What Causes a Turbo To Blow, Leak, or Burn Oil? Find Out HERE!

The Most Common Response People say is Turbo Seals are Bad, But Im Going to Teach You in This Post That Often this is the most Uneducated Answer. Here is a list of Most Common Problems to Least Common in Order.  In This List a Lot of the Time The Turbo Can Still Be “Good” But Blowing Oil.

The Top Reasons Why a Turbo Blows OIl:

  1. The Oil Drain Size Is Too Small. Most Aftermarket Drain Fittings Have too Small of an Inside Diameter Which is Often the Problem. A Factory MHI Drain is 16mm Inside Diameter. Aftermarket -10 an Drain Fittings are 12mm Inside Diameter. This Causes the Oil to not Drain Effieciently and the OIl backs up in the cartridge. With new oil filling the Cartridge and the Old oil not being removed, the oil pressure builds up in the cartridge and is forced out the seals.
  2. Blocking Crank Case Ventilation Causes the Pressure in the oil Pan to Build up, Which no Longer Allows the Oil to Drain From the Turbo Properly, Because the Crank Case is Pressurized.
  3. Oil Level. The OIl Level Can Be Higher Than the Oil Seals, if You Put too Much Oil in the Oil Pan, or If the Turbocharger is Sitting to Low in Relation to the OIl Level. Both Situations can Cause oil to Lean Past the Seals.
  4. Oil Pressure.  The Oil Pressure Being Too Low, will Cause The Turbo To Wear the Internal Parts of the Turbo. Usually Once the turbo develops some In and Out Shaft play the Seals get Worn out in the Process, Which makes the Turbo Need a Rebuild.  The Oil Pressure Being Too High, is Never the a Problem Unless The Oil Drain is Not Large Enough To Remove the Volume That is Being Fed into The Turbocharger. Ball Bearing Turbos Need a .035” Restrictor However, Because their Cartridges Are Much Smaller, and They Can only Hold So Much Volume.
  5. Oil Restrictor in a Journal Bearing Turbo. Having and Oil Restrictor in a Journal Bearing Turbo can Causes Turbos to Eventually to Blow oil, Because it Starves the Turbo Of Oil, Which Causes the Internals of the Turbo to Wear out (including the Seals). Don’t Use a Restrictor with a Journal Bearing Turbo, if You think the OIl pressure is “Too High” Then a Drain with a Larger Inside Diameter.
  6. Hot Shut Offs.  After You Drive Your Turbocharged Vehicle Hard, You Should let the Engine idle for 1 to 2 Minutes to Allow The Oil to Circulate Through the Turbocharger to Remove the Heat from the Internal Parts of the Turbo. If You Do Not Do this, Then the Next Time You Start the Vehicle up, The Turbo Internals Could Be Dry, Which can Cause the Internal Parts the Wear Out Prematurely.
  7. Improper Oil Weight.  Just like Engines, Turbochargers have a Required Thickness of Oil to be Used. If you Use too Thin of oil Weight For the Ambient Temperatures, Your Turbo can Result in Blowing Oil. The Minimum Weight Required is 10w 30, But Often Some People Are Able to Run 5W Oil in Their Cars in Below 0 Degree Temperatures, but just Remember Your taking a Risk if You Forget to change the OIl When Warmer Temperatures Come Around, Your Turbo Will Fail Quickly!
  8. Oil Contamination Oil Contamination Will Destroy a Turbo Quickly. The Foreign Material, can be Debris from a Previous Blown Engine, sand blast media, leftover rtv gasket maker, or Anything that Could have Fallen into the Oil Pan. This Is the Worst Case to Have, Because it Often requires the Engine to Be Rebuilt and Flushed Thoroughly.  These Particles can Be Trapped in the OIl Journals, Which Never Allows The Debris to Leave No Matter How Much You Change the Engine Oil. Often If these Particles Make it to the Turbocharger, the Bearing Housing Gets Scared and Causes the Cartridge to often Need Replacing. Luckily Now We offer New Cartridges for Turbochargers!

