Oil Pooled in Boost Hose - How to Diagnose?

[spooltime]

While recently changing my spark plugs, I discovered about 1/4 cup of oil collected in the lower driver's side boost (pressure) hose that attaches to the intercooler. Didn't necessarily appear to be fresh, but not sure.  I change my own oil, so I know with certainty that the engine has never been overfilled, at least during my ownership.

 

Are there any diagnostic procedures I can do identify the possible culprit?

[PWS]

If it's a little oil, that's normal. If there is major oil, it's a bad Turbo.

[JFP in PA]

34 minutes ago, spooltime said:

While recently changing my spark plugs, I discovered about 1/4 cup of oil collected in the lower driver's side boost (pressure) hose that attaches to the intercooler. Didn't necessarily appear to be fresh, but not sure.  I change my own oil, so I know with certainty that the engine has never been overfilled, at least during my ownership.

 

Are there any diagnostic procedures I can do identify the possible culprit?

 

You could start with a leak down test to check the sealing condition of the rings.  You could also take a peek at the turbo to see if it has oil inside of it on the intake side.

[spooltime]

21 minutes ago, JFP in PA said:

 

You could start with a leak down test to check the sealing condition of the rings.  You could also take a peek at the turbo to see if it has oil inside of it on the intake side.

Wouldn't I be seeing exhaust smoke (i.e., burning oil) if the rings are going? 

 

Not sure how to peek at the intake side of the turbo.  Would this be looking in opening where the exhaust manifold mounts to the turbo unit?  Or somewhere else?

 

And if it gets to the point where a rebuild or replacement is necessary,  who are the preferred specialists for performing a rebuild?  Or am I just better off buying a reman unit and going with that?  It's a stock K24 unit.

[PWS]

Whichever side is the easiest to get to. Look for Oil ans excessive play in the Shaft.

 

[spooltime]

1 hour ago, PWS said:

Whichever side . . . 

 

Just to clarify, you mean either the exhaust inlet or the exhaust outlet?

[PWS]

Either side. All you have to do is is be able to measure the play in the Turbine Shaft.  

[JFP in PA]

2 hours ago, spooltime said:

Wouldn't I be seeing exhaust smoke (i.e., burning oil) if the rings are going? 

 

Not sure how to peek at the intake side of the turbo.  Would this be looking in opening where the exhaust manifold mounts to the turbo unit?  Or somewhere else?

 

And if it gets to the point where a rebuild or replacement is necessary,  who are the preferred specialists for performing a rebuild?  Or am I just better off buying a reman unit and going with that?  It's a stock K24 unit.

 

Not necessarily, it all depends upon how bad the rings are.  A good leak down across the board would eliminate any engine issues and tell you the oil problem lies elsewhere; the question then becomes where.

 

Easiest way to look at the turbo is to disconnect the intake side, looking for evidence of oil and check the turbo's shaft for movement side to side; there should be no play.  People seem to forget the turbo's are pressure lubricated by engine oil, and if the shaft develops play, oil will leak towards the intake side due to the presence of intake vacuum on that side.

 

If it is leaking oil, it needs to be replaced or rebuilt.  A new one is going to run $3k from the dealer, or you could check locally and see who rebuilds them in your area.  As you are in Jake Raby's backyard, I would call his shop and ask who they use.