Just opened the Intake Manifold and Crossover Pipe to find a LOT of oil sludge in both. Also, wiping inside the block openings, walls are soaked in oil. This is a fairly new to me '90 350SDL w/ 194K miles. Since Ive had it Ive had erratic and heavy oil consumption from 1 qt every 400 miles to over 700 miles. Seems to be related to driving speed. How dry should this crossover be? I'm hoping this means a turbo problem and not a rod bending problem. Car drives great.
I've got a fuel delivery valve which is leaking sooo - Now that the o-rings and springs and copper seals have arrived in the mail I figured I would remove the manifold to get at the del. valves and thus look for oil in the manifold - BINGO!
I'm also going to do a compression test and get some baseline numbers on this engine. Can I do a comp. test with the intake manifold off? Also, the holes in the block for each cylinder - Is this the pre-chamber Im looking into or the head?

Ill be back at it tomorrow so Ill keep you posted. Id like to hear any comments you all may have.

Thanks Bert - NH

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1979 300SD 83k miles Astro Silver Metallic/Black leather #3447
1990 350SDL 202k miles (3L engine from an 87 300D)Black/Grey leather
2006 Pleasure-Way Class B MoHo (Sprinter chassis) 134k miles
2005 E320CDI 270k (car is sooo fast - I can't believe it's a diesel!!!)