 

Here Is My Experience With Running Restrictors on Holset Turbos:

“I built 2 Holset HX40 Turbos With Oil Retrictors in the Passed, They Both Failed Really Quickly, I Used a 5/64 Drill Bit Which is .075” Approx Which is What People Recommend Online, Both Failed and I had to Warrantee Them. The Reason Why People Started to Recommend Using Oil Restrictors in the First Place is Because the Oil was not Draining Effectively Enough From the Turbo in Some Shape or Form. The restrictor Helps Prevent the Excessive Oil Volume, But it Often Can Restrict too Much Oil Which Causes the Turbo to Fail.”

The Same Rule Goes for Garrett, PTE, Turbonetics, and Comp Journal Bearing Turbochargers… Dont use a Restrictor, use a Larger Oil Drain with the Proper Inside Diameter(16mm)!

Keep it simple:

  • Run the oil feed from the oil filter housing
  • Large enough oil drain (16mm ID)
  • Properly vent your crankcase
  • Run the appropriate oil thickness

Under the Circumstances Where the Turbo Is Leaking Oil, You are also Losing Oil Pressure. It is Very Common for the Engine to Spin Bearings, or lose Compression Due To Lack of Oil Pressure in the Engine, Due to Your Turbo Leaking all the Oil pressure out the Turbo Seals. The Main Reason is Because The Oil pan Runs Dry and The oil Pressure is Lowered When an Oil Leak is Present. Park the Car and Fix the Turbo Before You Create More Problems!

Comments

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42 thoughts on “What Causes a Turbo To Blow, Leak, or Burn Oil? Find Out HERE!

  1. Dr. Booker T. WILLIAMS

    I put to much oil in my 2012 vw turbo but had some removed, the oil pressure rose to 220 . I parked and later discovered oil on my drive way. What should I do?

    Reply
  2. HarveyTurl

    Hi I drive a 06 cobalt and just recently my car has been over heating and I add coolant then it s okay again and now there s oil leaking when I took it to get an oil change they left side note oil contains water and also it blows out a lot of white smoke from the exhaust . Could this have caused a blown head gasket

    Reply
    1. Austin Post author

      The car was over heated or over boosted causing the headgasket to blow. The head will need to be milled flat, and the oil changed. its likely that the turbo needs a rebuild at this point. Worst case you need to rebuild or replace the engine.

      Reply
    2. Jay Evans

      Yes Definitely a blown head gasket u should be able to put ur hand close to the exhaust pipe for a few seconds and smell ur hand it should smell sweet and u should have a little water on ur hand

      Reply
  3. urfan khan

    hi I put too much engine oil in my bmw 320d e90 2005 model, as I was driving I floored it past 3 thousand revs and noticed a lot of oil from exhaust pipe and some from engine too. immediately I turned off engine and parked up side of road. I had a problem before this happened when the engine oil was low the turbo would not kick in and I would top it up regurlar hence putting too much in so I’m confused why it would do that?

    Reply
  4. VtecDude

    Hi, After taking my 96 civic to a backyard mechanic to sort out a wobbling cam gear, upon the cars return my boost pipe came off while I was driving, immediately pulled over and things to cool down so I can put the boost pipe back on, of course a couple days later, a different boost pipe comes off and I have to follow the same process again. that led me to go and tighten up all the pipes myself as I didn’t want a 3rd occurrence, now to the real problem… after a few days with no pipes blowing off, and very slow driving, I started the car in the morning, while warming it up, I smell oil, and come out and see a large white cloud, which went away after a few minutes… does this sound like it’s the turbo seals or something else ?

    Reply
  5. Saj

    I have vw golf 1.9 tdi 2003 , it was running perfect on till yesterday when I started the car it was driving fine and then lot of smoke from engine and when I looked oil was leaking from dipstick, and now as soon as I start car it blows the dipstick in air and lot of oil comes from the dipstick,

    Reply
    1. Austin Post author

      I think the Turbine wheel broke off the shaft and the exhaust is getting into the oil system. Its very common for the shafts to break on the 1.9 tdi, Because if the vgt locks up in the closed position it can over spin the turbo.

      Reply
  6. Carlos Castro

    I’m a tech in a shop in naples fl and I faint your website very useful and I like to keep contact with you guys

    Reply
  7. Gordon

    Hi I have a 1.9 tdi pd engine just had a complete overall new Pistons valves valve guides stem seals turbo the engine will not stop smoking all the ports are covered in oil the exhaust manifold the same any idieas please

    Reply
    1. Austin Post author

      This reminds me of a time when someone I know had a cylinder head rebuilt and the shop used the wrong valve guides, they were larger than they were supposed to be and they cause the head to leak oil really bad.

