Oil Leak - Turbo

[DennisG01]

I've noticed oil leaking (more like seeping, than leaking) out of the area between the turbine and the compressor. It's seeping out where turbine and compressor attach to the center section - in the crack/gap where the bolts (and rectangular washers) are - I guess the "mating surface" is a better way to describe it. I've only noticed it since the cold weather has started. I also have been running the truck on high idle (1,050rpm setting) to warm it up before taking the kids to school.

Could the extended idle times be causing this? Just wondering since the turbo isn't really spooling up during idle times. I do have a small amount of seepage from around where the CDR sits in the valve cover (I think that is normal, though?). CDR is at least 9 years old, fyi.

 

[NVW]

It's not the drain that's leaking, and the oil is just weeping upwards?

 

[DennisG01]

Hi Leo,

The part that is leaking is where the center section of the turbo mates to both the turbine and the compressor. The oil is seeping out from where these pieces connect together. It's the area that gets held together by those 8 (?) bolts with the funky, rectangular washers. I suppose I can take it apart and apply some sealant, but it's odd that it didn't start leaking until the cold weather came and I started having longer idle times. I'll get a picture a little later in the day - that should help clarify what I'm trying to explain.

 

[NVW]

Have a look in Bison's Turbo Rebuild thread and maybe there are pics on how it's sealed.

I know on tractors left idling in cold temps, they will slobber around the turbo. Everything shrinks in the cold.

 

[DennisG01]

Thank you, Leo. Your post helped as it forced me to take a second (actually 3rd or 4th) look at this. I believe I may have been mistaken on what is leaking. It appears it may be from my secondary oil pressure sender. I removed it, put a plug in it's place and cleaned everything up. We'll see if everything stays clean after I drive it a few days. It appears it's leaking where the black, plastic body is crimped into the metal housing. The black body is actually loose enough that I can turn it, by hand, about 10*.

Just for FYI, here's the original pic I promised:

In this pic, you can see the sender I referenced above:

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[NVW]

Good news Dennis, A new sender is way easier to change than splitting the turbo.

 

[DennisG01]

You're dead-on about that!

 

[natjwest]

Reviving a bit of an old thread here...

I have a leaking turbo from near the same spot, not exactly. Here are a couple pics, both from underneath (where the leak is), with the passenger wheel well pulled off (was doing GPs when I noticed this).

Looking from the front-ish underside towards the firewall:


Looking from the back-ish, you can see the alternator in the background:


Is this a "problem"? I don't have a boost gauge, but the turbo seems to be running really well. I have two other leaks also, one near the CDR (will replace soon) and one near the rear spark plug. In all cases, there isn't any oil appearing underneath my regular parking spot so it's a low seep if anything.

Thank you gentlemen for you continued assistance.

 

[ak diesel driver]

How much blowby do you have? It's either oil making it's way thru the cdr or the seals in the turbo leaking.

 

[natjwest]

Oh I've never measured blowby nor do I think I want to. Baby steps for me. I suppose I can just replace the CDR, clean it up, and see if it comes back? Or am I killing things with it leaking in its current condition.

 

[WarWagon]

Nothing to worry about. The oil mist from the CDR tends to weep around the turbo. The more blowby you have the more oil you get.