Replace Turbo Oil Line w/ Stainless?
 

I have a leak near the oil filter on my '82 300D's hard oil line which goes to the turbo. I understand this part is not made anymore. Can't I just replace this line with braided stainless? If so, does anyone know of a "kit" out there I could use, or is there a better way at going about this?

do you mean this?

I think we're talking about the supply line.

Did the dealer tell you that it's not available?

matt, nope... what is leaking is the supply line to the top of the turbo, not the drain tube. yes, dealer said the turbo oil supply line and the transmission oil supply line are no longer manufactured. both are leaking on my car. i get one or two drips per day. anyone got any ideas?

The oil supply line should be available from a junk yard, it's easy to remove. Which transmission line are you talking about? I bought the hard lines to the transmission cooler from the dealer a year or so ago.

When we tried to buy transmission lines they said there were only a couple of each left in the world in a warehouse in Germany. And the price was insane. We ended up having new lines formed at a local shop using the original ends/fittings. Cost was about $160 for a pair....and they did a pretty good job.

I second taking the supply line from a junk car. If you're in MI I have one I could sell to you off of my parts car. :D Are you sure its the line itself that is leaking and not just the gasket?

As I recall, I only paid a couple $100 for a transmission line, but I had to wait about a week.

Unless you hit the oil line with something, I sincerely doubt the turbo's supply line is leaking since it doesn't move. Its FAR more likely the oil filter base gasket leaking. The gasket is easy to change in a few hours but usually the 5 bolts just need to be tightened.

Clean the area very well, drive for a little while and report back exactly where the oil is coming from.

thanks for all of your replies. UAofE, the line is no good. i replaced my intake/exhaust manifold gasket last week (fun job!) and bumped/bent the supply line to the turbo when disassembling the right side of the engine getting to the manifold.

How come no one hase mentioned getting one from a Junk Yard?

All the Detroit Diesels that had tubos I worked on had flexible Braided Steel Inlet Hoses with Crimped On Fittings; on them (they used Garrett/Air Research Turbos).

So, there is no technical problem other than fabricating the plates for the fittings.

See my previous post. ;)

They will move and develope a crack from vibration if the clamps are not fastened down.

I know from personal experience. when I was hooking everything on the engine while it was out, I forgot to bolt the mount on the R/R corner of the head. 4300 miles later it developed a oil leak where the line is press fitted into the banjo fitting at the oil filter housing.

I pulled one off a PNP engine, and where one of the clamps fit around the tube, it rubbed enough, it`s a wonder it didn`t leak.

Charlie