Turbo oil leak- Any ideas?

**850t5** · Tuesday 6th July 2010, 20:50

I have a 850 t5 '96 and I noticed the advisory note section that it says "oil leak". When I phoned the previous owner he said it was coming from the turbo. Does anyone know of a c9mmon cause that it could be? What's the worst case scenario?

ATB,
Danny.

**5seaterT5x2** · Tuesday 6th July 2010, 20:54

Originally Posted by 850t5

I have a 850 t5 '96 and I noticed the advisory note section that it says "oil leak". When I phoned the previous owner he said it was coming from the turbo. Does anyone know of a c9mmon cause that it could be? What's the worst case scenario?

ATB,
Danny.

usual suspect is the turbo return pipe into crank case cheap fix 1 seal 1 gasket 10/15 mins, and or oil filler cap seal letting it by it runs down over back of engine again a cheap fix

**850t5** · Tuesday 6th July 2010, 21:11

Thanks bud. Would either of those cause a lack of boost? Unless I'm getting used to the power she did seem a lil on the flat side today? Also anyone have an idea of how far the 'turbo' needle on the dash should go upto when its max'd out? At the moment mine is getting upto about 2/3rds. Not even half way into the white...

**5seaterT5x2** · Tuesday 6th July 2010, 22:52

Originally Posted by 850t5

Thanks bud. Would either of those cause a lack of boost? Unless I'm getting used to the power she did seem a lil on the flat side today? Also anyone have an idea of how far the 'turbo' needle on the dash should go upto when its max'd out? At the moment mine is getting upto about 2/3rds. Not even half way into the white...

no would not think the 2 things i mentioned would affect the boost. if you think theres a boost leak most likely one or more of the hoses is split i should think they do get a bit brittle with age bit like me

**850t5** · Tuesday 6th July 2010, 22:57

Any idea how far the turbo needle should go up?

**5seaterT5x2** · Tuesday 6th July 2010, 23:05

Originally Posted by 850t5

Any idea how far the turbo needle should go up?

memories not what it was sorry but sounds like its not to far out??? is it auto or manual? have you any fault lights up on dash?? have you checked fault codes??

**850t5** · Tuesday 6th July 2010, 23:09

Manual 5 speed. Er... fault codes? No idea. I'm not even sure how to tell which turbo it has

I'm a true newbie lol No lights come on either. Apart from the oil leak everything looks good.

**The Flying Moose** · Wednesday 7th July 2010, 05:59

I think I may have the same problem as I have oil on the back lower section of the engine, bit new to the turbo scene can anyone post a picture of where the turbo return pipe/seal/gasket is please.

**T5hug** · Wednesday 7th July 2010, 12:54

Guys i thought i had oil leak issues with my turbo too! Also new to the turbo scene. Had smoke blowing out the back and was told my turbo was burning oil!

Turned out it was the PCV system blocked. There is a pipe goes from the PCV to the intake pipe right before the turbo which was burst and leaking oil into and onto the turbo! looked bad but a cheap and easy fix!

I also had a burst boost pipe (have Reverse pipework but it was the first boost pipe from the turbo) which was also leaking oil over the turbo. This would explain the loss of boost pressure too!!

Finally i found out the oil filler seal was knackered and my rocker was literally filled with oil that was running down the back of the block!! For about 20 quid and a couple of hours work my old brick now keeps her oil to herself!!

**5seaterT5x2** · Wednesday 7th July 2010, 20:21

Originally Posted by T5hug

Guys i thought i had oil leak issues with my turbo too! Also new to the turbo scene. Had smoke blowing out the back and was told my turbo was burning oil!

Turned out it was the PCV system blocked. There is a pipe goes from the PCV to the intake pipe right before the turbo which was burst and leaking oil into and onto the turbo! looked bad but a cheap and easy fix!

yep could be that as well pcv aint to dear to sort fair amount of work but not to traumatic if reasonably competant with spanners

I also had a burst boost pipe (have Reverse pipework but it was the first boost pipe from the turbo) which was also leaking oil over the turbo. This would explain the loss of boost pressure too!!

Finally i found out the oil filler seal was knackered and my rocker was literally filled with oil that was running down the back of the block!!

yea as was mine but also for the sake of a couple quid and ten mins do the turbo oil return pipe as well.

