Bad turbo seal??

Tinman · **Joined:** Mon Apr 10, 2006 10:45 am **Posts:** 308

I recently prophylactically replaced the glow plugs with the steel units. (Easy job except for getting the intake all back together.

) Two things I noticed. 1.) I was disappointed with the amount of soot in the egr circuit and the intake. No enough to worry with, but more than I would have thought with ORM then GDE since about 15K miles. #2.) Very unexpectedly, there was some oil in the intake, before the FCA. Driver side intake was coated. So I looked at the turbo side. There was some oil there but not as bad. Just a light coated from the compressor housing to the IC. Compressor wheels has no oil and NO play. Only thing I can figure is the turbo seal is leaking. It isn't nearly as bad as I would think one would be if it has the stock CCV. This engine has had EHM (now with provent, vented to atmosphere) since about 15K. If I'm correct, where do I look for either a rebuild turbo or a seal kit? It has about 140K on the clock.

Glend · **Posted:** Sat Dec 28, 2013 4:57 pm

There is normally a slight lick of oil sitting at the turbo neck flange where the hose attaches and yes there is a small amount of seal weep but nothing to be worried about. Oil in the hose near the flow control valve is normal for a vehicle without a Provent but should disapppear on vehicles with a Provent and a GDE tune - unless it s residual blow through from intercooler trapped oil.
So don't worry about the turbo seal.

Tinman · **Joined:** Mon Apr 10, 2006 10:45 am **Posts:** 308

That's what has got me worried, this engine has had the EHM since nearly new. (I just put the Provent in there a few years ago to get rid if the EHM smoke. It is still vented to atmosphere.) If the oil on the intake side is from the turbo it would have to be enough to get thru the IC. That seems to be more than usual weeping.

diesel_guy86 · **Posted:** Sun Dec 29, 2013 10:26 am

The only real seal on a turbo is a piston ring on the turbine end. On the compressor end there's a flanged sleeve that runs on a thrust washer. The centrifugal force coupled with boost keeps oil from pushing out the front. A bad turbo seal will drain your oil pan fairly quickly, its not a lil weep.
I think everyone else is right, I'd bet there's some oil in the bottom of the compressor housing, and in the intercooler that keeps getting blown around.

Hexus · **Posted:** Sun Dec 29, 2013 10:49 am

Yep, it's not a cause for concern. You can fix these engines to death, literally.

Tinman · **Joined:** Mon Apr 10, 2006 10:45 am **Posts:** 308

OK, that sounds good, but what's the source of the oil? Last time I looked in the turbo side IC boot, it was clean (several years ago). Now black with oily film. I noticed yesterday that it it bad enough that it is weeping out the compressor outlet where the boot connects so the outside of the housing has a little oil on it.

kjjet · **Posted:** Mon Dec 30, 2013 9:11 pm

x4 Oil there is normal. The first time I saw oil there with my Provent, I had an uneasy feeling also. I do my best to keep this CRD in top condition. It sounds like you do also. Be assured that's the least of things you need to be worried about. Small blow by of oil is normal.

Things to worry about? How's your Head Gasket? How's your Rockers? How's your Timing Belt? Fuel Filter? Air Filter? Thermostat? Sorry I'm getting carried away.

Good Luck
KJJET

Tinman · **Joined:** Mon Apr 10, 2006 10:45 am **Posts:** 308

All righty then, I won't worry. I still don't like it. Last thing I need now is something else to work on. And since you ask. Timing belt, water pump thermostat done at 100K. Head gasket, not leaking. Fuel filter - Standayne FM100 with 2 micron John Deere filter (I love seeing that JD element under the hood.) Air filter - previous oil analysis have always looked good, haven't done it in a while though. Rockers, don't know, not sure I want to.

While we are on the subject: How do you suppose changing to 15W40 oil will affect this? I figure it will improve. I plan on changing at next OCI since I have a 55 gallon drum of Delo 400 CI-4+ now.

Thanks for the input.

kjjet · **Posted:** Mon Dec 30, 2013 10:11 pm

Sounds like you have things under control. I have not seen a bad oil analysis yet. mine was good, then a rocker broke. Go figure. This on going Head Gasket issue we are seeing is worrying me most.

A lot has been said about oil. All I can say is change it often. 5 to 6k max.

Don't forget to change all the drive train fluid. Jeeps love to chew up rear ends!

Good luck
KJJET

Tinman · **Joined:** Mon Apr 10, 2006 10:45 am **Posts:** 308

Driveline fluids get love to. I've been using a 10k oil change interval with good UOA. I'm gonna switch to 6k interval when I change to the other oil.

Bad turbo seal??

Who is online