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I have not, I torque them to 35lbAny other words of wisdom for turbo oil leak at the base?
Have you seen this issue before?
Is the torque maybe too much or too low?
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I have not, I torque them to 35lbAny other words of wisdom for turbo oil leak at the base?
Have you seen this issue before?
Is the torque maybe too much or too low?
One thing about many of these machines is that they sat around for a long time before they were actually auctioned off. Normally when you run them a bit the rings reset and the blow-by improves. Not sure how much you have run yours now, but assuming you have had it a while since this thread is older.Ok, so I finally got around to install the new turbo cartridge, new gaskets, new turbo bolts, unblocked the wastegate (it is moving smoothly now), but there is not much change. The blow-by is the same and it still leaks oil at the turbo base, maybe less than before.
I tightened the two turbo bolts little by little alternating from each side to about 30 ft-lbs as there is no torque info in the manual.
In one GM manual I found it says 33 to 44 ft-lb and on the flashoffroad site it says "Turbocharger Mount Bolts 43 ft-lb".
I have another set of bolts and another seal to try, has anyone dealt with a similar oil leak like this before?
Did you inspect the mounting surface for the turbo and the turbo itself very carefully?Ok, so I finally got around to install the new turbo cartridge, new gaskets, new turbo bolts, unblocked the wastegate (it is moving smoothly now), but there is not much change. The blow-by is the same and it still leaks oil at the turbo base, maybe less than before.
I tightened the two turbo bolts little by little alternating from each side to about 30 ft-lbs as there is no torque info in the manual.
In one GM manual I found it says 33 to 44 ft-lb and on the flashoffroad site it says "Turbocharger Mount Bolts 43 ft-lb".
I have another set of bolts and another seal to try, has anyone dealt with a similar oil leak like this before?
Yes, I took a close look and one thing that doesn't look right is that the small side of the snowman seal seats lower than the larger side, almost level with the engine block edge, giving the feeling that there is very little to no compression present when the turbo cartridge is installed. I ignored it thinking that it would be very unlikely for it to be machined wrong, but I will take it apart again and try to use a second seal, sliced longitudinally to make it thinner and see if the leak stops with a fatter seal. I think I have a way to remove just the cartridge without removing the whole turbo assembly. Here is all put together, looks a lot better than when I got the truck:Did you inspect the mounting surface for the turbo and the turbo itself very carefully?
Any damage, dings etc. could cause your issue, even thought there is no valid reason to run synthetic oil in a Detroit I don't think that would be your issue here.
It is a very simple setup as far as the seal goes but any damage to the mounting surfaces can cause an
Just a quick update, I fixed all the oil leaks (so far it looks good) and replaced the synthetic Shell Rotella T6 with conventional 15W-40 (couldn't find Valvoline HD in my area and got Chevron Delo 400 SDE HD). I run Rotella T6 on my other HMMWV (same 6.5TD engine) with zero blowby and no leaks or issues and really didn't expect any dramatic change, but did it just to eliminate any potential variable and have a baseline.One thing about many of these machines is that they sat around for a long time before they were actually auctioned off. Normally when you run them a bit the rings reset and the blow-by improves. Not sure how much you have run yours now, but assuming you have had it a while since this thread is older.
I would get all of your leaks corrected and then do an oil change and ditch the synthetics. I am not sure how much truth there is to it, but I have heard that synthetic oil tends to create more leaks, so an oil change using regular 15W/40 diesel oil might help with the leaks and rings. I had some blowback in both of mine, but no leaks. I used Valvoline Premium Blue HD Conventional Diesel Oil 15w-40 in mine, and it runs well, no leaks and the blow back is all gone now. I specifically did not put the synthetic in it because I was told it was more prone to drips and leaks in older diesels, although I put it in all my personal vehicles. Again, I am not sure how valid that claim is about the diesel leaks, but I have heard it many times. Mine purrs on the regular Valvoline 15W-40, so it seems to be a good choice.
Not yet, tried the easier things first and that would be next, looking to get a testing kit.Have you pressure tested each cylinder? That would answer a great many questions all at once.
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