Is Your Turbo Leaking Oil?
Does your turbo have oil seeping or dripping out of it?
Let’s go over some common causes and straighten it out.

1️Worn or Failing Turbo Oil Seals / Bearings

Why it happens
• High mileage
• Poor oil quality
• Oil starvation
• Excessive shaft play

What you’ll notice
• Oil inside compressor or turbine housing
• Blue smoke from exhaust (especially on boost)
• Wet turbo inlet/outlet pipes

Quick check
Remove intake pipe → look for oil pooling and feel for shaft wobble
⚠️ A tiny film is normal — puddles are not.

2️Restricted or Poorly Routed Oil Drain Line (VERY common)

Why it happens
• Line clogged with sludge/carbon
• Hose kinked or too small diameter
• Drain doesn’t slope downward enough

What happens
Oil can’t flow out fast enough → backs up → forces past seals

Symptoms
• Oil seepage around turbo
• Leaks worse under boost/high RPM
• No major smoke initially

Fix
✔️ Clean or replace drain
✔️ Ensure gravity-fed downward slope (no dips)

3️Excess Crankcase Pressure (PCV/Breather Issues)

Why it happens
• Clogged PCV valve
• Bad breather system
• Worn piston rings (blow-by)

What happens
Pressure pushes oil out of turbo seals

Signs
• Oil leaks in multiple spots
• Dipstick pops up
• Oily intake pipes

Quick test
Remove oil cap at idle — if it blows air hard → pressure issue

4️Too Much Oil Pressure or Restrictor Missing

(common on ball bearing turbos)

Why it happens
• No oil restrictor installed
• Wrong size restrictor
• High pressure from built engines

Result
Forces oil past seals

Symptoms
• Fresh oil leaks
• Happens soon after turbo install

5️Overheating / Oil Coking

Why it happens
• No cooldown after hard driving
• Old oil
• Poor cooling

What happens
Burnt oil turns into carbon → blocks drain → kills seals

Signs
• Thick black sludge
• Leaks after hot runs

✅ Quick Troubleshooting Order

1️Check oil drain line first
2️Check PCV/crankcase pressure
3️Inspect turbo for shaft play & oil inside
4️Verify oil feed/restrictor
5️Look for heat damage

Final Reminder

Your turbocharger is like a vital organ to your vehicle.
With proper setup and care, they can be extremely durable.

Always:
• Use quality oil at regular intervals
• Keep a clean and clear drain line
• Let it cool down properly after a hard run
• Maintain proper crankcase ventilation

This will help you get years of reliable service from your turbo.

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