oil line restrictor
Turbo Mini Forums

has anyone had to use an oil line restrictor in there feed for a gt1752 turbo, i have checked my turbo today, its smoking very badly, the exhaust side of the turbo is full of oil, its a new turbo purchased from a saab garage via e-bay, it could be a number of things, i am in the process of working through them, when the engine first starts its running 70psi oil pressure, after 20 min it eventually drops to 45-50 psi
i wondered if the original pressure had blown the turbo seals.
:(

i had something like that with my t3, very hi oil pressure when i first started running the car, seals couldnt handle the pressure and the downpipe was getting loads of oil. ive got my pressure down to about yours, but people still say its a tad high at 50, you may need to get it to lower as its a gt17. can you find out what they should be running, might help :)

this is what garrett says

Journal Bearing Turbo

Journal-bearings function similarly to rod or crank bearings in an engine - oil pressure is required to keep components separated. An oil restrictor is generally not needed except for oil-pressure-induced leakage. The recommended oil feed for journal bearing turbochargers is -4AN or hose/tubing with an ID of approximately 0.25.
Be sure to use an oil filter that meets or exceeds the OEM specifications

i have also looked at fitting a needle valve, i can then adjust pressure to 40psi ,regardless of engine pressure ?

Edited by strech on 10th Sep, 2010.

Is the oil drain from your turbo "at all" restictive? If so this could account for leaking past the seals.

If something is worth doing, it's worth doing half of.

i think thats been the problem john, its internal diameter is only the size of a pencil, it also had a kink in it, i have now bought the metro oil return plate from joshua, the new oil return will be at least 15mm internal diameter. I am still worried about excessive engine oil pressure
blowing the seals and smoking on idle though.:(

I'd be tempted to get some new oil seals in the turbo, sort that return line out. and maybe look at shortening the spring slightly to get the cold oil pressure down to around 60psi (there may be a packing washer or 2 you could remove)

If something is worth doing, it's worth doing half of.

you need a good big oil return on the turbo, even a slight kink in the metro return unit make alot of smoke

Yes i moved to the darkside

Instagram @jdm_brett

Just do the oil return first, as others have said they need a very good flow of return.

Oil pressure at 70 on start up should be fine but when you say it drops to 40-50 is that on tickover??, idealy it wants to be in the 20's when hot, some even lower.

You can also get (not a restrictor) but in line filter to the turbo .?
I wouldnt want to restrict the flow .

Rick