I have noticed what I believe to be oil smoke in my exhuast (blue). Upon inspection of the turbo I see oil dripping from the exhaust out put side of it. What is this a indication of? What should be done? This truck has 180k miles on it and has worked mighty hard most of it's life. Nothing has been modified as far as the turbo goes. One cold day my cat took off with a muffler around it's neck, now I look down a straight pipe. Any chance this caused the trouble?
Thanks ... Ken

 

Sounds like the seals are gone. Before you throw a turbo at it, there are two things you should check. Make sure the crankcase vent hose isn't kinked or blocked somehow, perssure in the crankcase will push oil out the turbo seals. Also make sure that the oil drain pipe from the turbo isn't clogged.

Nothing to do with the straight pipe, much more to do with 180k of hard work.

 

The turbo can be rebuilt with a $70 kit rather easy if the seals are out.
But as Dave said check the return line first. I've seen the short section of hose at the bottom of the block where the hard line ends get kinked.

Your blowby tube could be partually blocked or valves out of adjustment also.