For about 20 quid and a couple of hours work my old brick now keeps her oil to herself!!

it's amazing how much oil can get down back of engine

**T5hug** · Wednesday 7th July 2010, 23:03

Originally Posted by 5seaterT5x2

it's amazing how much oil can get down back of engine

Cant believe i may have spoken too soon!!! Went out tonight and have a drop under the car!! It is just a drop and i just hope its been a pool of oil somewhere that has been sitting!!!

850T - It might be worth phoning the garage that done your MOT and ask them what this is in relation to. It would seem strange that they would note this unless there was a huge puddle on their floor!

**850t5** · Thursday 8th July 2010, 01:26

I'll give it a go. Maybe the garage will remember the car, but like you say, if they posted the note in the 'advisory' section it doesn't warrant too much worry. Just trying to get my head around these cars if anything. Thanks for all the info people, Danny.

**850t5** · Thursday 8th July 2010, 01:27

Originally Posted by V70ETS

I think I may have the same problem as I have oil on the back lower section of the engine, bit new to the turbo scene can anyone post a picture of where the turbo return pipe/seal/gasket is please.

That would be handy....

**5seaterT5x2** · Thursday 8th July 2010, 08:58

Originally Posted by 850t5

That would be handy....

this was mine before i fixed it, the fifth picture shows the turbo oil return pipe from underneath car

http://www.vpcuk.org/forums/showthre...hlight=leaking

**850t5** · Monday 12th July 2010, 14:21

After reading a lot about pcv/pct failure I did a quick test and BINGO. White smoke coming out of my dipstick. Now I'm stuck as I've no idea about removing the pct. Anyone know of a pictorial/guide??? I've searched and searched but all I find is ppl asking the same question. Also someone said white smoke could mean the head gasket?

Is this what I'm looking for?

**5seaterT5x2** · Monday 12th July 2010, 20:34

Originally Posted by 850t5

After reading a lot about pcv/pct failure I did a quick test and BINGO. White smoke coming out of my dipstick. Now I'm stuck as I've no idea about removing the pct. Anyone know of a pictorial/guide??? I've searched and searched but all I find is ppl asking the same question. Also someone said white smoke could mean the head gasket?

Is this what I'm looking for?

pcv is mainly round front of engine under inlet manifold, has 2 pipes which run round right side of engine (as you are looking at it from in front of rad) they connect to the main air inlet pipe just in front of turbo, not as terrifying as it might sound

just found this

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=46946

**850t5** · Monday 12th July 2010, 21:15

Cheers mate. You're a handy bloke to have around

**850t5** · Tuesday 13th July 2010, 14:57

I've just spent the best part of the day in a garage. Oil return pipe checked and fine. After all that key tapping it turns out the leak is not coming from the turbo at all! The only sign of a leak is coming from the cam shaft cover gasket. The garage said its possible that the oil is dripping down to the plugs and filling up then blowing around the back of the engine. Has anyone had the same problem or any takes on this? Any input greatly received...

Danny.

**5seaterT5x2** · Tuesday 13th July 2010, 16:03

Originally Posted by 850t5

I've just spent the best part of the day in a garage. Oil return pipe checked and fine. After all that key tapping it turns out the leak is not coming from the turbo at all! The only sign of a leak is coming from the cam shaft cover gasket. The garage said its possible that the oil is dripping down to the plugs and filling up then blowing around the back of the engine. Has anyone had the same problem or any takes on this? Any input greatly received...

Danny.

doubt very much it's the cam cover, honestly as i found from personel experience i'd bet a £1 it's one or both of either the oil filler cap seal has gone hard (feel it see if it seems like it's hard (ooeer) n brittle and letting it by cheap fix and 2 mins to do. also the oil return pipe again couple quid and 10/15 mins to sort, and if it aint i'll just get my coat ;-) according to my local steeler they change the oil filler seal every service as a matter of course bout £2 a seal well worth it

**850t5** · Tuesday 13th July 2010, 17:46

The fellow at the garage said the oil return pipe was fine and that the oil was coming down the engine from above the turbo but he could'nt be sure where the actual leak was. Maybe the cam cover gasket just aided in confusing the poor bloke lol Does that sound like the oil filler seal? As you can tell from my posts, I'm not due for a mechanic of the year award yet