      Reply
  8. Casey

    Austin-

    Need to know if my turbo needs to be shipped or should I just purchase a rebuild kit. I have a genuine Garrett Gt3076r bb. It has black tar residue in the compressor outlet- mild shaft play, will spin freely but slows quick considering its a ball bearing turbo. I also noticed a very light crunching sound when I manually spin it. I’m pretty sure its not supposed to sound like that. Let me know if its worth fixing please. Call or email anytime 803-606-8601. – Casey

    Reply
  9. Bogdan

    Hello,
    I have a 2.0l bmw diesel. I have oil inside the hose that connects the MAF with the turbo, and also in the hoses after the turbine. The turbine shaft has no play at all in either direction. I have smoke if I open the oil filler cap. I replaced the crankcase breather. Are the pistor rings failed or the valve seals? The turbine would require a rebuild? The car has about 90k miles but mostly short drive town conditions.

    Reply
    1. Austin Post author

      That would be very unusual to hav a problem with the piston ring unless the engine was not well taken care of. I have a 7.3 powerstroke that had blow by out the crankcase through the dip stick. The problem was the piston ring broke.

      Reply
  10. Onyeakazi Kelechi

    Please, can a bad turbocharger cause a car not to start or can bad ignition coils do the same to a car . I drive a MAZDA CX7 2007 model. Thank you.

    Reply
  11. Lynne Hin

    Nissan managed to build the best vehicle ever to come out of an Asian factory. They managed to take the good parts from the old 350Z version and embed them into a much better machinery, while trying to improve on the design. This way, the GT-R35 became an incredible piece of great looking high-tech vehicle wanted all over the world. It managed to become one of the most wanted supercars of the modern days and one of the most interesting concepts.

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  12. Barden

    Hi. I have a Nissen 2.7 intercooler van. I bought a repair kit for my turbo for the van. I replaced the brass bushes, but it is still blowing oil. Is there something i missed

    Reply
  13. Sandra Renfrow

    My truck made a load pop noise and then five miles down the road did it again lost power and started rolling black Cole like crazy. I have a 2007 5.9 dodge with twin turbos e f i live on it .manual and a exhaust brake that’s now not working .. and did I mention it caught fire . The fire wall and some wires got it out.. but having a hard time find someone who can help me with the problem. . I am broke down with 5th wheel trailer. .

    Reply
    1. Austin Post author

      Usually that would be an intercooler coupler exploding or intercoller exploding. If that happened then the turbos won’t be able to compressor air into the engine causing it to run richer than Donald trump. I can’t explain the fire or exhaust brake.

      Reply
  14. James

    My turbo basically exploded poped my air cleaner off and oil went through my exhaust I then pulled over quick. It’s a 2012 ram 6.7l there is pieces in my air cleaner. My question is will my engine still be ok if I replace turbo and clean intercooler?

    Reply
    1. Austin Post author

      I have no way of knowing the answer to that question. Turbos don’t explode without reason. Holsters are designed for no more than 44 psi, if you exceeded that then your engine may be okay. Otherwise it’s possible that a piece of the VGT retainer came apart because they do have an issue with that on the 6.7 but I have never seen it damage the turbo.

      If neither of these sound like the cause then it’s possible that a piece off a piston or valve broke off and went into the turbo blades which is caused by high egt conditions or tuning with not enough fuel.

      Reply
  15. Eusebio Delmonte Berzas

    yes hello i noticed the oil too high in the car and i took out about a liter oil the oil and used the 1 liter of that oil that i took out to fry some french fries becasue my wife was not home to cook the french fries for me and i got sick after i ate the french fries that i fried with the 1 liter of oil that i took out of my car beacause it was too high the level not me and then my wife came home and we got in the car to go to the hospital and the car engine got damaged from having too little oil leading me to believe that the dipstick is the incorrecto one on this car and measured a level that was 1 liter too much when in fact it was alright which is hard to believe becasuee the dipstick i stole from a mercedes sl from work to make my camry look customized and i know for sure that it was a doipstick for i took it out from that engine and when i took it out it had oil in the end of it like if you were going to check the oil level so it was a dipstick for sure even though the that motor and my motor is different looking still the dipsticks are the same tey are both long metal and both had some oil in the end of it like whn you look at the oil level and then wipe clean and then put back un the motor. Do you motul motor oil thats 100% will make the dipstick work in my car better or should i steal the oil form the mercedes sl motor since that was the oil the dipstick was using. Thanks so beri much in advance for your help on such a problem that i have

