I've had an oil leak for a couple weeks now, and after tightening one thing after another, and cleaning over and over, it seems that the leak is coming from somewhere in the middle of my return line.

It gets all over the downpipe and oil pan, but it's dry at the turbo end.

So my question is, does it seem plausible that the stainless braided line could crack or break somehow?

The line itself probably has 10k miles on it, being off a previous turbo kit, but has never leaked before.

Could I buy a silicone hose instead, or is it not up to the task?

 

They can, dirt and such gets under/between the braids and wears on the line. Its more common with steel braided brake lines though (the uncoated type).

It is just normal rubber line under it afterall. I'd keep with the braided and just put an electrical shrinkwrap tube over it (if it really did crack in the first place) as preventitive.