Obviously this is something uncommon as a search produced little information. While getting ready to store the truck for winter and changing my oil yesterday, I noticed that the frame on the right side and back surface and bottom of the compressor section of the turbocharger was wet with oil. Also the short collapsible tube from the compressor outlet to the intercooler connecting tube was wet with oil and seems to be starting to disintegrate. It appears to be made of a rubberized material of some sort. What I can't figure out is how the oil moved up and forward to get oil all over that tube. I removed the tube and can't find any oil to speak of inside the tube so the oil appears to be isolated to the outside of the air system which is good as I was concerned about the potential for engine runaway. This is something that must have started recently as I am sure I would have noticed it the last time I changed the oil 3000 miles ago. No leaks are apparent anywhere else and I have never spilled any oil there while changing the filter. If anyone can shed some light on my problem it would really be appreciated.

Casey

 

My truck is almost identical. Been this way for quite some time. Unless it drips on the ground I don't consider it an oil leak. It has never dripped on the ground. I suspect it is a bit of blowby from the turbo but am not sure.

 

Droplets are hanging from the air hose and turbo housing. Seems like the frame is wet in that area although nothing on the ground yet.

 

Yep same as mine.

 

Do you think use of the exhaust brake has anything to do with it? I checked a buddy's and it is completely dry, but then he doesn't have an exhaust brake. The connector hose from the turbo outlet is falling apart. Has string hanging from it so at least the dealer needs to deal with that. They will look at the oil leak on Thursday so it will be interesting to see what they say.

 

Casey
my '03 with 53000+ miles is dry and have had the Jacobs since new......JIM

 

There are several seals in the turbocharger assembly that could cause a leak. I downloaded a service manual from the Holset website for a breakdown of all the parts.

 

Let me know what you find.

 

Take it to the dealer.

Take the hose off of the air intake horn and see if oil is being passed through your charge air cooler. If it is, then your charge air cooler could be "fouled" and will not peform like it should (can't take as much heat out of the intake air charge).

There should be zero oil coming out of the turbocharger.

Are you sure its not leaking from the turbo oil drain gasket?

 

There is no oil in the turbo intake horn nor is there any oil inside the turbocharger tubing going to the intercooler. That was the first thing I checked as I was concerned aobut the potential for runaway. The oil leak appears to be external. I suspected the drain gasket but the drain tube itself is relatively dry. And for the life of me I cannot figure out why the compressor outlet hose is soaked. The oil seems to me to be running up and forward when I would think it would run down and back.

 

Have you checked around the oil filterhead for a leak that could go down and rearward to the compressor outlet?

Take out the whole air induction system (air filter to compressor inlet) to get a closer look.

 

Yup, did that. Nice and dry there around the oil filter mount. The oil is definitely coming from the rear surface of the compressor housing somewhere. The top of the compressor housing is completely dry.

 

Is this leak on the exhaust or intake side? mine is on the exhaust side and running down the exhaust housing It never drips on the ground but there are drips forming. If the turbo is warm, it has the consistancy of uncured rtv, and like tar when cold. it looks like it is coming from the joint between the housing and bearing housing.

 

Mine is wet right on the compressor housing, not on the exhaust side.

 

Took it in to the dealer today for them to eyeball. They called and said I can't drive the truck until they install a new turbo and wash the intercooler out. They are concerned about runaway. I checked and I sure couldn't see or feel any oil in the tubing coming from the turbo but hey, what do I know. As long as it gets fixed. I have had good service from my dealer so I am not surprised that they are putting a new unit on. Should be done next Tuesday.

Casey