leaky turbo... + pics

[unclebob]

Bought my Altea on the 7th of June with 83k on the clock from a car supermarket.

Has full SH with Seat with only one late service - the last one done - (should have been 73k but was done at 79k.

Decided ill be doing an oil + filter change every 5-6k, so wipped off the protective tray under the car today to do the change. Looking around under it, ive spotted what i think to be the turbo covered in oil at the back of the engine bay.

The car has a 2.0 TDI (140) engine - BKD
So far ive not seen any smoke signals from the back of the car, other then some black smoke when revving really hard.


1) Am i looking at the turbo? If you have your head under the car looking up, its on the drivers side, behind the main engine block, prob about midway up.

2) Is it a turbo failure/on its way to failing?

3) How long is the fault likely to have been present? is it likely that it was there before i purchased the car + put on 2.7k on it?

 

[unclebob]

Got some photos, sorry about the quality- lying under the car with a canon SLR doesnt leave any space to get my eye behind the view finder...

I'm looking at the "thing" behind the black driveshaft (BTW also covered to some extent in oil!)

 

[Ibiza 130 tdi]

The oil feed pipe obviously doesnt have a split in it or something like that?

 

[unclebob]

Couldnt really get to it to have a proper look,
havent noticed any substantial loss in oil though ive only had the car for 2 months.

Is it accessable from the top of the engine bay?

 

[glynnd]

That all looks fine to me.
As the pcv vents back into the intake pipe then its possible to get some staining on the compressor housing.
Glynn

 

[Ibiza 130 tdi]

Im not too clued up on those engines fella - but if it's like mine then you can only get to it from underneath. Bit of a pain really.

 

[unclebob]

That all looks fine to me.
As the pcv vents back into the intake pipe then its possible to get some staining on the compressor housing.
Glynn

if thats the case someone at Seat must be a muppet not to have designed it to vent away from itself?

Should i get it checked or is it possible to check it though VAG for performance etc? As I got the car though a dealer less then 2 months ago, I want to be able to take it back if there is a problem. If i leave it, and there is a problem I may not be able to do that!

 

[glynnd]

If you are talking oil feed then its not easy to get to from the bottom!
To get to that part its will be from the top. Would be unusual for the feed pipe to leak, its metal, the union would have to start leaking suddenly and thats unlikely too.
Best way to check is get your hand around the base of the turbo and feel for any damp oil patches. Any leak will be coming from the compressor (grey) side. Anything from around this area probably points to a loose connection on the turbo intake pipe to compressor inlet.
It could also possibly be the oil return pipe connection at the turbo.
Glynn

 

[glynnd]

if thats the case someone at Seat must be a muppet not to have designed it to vent away from itself?

Should i get it checked or is it possible to check it though VAG for performance etc? As I got the car though a dealer less then 2 months ago, I want to be able to take it back if there is a problem. If i leave it, and there is a problem I may not be able to do that!

The crank vent system on all cars (from new) will vent back into the intake. Its designed to do that for emissions purposes. It is a crap idea and lots of us on here have fitted a catch can to eliminate it. If its bothering you take it back, but as you have pointed out you are not seeing a large loss of oil, then there is probably nothing to worry about.
Glynn

 

[unclebob]

The crank vent system on all cars (from new) will vent back into the intake. Its designed to do that for emissions purposes. It is a crap idea and lots of us on here have fitted a catch can to eliminate it. If its bothering you take it back, but as you have pointed out you are not seeing a large loss of oil, then there is probably nothing to worry about.
Glynn

Cheers,

Having a look at Toxic's thread about catch cans at the mo!

 

[unclebob]

To get to that part its will be from the top. Would be unusual for the feed pipe to leak, its metal, the union would have to start leaking suddenly and thats unlikely too.
Best way to check is get your hand around the base of the turbo and feel for any damp oil patches. Any leak will be coming from the compressor (grey) side. Anything from around this area probably points to a loose connection on the turbo intake pipe to compressor inlet.
It could also possibly be the oil return pipe connection at the turbo.
Glynn

when you say damp patches of oil, there appears to be small blobs of oil all over the turbo (i assume from the comments that it is!)... so best to give it a wipe, run the engine for a while and then check to see if theres any new oil?

 

[glynnd]

Clean it up as best as you can then you know whats appearing fresh and where from.
Glynn

 

[cheshire cat]

when you say damp patches of oil, there appears to be small blobs of oil all over the turbo (i assume from the comments that it is!)... so best to give it a wipe, run the engine for a while and then check to see if theres any new oil?

because of those small blobs I would say that the outlet pipe (air) is leaking from the lowest point they all seem to, and the airflow is blowing spots back up onto the compressor housing if there was a srious leak it would be all over the place within minutes I would just disconect at the lowest point and allow whatever to drain, good clean 'round and connect back up

 

[unclebob]

Im gonna see if i can make use of a mates workshop hopefuly this week and give it a clean.
Soz- not done much in terms of motor mechanics, the outlet pipe - is that the one that Toxic has connected to his oil catch can in this tread?

http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=227491

 

[glynnd]

The compressor side of the turbo (silver/grey) has 2 pipe connections.
1 is the inlet which runs from the airbox to the turbo inlet in the middle of the housing.
1 is the compressor outlet which connects via pipe work to the intercooler.
Disconnect both, clean up around the turbo, connect both pipes back up making sure of sound connections on both.
After running the engine for a few days check to see if there are any leaks.
Glynn

 

[cheshire cat]

The compressor side of the turbo (silver/grey) has 2 pipe connections.
1 is the inlet which runs from the airbox to the turbo inlet in the middle of the housing.
1 is the compressor outlet which connects via pipe work to the intercooler.
Disconnect both, clean up around the turbo, connect both pipes back up making sure of sound connections on both.
After running the engine for a few days check to see if there are any leaks.
Glynn

what he sed

 

[unclebob]

Will give it a go and report back!

 

[unclebob]

Soz for the delay in replying back,

Didnt get a chance to take the pipes off, but i did get under and give it a clean, and checked the pipes. Nothing which felt like a loose or split pipe. will get under it again in a few weeks to see how much oil if any is on it now.

Meanwhile can anyone recommend a good oil catch can in the uk?