Long time ago now. Not adrop in my makeshift oil catcher.I don't think the seals are completely goosed in the turbo. Just enough to pass 200ml of oil in 250 miles. At least that's what I hope!
The first turbo I got was passing more oil and they replaced it with the current one. If they didn't do a good job of the first one maybe they didn't do a good job of this one either? This one is boosting better than the first one, but maybe there is still a bit of an issue with the seals. Obviously, I'm hoping this is the issue rather than the honing as James Martin suggests. I can't help think that if the honing isn't right, then I stand a very good chance of making it worse if I do a home hone. So, it's worth investigating the turbo a bit more I reckon. I've been looking on the Garrett website and they say turbos shouldn't pass any oil through the seals. I've looked on loads of forums today and most people report some oil in the IC pipework
I've emailed Garrett info department today, you never know they might reply. I suppose the acid test would be to buy a brand new turbo, rather than a reconditioned one, to see if it makes a difference. Or, run it for 250+ miles without the turbo connected. Don't know how it would run though. Very slowly I presume!
Goc3k
Well-Known Member
The turbo is still going to pass oil (if it is the problem) unless you remove the turbo entirely which would be a pain, it'll boost straight to atmosphere with no piping afterall.
Ah I'd forgotten you'd already tried that. You can get cheapo oil in the 20l shed friendly size containers as you no doubt know for about £3 a litre when bought on offer, or about £4 at usual prices. £3 to take you 1250 miles seems pretty reasonable to me, and the problem doesn't really seem to be getting worse over the last few months, maybe even slightly better lately?
Just to clarify in a concrete manner also, if your intercooler is not actually spilling liquid oil out of the bottom hose when removed (i.e over a teaspoon filling dribble, after a few thousand miles collecting it), the turbo is not passing enough oil to warrant 200mls every 250 miles - although most will be burnt either way the IC will collect oil very efficiently.
Ah I'd forgotten you'd already tried that. You can get cheapo oil in the 20l shed friendly size containers as you no doubt know for about £3 a litre when bought on offer, or about £4 at usual prices. £3 to take you 1250 miles seems pretty reasonable to me, and the problem doesn't really seem to be getting worse over the last few months, maybe even slightly better lately?
Just to clarify in a concrete manner also, if your intercooler is not actually spilling liquid oil out of the bottom hose when removed (i.e over a teaspoon filling dribble, after a few thousand miles collecting it), the turbo is not passing enough oil to warrant 200mls every 250 miles - although most will be burnt either way the IC will collect oil very efficiently.
Aye, it would be a pain.
It is a pain checking and topping up the oil every weekend. Not the end of the world, I agree.
Also, I think I'm annoyed/embarrassed by the fact that my engine rebuild has not turned out well
Yes, I know. But then how is so much oil getting to pipe to the inlet manifold if the intercooler was condensing it so efficiently?
Goc3k
Well-Known Member
Everything else came out pretty peachy!, plus if it was a bad hone then that isn't even your fault... (nor is a leaky turbo mind)Also, I think I'm annoyed/embarrassed by the fact that my engine rebuild has not turned out well
It's a bit of physics and to some degree the chemistry that makes the oil at work. If your IC was transparent, you'd see the oil mist depositing micro droplets of oil once the charge hits the pressure difference within the IC, the heavier oil parts will then cling to whatever surface they've made it to, mostly within the IC core but of course plenty makes it further upstream - then once the engine is switched off there is a short duration where the oil is thin enough to pool at the lowest parts of the system it can get to, bottom of IC for the stuff in there, and for the vapour that got further you can see some has collected in that little detent in your inlet manifold intake hose. In reality the IC doesn't catch that much, it's just the best place on the system to check as it will always show the worst symptoms.
Hmmm, I know what you're saying. But, overall, it was my job so down to me.
Yeah, I know when the pressure drops across the IC the temp will also drop and the oil vapour will condense out. However, there are other factors involved here. I'm looking at 200ml over a week doing 250 mile. This involves a 17 miles journey to work for the Mrs, so the engine, exhaust, turbo gets pretty hot. Also, the force of the air going through the IC has to be pretty swift, so blowing the vapour through as well as the condensing out droplets. What do you reckon
