Jackzor

Okay, I have a prelude with an h22a with a turbonetics turbo and wastegate. Now. When I run down the back roads out by my house (at full boost (10lbs)) a few times I start to see ALOT of white smoke from my exhaust. Also, I have oil in my intake piping. Now, I'm sure the car burns some oil by itself but I don't think there should be oil in my piping. It also blows out my blow off valve after alot of hard driving. Does this sound like an oil seal leaking in my turbo?

TravisBiggie

seal can be going out. how does your turbo oil return line look?

Jackzor

The return line look like crap but I think its fine. I pulled my hot side piping and the cooler has plenty of oil in it. I think I need new seals. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Jackzor

There is somewhat of a kink in the return line. I should fix that?

wantboost

iTrader: (2)

Post pics of the return line and the oil

We also need more info like turbo type and size. Journal or ball bearing

A few possibilities:

Oil pressure is too high and a restrictor is needed (assuming you don't already have one)

Poor oil return (drain diameter (could be too small), fitting type and locations ((no 90* fittings off the turbo or anywhere else))

return line routing ((no kinks, needs to be straight and slope downwards or vertical (preferred))

Location of oil return fitting on oil pan, could be too low or high, or not in the proper location

And worse case is the compressor seal has failed, meaning it's time for a rebuild

Jackzor

Here are some pictures of whats going on. Thanks for the input.

KevinEF7

Your oil drain is fine. How much axial shaft play on the turbine?

Most likely needs rebuilt, and is blown

Jackzor

I cant move it in and out but I can move it up and down some.

wantboost

iTrader: (2)

Does it touch the housings?

A seal can fail and the turbo won't have excessive shaft play because the bearing system isn't damaged.

TheShodan

iTrader: (14)

Umm no.. his cartridge is angled almost 30* towards the front of the car. That's why he's having problems. The oil under pressure is backing up into the cartridge itself where its being pressed past the thrust bearing into the compressor side of the turbo. The op thinks he can make a "straight shot" to the oil pan by rotating the cartridge itself so that the drain points down towards the pan. His oil feed flange is basically FACING the intercooler compressor pipe . (3rd picture).

He must readjust his cartridge to be completely vertical, and use a better stainless line AWAY from that heated downpipe. He also need to check oil pressure at cold start/WOT to see whether or not a properly sized restrictor is needed for the Turbonetics.

Many turbonetics have oil sealing ring issues, but that's at the REAR of the turbocharger. Not as much in the front thrust bearing. this is an installation error, from the look at things here.

If he does not, he'll continue to have problems despite a "rebuild."

So, change parts, reconfigure, check oil pressure, then see if a rebuild is needed.

KevinEF7

The third picture to me does not show a 30* angle, I didnt think the angle pictured would cause damage or pose a threat, I thought it had to be quite slanted to the side to not drain proper and backup

TheShodan

iTrader: (14)

Yep. you have to invert the picture. But yes, its a VERY heavy angle and WILL affect its performance and use, including oil backups to cause the very issue he's experiencing.

BigMike0147

Need better pictures to show the angle of the center cartridge. It's hard to tell with those at the angle. Get some shots from standing in front of the engine bay looking down/forward. That way people can see the angle in which the oil feed port is.....

Jackzor

I'll try to get some in the morning. Are you saying it might not need a rebuild?