Turbo oil return pipe leak

Pete_89T2 · 04-22-2011, 08:03 AM

Update - two nights ago I pulled to pipe off to inspect the thing internally and assess the risk that it might become a gusher leak on the DGRR trip. Good news is it looks like the brazed joint between the pipe & flange appears solid. Put the flange in a vise and tried deflecting the elbow relative to the flange by twisting it and pushing/pulling, and couldn't get it to budge. The inside of the elbow and joint with the flange looks to be corrosion free & clean. Should have taken some pictures. Anyway, I put it back on the car with a new gasket & RTV, and after making sure everything was cleaned up, I let the car idle on the jack stands for about 30 minutes - no oil leaking after all that time. So yesterday I decided to use the car to commute to work (50 mile round trip, plus a few miles out for lunch), and took another look underneath when I got home. There was a hint of an oil film starting to form on that same spot on the elbow, but it hasn't quite become a drop yet. So with frequent dipstick checks and a few extra quarts of oil onboard, I think the DGRR trip will be a low risk proposition.

RETed · 04-23-2011, 05:07 AM

I agree - you should be safe.
The key is that that part of the system is not pressurized.
So, since we're dealing with relatively low (oil) pressure, you should not spring a significant leak that could compromise your engine life.
Enjoy the trip!

-Ted

04-22-2011, 08:03 AM	#1
Pete_89T2 Lifetime Rotorhead Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Elkton, MD Posts: 874 Rep Power: 16	Update - two nights ago I pulled to pipe off to inspect the thing internally and assess the risk that it might become a gusher leak on the DGRR trip. Good news is it looks like the brazed joint between the pipe & flange appears solid. Put the flange in a vise and tried deflecting the elbow relative to the flange by twisting it and pushing/pulling, and couldn't get it to budge. The inside of the elbow and joint with the flange looks to be corrosion free & clean. Should have taken some pictures. Anyway, I put it back on the car with a new gasket & RTV, and after making sure everything was cleaned up, I let the car idle on the jack stands for about 30 minutes - no oil leaking after all that time. So yesterday I decided to use the car to commute to work (50 mile round trip, plus a few miles out for lunch), and took another look underneath when I got home. There was a hint of an oil film starting to form on that same spot on the elbow, but it hasn't quite become a drop yet. So with frequent dipstick checks and a few extra quarts of oil onboard, I think the DGRR trip will be a low risk proposition.