Hi all - just got an old and in not so good of shape 87 300SDL. The turbo blows some major black/grey smoke when i hit the boost, and I get white smoke when she idles. I am fairly certain there is an oil leak in the turbo.

Can I remove the turbo charger, and get a piece to connect to the exhaust without completely messing up everything. I am fine with no turbo for now if its an easy fix.

If not - anyone know the best way to diagnose the suspected oil leak from the turbo?

Thanks

PC

It's easy to pull the crossover tube (over the top of the valve cover) to isolate cold-side oil leaks and blowby via PCV, but you won't have any boost during the test.

The turbo will be easier to evaluate when you have the head off to do the gasket and possibly replace the (cracked?) head. Bummer.

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James Marriott
2003 Buick Regal
1983 300D (228k, frau Auto)
1996 Suburban K2500 (192k, 6.5 turbo diesel/4WD towmaster 10,000)
www.engineeringworks.biz
1987 300SDL junker 170k
1982 300SD junker, 265k

Unfortunately, there is no easy connection piece to insert if the turbo is removed. You really need to replace it, if it's the culprit.

That being said, the conclusion of the turbo being the culprit is probably premature.

If the turbo is leaking oil into the intake stream, the symptom is as follows............depending on severity:

At idle, the engine runs perfectly fine with very little smoke. The oil is leaking and pooling near the turbo, but the airstream does not have sufficient velocity to lift it up to the crossover pipe.

After sitting for 10 or 15 minutes (or less if it is severe)..........open the rack and raise the rpm's to about 2500. If oil is the culprit, there will be an enveloping fog of bluish white smoke. The smell will be unmistakable.

You might appreciate my saga with the same vehicle:


http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/138131-175-mpg-sdl.html

Someone was selling an OM603 manifold to turbocharge an M103. It stands to reason you can fit an M103 (300E) exhaust manifold on an OM603. Plumb a duct from the air cleaner to the crossover pipe. It might cost you less time and money to buy a good used turbo.

Sixto
87 300D

- worried you might be onto something there. The head was replaced not too long ago - could be reblown?

Im going to pull the whole thing apart this weekend - see if I can get some answers about whats leaking in there. Ill take off the crossover tube, and see what I get.

Did an oil change with full 8 quarts about 2 weeks ago - driven maybe 1k miles, and getting low oil level already. Getting white smoke at idle (can see at night) - *seems to go away as reach speed...but cant tell.

Brian certainly had experience with his fog machine before replacing the turbo.
You can check the bearings for end and side-to-side play perhaps that will be easy proof the bearings are allowing oil to get sucked into the intake.
The thing will not get out of its own way with the crossover pipe off or sans-turbo (= forget about driving it with no turbo!).
You may want to do a leakdown test also but I would put a bet that you have a cracked head with the exception that usually causes a loss of coolant.

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

Hello all

I have 1987 300 sdl, runs great no smoke, but getting it to take off, sorta like fred flintstone, once she is up to about 30 mph, runs good but still not a speed demon, no oil use,,no smoke just no take off....waste gate appears to be froze up,,,,,considering removing and trying to clean turbo, I can find parts for the turbo rebuild, so machine shop is only option.......................what is anyones opinion Thanks