I have been noticing a little engine oil leakage at the connection of the turbo crossover pipe and the IM as well as around the 2 intake pipes directly below going into the head.

It's a very small amount...I find I'm losing maybe half a quart every 5,000 miles so it's more an annoyance to clean up periodically (I like my engine bays SPOTLESS!!)

At nearly 229k miles, is it safe to assume the bearing seal in the turbo is shot and allowing the oil into the intake system and it's leaking in the places I mentioned?

No other symptoms except the turbo seems a little slow to spool when the engine is cold.

If it IS time for a turbo, any suggestions as to a reliable place where I could get a replacement (OTHER than the dealer!!)?

Thanks,

J.G.

Have you checked upstream of the turbo to see if it is the crankcase breather tube?

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

I did a "cursory" check...there doesn't seem to be much more than a "nominal" amount of oil in the intake side of the turbo from the breather...seems like more downstream than upstream.

1/2 quart in 5K..........and you're concerned?

My '86 uses 2.5 quarts in 5K due to turbo seals..........you've got plenty of time before you need to dig into a turbo rebuild.

I would say 1/2 a quart in 5k miles is fantastic for a 22 year old 230k mile engine...whats the problem now?

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

When it comes to the cars...let's say I'm a little "retentive" when it comes to maintenance!! I will generally replace something when it starts showing signs of needing replacement rather than waiting until it's truly "desparately" needed...and I HATE a dirty engine compartment/leaks of ANY kind!!!

J.G.

jay,

have you checked the operation of it w/ a boost gauge? if yes, does it work well?

i have a small leak too. required a little cleaning. its not bad.

try a rebuild kit. turbocity.com sells them.

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Haven't tried a boost check. It's pretty strong and pulls hard after the engine has warmed. Definitely sluggish when cold...also a noticeable turbo spool up/down "whine" though ONLY when cold.

I forgot about Turbo City... I actually bought a couple turbos from them in the mid-later 80's for VW project cars I had "back in the day"...

J.G.

trap ox recall done? i got a freeeee turbo out of that 1 at 239k

1 more plug for mercedes customer service.

__________________
Paul
Benz-less
I need an SDL !

Yup. Trap Ox done years ago...

lol

__________________
2005 SL65
1999 E300
1995 E300
1994 SL320
1988 560SL
1987 300TD
1982 300D
1955 300SL

I've seen it happen on other cars....a migration problem causes sudden turbo failure. Maybe JimmyL can help?

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__________________
1976 240D "Katja"

Well the trunk badge of truth has spoken. Actually rear lift gate, but I'm trying to work on my OCD.

I think Jimmy has been too busy with the new car. He's slipping on the "T" patrols.

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1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI


Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

UPDATE...Found the oil leak source!...

While I had the dealer changing glow plugs, I had them check the IM gasket for the oil leak- they found several cracks in the gasket which were letting a very small amount of blowby oil (under boost) to bypass the gasket and slowly drip down the head! He said given the very small amounts I lose over time (less than 1 qt every 5k miles) and no significant axial play in the turbo bearings, I'm good to go for many more miles.

Three days later with new IM gasket, not a drip of oil to be found anywhere...AHHH, just the way I like it!

J.G.