I don't want to join the "replaced my turbo" club, but there is engine oil leaking out of the join between the intake manifold and crossover pipe on my 1992 W124 602 300D.

I first hoped it was just the gasket, but then I thought - there shouldn't be oil at that junction, unless it's coming from the turbo. I don't know much about turbos, but I don't think they should be throwing oil right?

Help!

Paul

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1983 240D Silver/Blue "Sadie", unknown miles. 100k miles on WVO single tank, converted to 2 tank about 10k miles ago, FPHE, Injector Heaters, Aux Fuel pump. Alcohol/Water injection. Frantz oil bypass filter
1992 300D 2.5 Turbo Green/Tan "Jade" 267K miles Stock.
1992 300D 2.5 tan/tan "Rocky" on 2 tank WVO. Pressure actuated Turbo "rat's nest" surgery completed. 197k miles

There will always be SOME oil in the intake tract of your engine.1 the crankcase vent blows oil fumes into the intake tube just before the turbo,the turbo then happily spins these vapors and blows them into the intake.2 A failing seal in the turbo can also add some oil to the intake. If you are not experiencing excessive oil consumption your oil in the manifold is probably normal.Replace the gasket and make sure the gasket surface on the crossover is not warped from the bolts having been overtightened. My $.02 Don

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Red Green "This is only temporary,Unless it works!"

97 E300D 157000 miles
87 300TD ?141k? miles

I had the same symptoms with my 1992.

I replaced the gasket and the o-ring for the cross-over pipe. That stopped the oil leak.

But now, why is there oil in there? Most likely cause is blow-by/crankcase ventilation (tube that connects your valve cover to the turbo inlet) thats carrying tiny droplets of oil back into the intake... Plus the exhaust gas recirculation system that returns exhaust gases into the intake to create this famous goo inside the intake manifold...

So, this is not normal to see oil leaking from there (especially if that is a bad leak). But to see some oil does happen.

I would recommend to consider the following points:

1- Have you noticed your engine oil level go down much faster than usual? On my car (which is in the 300k mi range) I tend to see a oil consumption of 1L in 10 000km. I think this is quite reasonable.

2- Is your car still performing ok? How is Turbo boost? 10psi should be obtained quite easily past 2500rpm.

3- Any oil in the exhaust? If the turbo seals are dead, there could be oil leak towards the exhaust wheel of the turbo.


I am no turbo expert, but I don't think you should start shopping for a turbo just now.

Good luck,

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BigBen

'98 E300 Turbodiesel 244 000km
RIP '92 300D 2,5 Turbo 632 859,4km due to engine failure

Do a search for "EGR kit" in the forum...and I'm NOT advising in any way that you bypass emission controls.

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1987 300D (230,000 mi on a #14 head-watching the temp gauge and keeping the ghost in the machine)
Raleigh NC - Home of deep fried sushi!

Thanks Guys.

I'll take the cross over off and see if there is oil coming from the turbo, or if it seems to be coming from the EGR. Then put it on nicely and tighten. Maybe even some of my favorite black silicon sealer

I've tried the EGR replacement route - but couldn't find a way to bypass the computer - on the 602, if there is a missing input from the EGR it shuts down the turbo. You can get rid of the EGR on a W123, because it doesn't have a brain.

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1983 240D Silver/Blue "Sadie", unknown miles. 100k miles on WVO single tank, converted to 2 tank about 10k miles ago, FPHE, Injector Heaters, Aux Fuel pump. Alcohol/Water injection. Frantz oil bypass filter
1992 300D 2.5 Turbo Green/Tan "Jade" 267K miles Stock.
1992 300D 2.5 tan/tan "Rocky" on 2 tank WVO. Pressure actuated Turbo "rat's nest" surgery completed. 197k miles

Shouldn't use silicone sealer, you have a catalytic converter.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Really? PLease explain about the silicone and catalytic converters, I didn't know they interacted.

I was meaning the black permatex hitemp goop - I don't remember the name of it. Is that silicone?

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1983 240D Silver/Blue "Sadie", unknown miles. 100k miles on WVO single tank, converted to 2 tank about 10k miles ago, FPHE, Injector Heaters, Aux Fuel pump. Alcohol/Water injection. Frantz oil bypass filter
1992 300D 2.5 Turbo Green/Tan "Jade" 267K miles Stock.
1992 300D 2.5 tan/tan "Rocky" on 2 tank WVO. Pressure actuated Turbo "rat's nest" surgery completed. 197k miles

Have all North American W124.128 a catalytic converter???
Bought recently such a model and it is just too cold to crawl underneath the car

OTE=babymog;1777960]Shouldn't use silicone sealer, you have a catalytic converter.[/QUOTE]

As far as I know all 124.128's in the US/Canada didn't get cats. I read somewhere that the computer control of the EGR and boost pressure in addition to the angled prechambers cleaned it up enough to get rid of the cat.

Mine doesn't have a cat...it says so under the hood near the A/C info.

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Dale

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1...MG_2277sig.jpg

1990 300D 2.5 Turbo -155k
2000 E430 - 103k
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ecodiesel 4x4 - 11k
2014 VW Passat TDI SE - 7k Bro's Diesel
2006 E320 CDI - 128k Pop's Benz

Pre-glow - A moment of silence in honor of Rudolph Diesel

Oops sorry, wrong engine.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff