Oil leak source?

[Lumberjackchuck]

So I just picked up a 1993 7.3 IDI factory turbo, and there appears to be a huge oil leak in the engine valley/back of the engine.

The valve covers are 100% leaking but I’d be surprised if they are responsible for this mess. It looks like oil sprayed all over the firewall.

there was also some oil in the inlet of the turbo that I wiped out, not sure if the turbo is leaking or if that is from the crank ventilation

There definitely is a fuel leak in the return lines and I have a kit to replace them. Also doing the glow plugs since they are all shot.

Not sure about this oil leak though? Could it be from the turbo?

 

[Nero]

Oil in the compressor inlet is normal, that's from the crankcase breather.

It looks like it may be the turbo drain grommet? I'd clean it out as best you can then keep an eye out on it, rather than load up the parts cannon.

 

[Black dawg]

Is the cdr system intact and not restricted?

 

[Lumberjackchuck]

Is the cdr system intact and not restricted?

Yes. Doing a little more research, it seems that everyone generally agrees that a little oil in the compressor inlet from the CDR is normal.

My main concern is all the oil that is sprayed back there. But I’m thinking the only possible for source or that would either be the turbo or the valve covers

 

[Black dawg]

Hard to tell, but looks like in the picture the turbo drain grommet is messed up in the 12 0 clock position??

 

[Old Goat]

First I would pressure wash the area to see exactly where the oil is coming from.

There is a drain at the back of the valley Pan, to drain water, Diesel etc...down the back of the engine, Bell Housing.
That won`t spray oil like you have.
Later when you get this problem worked out, and later on you do have something leaking down the back side, you are aware of it.


Goat

 

[Cant Write]

I agree with Old Goat. I personally like full strength simple green.

The EGR on my TDI came out like this..

You must be registered for see images attach

And overnight in a highball glass of full strength simple green.....then a soft bristled tooth brush worth of scrubbing......

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Nero]

Be careful which degreaser you use though. Cleaned a TDI intake manifold with purple power, it eroded the aluminum, which then settled at the bottom of the bucket and re-adhered to the intake, screwing up the flange.
Usually I scrape off as much with a small pick or screwdriver, then scrub at it with diluted degreaser. Glad yours wasn't destroyed in the meantime though!

 

[Cant Write]

Had no clue that could happen. Glad Mr. Murphy didn't slap me across the head like normal. I will try to remember and stay away from purple power.

PP must make simple green look like child’s play.

 

[Nero]

It is some amazing stuff, just be careful will aluminum. I hate cleaning buildup on those intakes, that black tacky soot gets everywhere. Makes me wonder which is worse, it or silver anti seize

 

[hacked89]

you have oil all over your downpipe and hot side. Be careful of fire. Looks like something is spraying that’s not your drain. Your drain filling The Valley pan is common but looks like you have more leaks than that. Almost like it could be your turbo oil feed line.

 

[Black dawg]

Look how clean the nut is on the feed line at the block.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

Almost like it could be your turbo oil feed line.

Look how clean the nut is on the feed line at the block.

I noticed that too. It looks like oil is sitting on top of the nut. It would be a place to keep an eye on.
Here's my thought. Yes oil is being blown around somehow. There is A LOT of oil on the back side of the intake, which would be the fire wall, up and down pipes, and basically everything else in that area. If you look at the last picture, there is also oil around the front side of the intake hat/snail and the cable mounting brackets. I'm wondering if the seal underneath the intake hat is bad or maybe the bolt that holds the hat down is loose. That is the best way that I can see oil being all around the intake hat. All of the other places will leak oil, but will any of them actually cause a widely dispersed spray like is in these pictures? A boost leak certainly could. We all know that blowby gasses contain a small amount of oil and they do go through the turbo to be boosted into the intake. I may be completely wrong on that one, but that's where I'd lay my money.
Of course there could be multiple oil leaks and the best thing, as mentioned above, is to clean this up the best that you can and keep an eye on it for leaks.

 

[Lumberjackchuck]

I noticed that too. It looks like oil is sitting on top of the nut. It would be a place to keep an eye on.
Here's my thought. Yes oil is being blown around somehow. There is A LOT of oil on the back side of the intake, which would be the fire wall, up and down pipes, and basically everything else in that area. If you look at the last picture, there is also oil around the front side of the intake hat/snail and the cable mounting brackets. I'm wondering if the seal underneath the intake hat is bad or maybe the bolt that holds the hat down is loose. That is the best way that I can see oil being all around the intake hat. All of the other places will leak oil, but will any of them actually cause a widely dispersed spray like is in these pictures? A boost leak certainly could. We all know that blowby gasses contain a small amount of oil and they do go through the turbo to be boosted into the intake. I may be completely wrong on that one, but that's where I'd lay my money.
Of course there could be multiple oil leaks and the best thing, as mentioned above, is to clean this up the best that you can and keep an eye on it for leaks.

You are 100 % right. The bolt holding the snail thing above the intake was completely loose. I pulled it out by hand. And the gasket below it was sticking out on one side.

Does anyone know where I can get this gasket? Also I guess I’ll have to take the turbo off. Anyone have a guide on that? Looks like it will be a PITA.

 

[Nero]

Russ sells them, I wonder if he'll part with just the o ring... Give him a hollar.
https://russrepair.com/ats-093-install-kit/

As for replacing it, you may be able to pivot up the intake hat enough just to replace the seal without turbo removal.