Turbo oil feed or return?

rcdukes · **Joined:** Mon Mar 07, 2016 12:41 pm **Posts:** 14

I have an oil leak that I can see but am unsure if feed or return for the turbo. It is almost straight up from the oil filter. I thought at first the leak was the filter so I changed it. Still leaked. Finally spotted it while running the engine while on ramps. I started pricing the return line and noticed it didn't match what I was looking at. Read the posts about the return line but can't find anything on the feed line. Am I correct that the line directly above the oil filter is the feed line and is approximately 1/4 inch in size. Oil pours from this line while running.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Tue Jul 05, 2016 5:00 pm

The other common source of an apparent oil leak in that area is a tear in the airbox to turbo hose just below where it connects with the turbo. However assuming it's the feed line (http://www.idparts.com/turbocharger-oil ... -3209.html) do NOT drive until it's replaced. That's a high pressure line feeding directly off the main oil gallery and by driving you risk pumping all the oil out of the engine not to mention a leaky line will starve the turbo of critical oil supply.

I'm not sure you can replace the line with the turbo on the vehicle but you may be able to remove enough stuff to do so. If the coolant tank needs to come off FYI it mounts on a bracket underneath and needs to slid forward before it can come up. If you do have to pull the turbo you will need to a) soak the turbo to exhaust manifold nuts in penetrating lube at least 24 hrs before removal and b) buy a new turbo to manifold gasket and new oil return line upper gasket.

flash7210 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 05, 2016 5:01 pm

The feed line is about 1/4" in diameter and attaches to the block kinda under the exhaust manifold.
Is it leaking from the block end or the turbo end?
I've never heard of the feed line leaking at the block end.

The drain line is much fatter and usually leaks at the block end.

rcdukes · **Joined:** Mon Mar 07, 2016 12:41 pm **Posts:** 14

flash7210 wrote:

The feed line is about 1/4" in diameter and attaches to the block kinda under the exhaust manifold.
Is it leaking from the block end or the turbo end?
I've never heard of the feed line leaking at the block end.

The drain line is much fatter and usually leaks at the block end.

Yup. Just pours from the block side. I am lucky I saw it. Is there a seal or crush washer that can be replaced?

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papaindigo · **Posted:** Tue Jul 05, 2016 5:39 pm

If you zoom in on the ID parts image you will see that the block end is sort of a ball and socket joint (ball is on the block). If it's leaking there the "ball" part that bolts into the block may be loose (doubtful) or the "nut" that holds the socket onto the ball may be loose (less doubtful); or the feed line may have cracked there due to vibration (not impossible). There is no seal or crush washer at that end. There are 2 copper crush washers at the banjo fitting on the turbo.

rcdukes · **Joined:** Mon Mar 07, 2016 12:41 pm **Posts:** 14

papaindigo wrote:

If you zoom in on the ID parts image you will see that the block end is sort of a ball and socket joint (ball is on the block). If it's leaking there the "ball" part that bolts into the block may be loose (doubtful) or the "nut" that holds the socket onto the ball may be loose (less doubtful); or the feed line may have cracked there due to vibration (not impossible). There is no seal or crush washer at that end. There are 2 copper crush washers at the banjo fitting on the turbo.

Must be a crack. I broke loose the "nut" then re-tightened it without luck. Still leaks. Thanks for the info.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Tue Jul 05, 2016 8:57 pm

viewtopic.php?f=98&t=74594 at image 9 has a good pic of the supply line to block connection.

rcdukes · **Joined:** Mon Mar 07, 2016 12:41 pm **Posts:** 14

papaindigo wrote:

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=98&t=74594 at image 9 has a good pic of the supply line to block connection.

Thanks! That confirms it! Can't see the top side of that nut but oil flows freely from there and boils over running down the block to the filter. Looks like a bear to replace. Thanks again. Love this forum. So helpful.

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geordi · **Posted:** Tue Jul 05, 2016 10:14 pm

That connects to the main oil gallery - CHECK YOUR OIL LEVEL!!!!! If that is where you are getting the leak from, then you are rapidly depleting the precious oil that feeds your main crankshaft bearings and rod bearings, and if they run dry it is not a question of IF you will destroy the motor, but only one of how quickly.

I would stop running the engine until that has been resolved.

rcdukes · **Joined:** Mon Mar 07, 2016 12:41 pm **Posts:** 14

geordi wrote:

That connects to the main oil gallery - CHECK YOUR OIL LEVEL!!!!! If that is where you are getting the leak from, then you are rapidly depleting the precious oil that feeds your main crankshaft bearings and rod bearings, and if they run dry it is not a question of IF you will destroy the motor, but only one of how quickly.

I would stop running the engine until that has been resolved.

Thanks Geordi. Already parked it. Hate that but I know the consequence of ignoring this. Didn't really want to run it to pull up on the ramps.

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rcdukes · **Joined:** Mon Mar 07, 2016 12:41 pm **Posts:** 14

FIXED! No unusual noises. Hopefully I dodged a bullet. Thanks for the help all.

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Turbo oil feed or return?

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