    Reply
  16. eusebio delmonte berzas

    yes hello i noticed the oil too high in the car and i took out about a liter oil the oil and used the 1 liter of that oil that i took out to fry some french fries becasue my wife was not home to cook the french fries for me and i got sick after i ate the french fries that i fried with the 1 liter of oil that i took out of my car beacause it was too high the level not me and then my wife came home and we got in the car to go to the hospital and the car engine got damaged from having too little oil leading me to believe that the dipstick is the incorrecto one on this car and measured a level that was 1 liter too much when in fact it was alright which is hard to believe becasuee the dipstick i stole from a mercedes sl from work to make my camry look customized and i know for sure that it was a doipstick for i took it out from that engine and when i took it out it had oil in the end of it like if you were going to check the oil level so it was a dipstick for sure even though the that motor and my motor is different looking still the dipsticks are the same tey are both long metal and both had some oil in the end of it like whn you look at the oil level and then wipe clean and then put back un the motor. Do you motul motor oil thats 100% will make the dipstick work in my car better or should i steal the oil form the mercedes sl motor since that was the oil the dipstick was using. Thanks so beri much in advance for your help on such a problem that i have

    Reply
  17. Michael Nutt

    Hello,
    I have a 2009 bmw 335i with the n54 engine. What turbo upgrades would you suggest in regards to increasing power and reliability? What is the cost to rebuild my turbos in such a fashion?
    My car has 117k miles is fully modified and has shown signs of oil dust coming from the exhaust and has built up on my rear bumper. It is also building up in my engine bay as a fine oily film covering certain areas. What are your thoughts?

    Reply
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  19. Sanjar

    Truck international pro star 2011 oil in the turbo can you tell me can I drive or no how fix, white smoke, sheiks motor,

    Reply
  20. Madison Dosh

    I have an 02 Chevy Duramax 6.6 TurboDiesel. The turbo went out and had to be replaced, so I had it replaced and went to crank my truck and oil blew out from the exhaust pipe. Without me touching the key, it killed itself. I lifted the hood and now I have noticed that there is oil leaking into the intercooler hose. What is the issue at hand & how how can it be fixed?

    Reply
  21. Dillen

    Hi there have a 1.9 tdi vw t5 van is makes alot off whit smoke and it leaks oil i think in or out the turbo what can be the problem or what can i do

    Reply
  22. michael

    my nissan xtrail 2007 model . the turbo charger was leaking oil into the exhust and smoking . please what can i do and what is causing it

    Reply
  23. justin

    I have a 2011 535i N55 engine and just changed the valve cover and now the car when idle has an excessive amount of exhaust/ steam coming from tailpipes. There is also a lot of pressure and a little steam that comes out of the oil cap when removed, that is very excessive as well. Getting a 133E10 code….”valvetronic system deactivated adjustment fault too frequent”…..really need help….I am losing a little bit of oil as well and do not see where it is going. Is also making o2 sensor throw codes if it idles for a few minutes. and it will feel like it is misfiring if if sits to long at idle sometimes. Thanks for help

    Reply
  24. Thomas Leek

    Hey bud. My name is Thomas Leek. I have worked at Dealer ships for the past twenty five years. Not the top notch tech. But some of the best ask me for advice. I have a 2010 Mazda cx7 turbo was bad. Replaced it with a after market. Added the recommended oil , topped off coolant. Started it up let it set and idle until thermostat opened up topped off coolant test drove it for approx ten miles. Pulled up in shop to check for leaks an wipe off any grease or finger prints. Next afternoon dude picks it up was gone maybe an hour. Calls an said that it slowed all of the oil out of it. I pick it up to CK it out. Had no oil on stick. Get under car to see what was leaking. It looks it came from every seal an gasket that helped oil. An noticed that oil an antifreeze was mixing together an filled shop up with white smoke. What can I do to solve problem? Had it for a month tryn to figure it out. Eaten my lunch

    Reply
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