Stanleysteamer said:

Doesn't the turbo turn in pressurised oil bearings? Hence the oil feed to it? In which case, with no oil there when it is static you would expect there to be some play. This is what is taken up by the oil when it is running, which is why it can turn at such stupidly hign speeds.
http://www.turbos.bwauto.com/en/products/turbochargerBearingSystem.aspx

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NPG said:

You might also have a faulty breather valve which is stuck open, allowing excessive venting of oil vapour, especially at high revs.

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PopPops said:

Hello All,

So I spent most of the morning trying to locate a small oil leak which is probably the front cam seal, however, to get to see more things I removed some of the turbo hoses which were slightly oily. So I checked for play at the turbo and there is some sideways movement, but none fore and aft. The vanes have not appeared to have touched the housing. Also, the pipe between the MAF and turbo seems just as oily as the others, which is obviously before the turbo. This is not gallons of oil, just enough to see little "drops" where the oil would collect in hoses etc. I tried the "in orbit" test with the oil filler cap and it's fine, there seems to be little or no blow-by.

I have read somewhere that this design of turbo does have some side to side play, but I have no experience of any others. The turbo does not seem to make any unusual noises and the sump oil level does not rise or fall between oil changes and it runs absolutely fine.

Should I be worried and looking for a mortgage for a new turbo, or does it all sound "normal"?

It's a 2004 16P auto, 145k miles.

Thanks!

PP

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berg450 said:

Mine has exactly the same symptoms (some oil in hoses, slight play of turbo only sideways). My turbo was checked by specialist and said it is normal and is in good condition.

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