onemoretruck

I have looked into the housing compressing side and saw some oil at the base of it.The fins are immaculate and shinny with no oil stuck onto them.I am looking into replacing this unit as I think the combined presence of oil and noticeable side play (just barely off the housing very small clearances when pressed sideways) call for it.

This is a 1994 with only 63K miles and the PO reassured me that oil was changed at every 2-3 K miles since new with rotella 15-40.Now what caused this to happen in such short usage? I have to figure this out before restarting with a new or rebuilt unit.I know the 82 years old PO was very gentle with this truck actually possibly too gentle and babied the motor too much but this couldn't explain the actual failure isn't it?

He also reassured me the oil level would not budge between changes..during my maiden 750 miles trip two days ago I think it went through 1/2 quart so apparently something happenned during this trip!One thing I have noticed is while on cruise control, I would experiment sudden hard deccelaration accompained by some clunking noise from underneath..like maybe driving shaft suddenly offering resistance and clunking u-joints and this would happen when getting out the cruise by rather braking or using the decellarator button. Could this (cruise malfunction?)actually caused my oil leak to devellop that rapidly?

Oil pressure while cruising 60 was a bit over 40psi and the oil at the base of the housing and both my lower intercooler boots prove there is no oil blockage to the turbo.

So I am lost here!

suggestions?
thanks,
Ronald.

infidel

Just rebuild the turbo, costs about $75 if you do it yourself. Side to side play is totally normal, fore to aft isn't.
Reason it's leaking could be the PO always shut it down when the turbo was too hot.

onemoretruck

Thanks infidel.

I will mostlikely replace the whole unit with a new as I have found a source for a new unit,with its chrysler part number in the box for 450.00 not worthed to try saving here going the rebuilt way .

Anyway my concern is how can I be sure that this oil leak is not caused by something else than a defective turbo..what I mean is what are the chances of installing a brand new unit to still have the same problem because there would be something else defective somewhere ele onto the system implicated?
I've read about possibly reduced returning oil capacity as one possibility..

Any other possibilities I should look into before spending time and money?
thanks,Ron.

infidel

About the only other thing that could cause leakage would be if the oil return line from the turbo is clogged or kinked. This usually results in black smoke though as oil leaks into the exhaust side also.
On your '94 the return is a steel line with a short section of hose down below the oil filter, check that the hose looks to be in good shape, not kinked or twisted.

You really should consider something other than a stock turbo for replacement even if you plan on keeping the truck stock. Stock turbo is 12cm, go for one with a 14cm housing for more power and better mpgs.

onemoretruck

any precise model to suggest? Would this demand installing any other parts or that would be it?Would I need to bump timing? Have to get guages?
thanks,
Ron.

I am close to total ignorance when venturing into boosting power with the cummins...could you suggest a model and where could be found? Would installing such one calls for any other "performance" parts at all?

adykstra

Good thing you found it now, before it got worse. A turbo seal leak can allow enough oil to leak by it and cause a runaway engine.

infidel

What I suggest you do is contact the great folks at High Tech Turbo (801) 304-0700 and see what they recommend. You'll probably get away with a better turbo at a better price than what you were looking at elsewhere.

JKM

Be careful in which turbo you select in the end , some will require you to change your exhaust down pipe to a larger one for a 4" turbo outlet.

Firstgenner

Onemoretruck,

Pm'd you.