Oil in fresh air intake of turbo charger 124 300D

I noticed oil leaking from turbo charger compressor housing. Pulled fresh air intake hose and noticed oil pooled in the compressor intake. There did not appear to be a lot of oil in the air intake hose. Oil consumption is not high.

Does this mean that the axial bearing bushing is leaking? How long can this go on before it becomes a serious problem? Can it be left alone until oil consumption becomes noticeable?

Any thoughts appreciated - Ron

[psfred]

This is usually a blowby issue, and if oil consumption isn't high, usually valve guide seals.

Turbo seal leaks usually result in blue smoke, but can also show up as oil in the intake. You need to check for blowby by disconnecting the hose and seeing how much comes out. Have a care, the hose is BRITTLE with age and heat!

If it is the turbo, plan on a cartridge soon -- once the seals are leaking, the bearings are shot.

Peter

Peter - thank you for your input. Not want I wanted to hear that it is possibly the turbo seals.

Ron

[psfred]

Ron:

I didn't particularly want to find out that the PO had left water in my 280 SE, either! But I know what you mean! Oil collects there -- clean it all out and see how long it takes to collect again.

My Volvo uses a quart every 1000 miles or so, all of it ends up in the intake, but replacing valve guide seals on that engines is such a pain I've been putting it off. Probably need to, though, no need to waste oil.

Peter

Peter - on blowby, wouldn't it be noticed when removing the oil fill cap? I do not notice any "white cloud" coming from the the oil fill opening. I have seen this with other cars. I was able to ram my fingers into the air intake hose and found oil in it. Maybe that is good news, at least if it is not the turbo, I don't have to worry about it self destructing. If it is the valve seals, can live with that until oil consumption is noticeable.

Is there any way to really tell if it is the turbo seals w/o removing the turbo? Would the turbo shaft feel loose?

Thanks - Ron

Peter - I noticed you have an 87 300D. What other problems can I expect?

I know I have to replace the ac evaporator, and seal to the Bowden? (pressure control cable) cable of the transmission.

Other things that should be replaced are the radiator due to possible neck failure and the B2 piston in the trans.

Have you done any of this to yours?

Ron

[psfred]

Ron:

To date, just exactly one year, I have replaced a bad thermostat, replaced the vac cutoff, replaced the pressure valve seals in the IP, and fixed the sunroof. I have also disconnected the vac lines for the air recirc and EGR since the actuators are shot. That's it (the tire repair isn't MB related). Oh, and I changed the oil, too. I've put about 8000 miles on it. Spread over three running cars, I don't put much milage on any of them!

All horror stories aside, if you maintain these cars properly, they run forever. You can expect to need a head gasket in the 160,000 mile range (or interval, actually), and watch that rad -- mine was already replaced when the PO bought it (I got a $2000 discount because it didn't run right, the pressure valve seals fixed that).

There are still a few fiddly things wrong -- I need to finish the sunroof (I have to paint the cover and around the seal), one headrest is broken/stuck, the cargo nets were ripped off the back of the seats, and the headlights are strange, but that's it. No indications of further trouble.

As far as blowby goes, all cars have some, and diesels tend to have a bit more. The oil collects in the turbo intake, and while it may appear that there is a lot there, mine was wet (using a quart or less in 6000 miles), there didn't appear to be any on the compressor. The Volvo uses about six times as much, and the compressor is definitely oily. New cart, though, so I know it isn't the turbo.

You will get oil in the intake because it gets sucked out of the engine when the turbo comes up. You will DEFINITELY notice the turbo on this car -- feels like a JATO bottle! If it doesn't stand up and roar at 2100 rpm, the turbo is shot!

B2 piston is a very typical problem on these cars, but look at it this way -- on a GM you would be replacing the entire tranny, not a pison seal! My Chevy work van is on tranny #3 at 295,000 miles. No engine work though.

Peter

Peter - thank you for your insights.

Ron