Oil at intercooler pipe?
 

Hi,

Few days ago I found some oil leaking at intercooler pipe between turbo and the intercooler.

When I remove the pipes, there was a bit of oils, the pipe was wet with oil from turbo to intercooler.

I checked turbo, there is no shaft play, comp wheel is clean....

Why there is oil in the pipes????

I have oil catch can, is it's the problem?

It's normal. Unless you're pouring it out I wouldn't worry.

Is your catch can baffled?

Are the catch can lines hooked up to the correct places?

A little oil is fine, as it helps the air slip through the pipes, jk. If it pours out or is filling up the bottom of the intercooler, you have problems.

I think I connected correctly the hoses....

Please take a look.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353783646

It is a bit tough to say how much is too much. Almost all turbos will seep some from the front seal and oil up the intake tubes. Certainly, the oil will gather at the low point and it will find a way past the tube/hose/clamp assembly.

I'd consider two aspects: If oil smoke is coming out the taipipe when driving, there is a problem. The turbo seals are suspect.

Second: If you pull the tubes loose and more than a spoon full of oil drips out, the front seal is at least of concern.

Keep in mind that oil fumes have a real low octane.

Corky

Holy spiders nest. You have more plumbing in there then...a plumbing store.

I think the catch can doesn't connect to the intake at all, so I'd say that's not your problem.

I'd say your turbo seals are shot. I did a DIY rebuild on my little SR20 turbo, and have zero oil in my pipes. Same with my old TD-04.

I find it ironic that you have a VTA filter on the line headed to your catch can.

Thanks for everyone for the comment.

I have filter so many oil catch can comes with filter, the filter helps to evacuate cranckcase pressure.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353834888

This is my actual setup, but with PCV valve.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/atta...1&d=1147272659

I think I have more than a spoon of oil...... so, I understand that the turbo seals is gone....

Just say that the turbo is new.... with less than 200km for test drive..... chinacharger....

P.S: No exhaust smokes after drive 30kms.

What about your oil feed? It is possible your turbo is getting too much oil as well, something to consider before you tear into your turbo... Same goes for drain. If it is restricting flow it will let backed up oil weep past the seals

Mmmm my oil feed line has restrictor.....

shitty, time for new seals.

Info on your oil drain ? what size is it ? how is it routed ?

ahh thanks, I forgot to bring this back up... I did mention it as well...

so yeah, ditto.

Hi,

Routed as straight as possible.....
I will check if the rubber tube is struggled or bended.

Thanks very muuuuch for the help!

I might be looking at this wrong, but do you have both sides of your valve cover vented into the same catch can and the only way for it to vent is the VTA in the line from the hot side? Does any of that catch can configuration route back to the intake?

For the catch can, try to T the two sides into the same side of the catch can and put the vent on the other side. This will help the mist that is forced out under high crankcase pressure collect in the can before pissing all over your blue engine bay. If none of this is routed back to the intake, it won't have diddly to to with the oil in the intercooler pipes but it may help the overall consumption.

Pipes of the oil catch can doesnt go to the intake......
So I understand that the oil catch can doesnt matter to oil in my ic pipe......

Tomorrow morning will check the drain hose.

Drain hose looks like OK.

Its have small struggle on the curve but nothing important.

get those seals replaced and you should be good to go.

I have done a ton of rebuilds and the one tip I have to say is: ALWAYS mark an alignment line before disassembling and reuse the already balanced compressor nut... also its most likely reverse thread.

Just in case you didnt know.