oil in turbo pipes

[camino70]

I have a TA49 into a PTE frount mount and was pulling the piping apart when I found lots of oil! There is oil in the pipe to the intercooler and in intercooler and there is oil in the inlet pipe too. I am fairly new to turbo regals and don't know where the oil is coming from, I am assuming bad seals in the turbo? Both valve covers have breathers.
I am not sure if these are related, but... I am getting bad knock when mashing it from a stand still or when downshifting from overdrive. From what I understand oil kills octane levels in gas, so that could be a culprit. Another possibility is the pipe from the turbo to front mount has been, for lack of better terminology, mutilated to accomodate an electric fan. I have been informed that this air flow hinderance can be a big culprit also. I just wanted to get a few more opinions. If any other info is needed, please ask.
Thanks.

Ron

 

[TURBOV6]

Originally posted by camino70
I am assuming bad seals in the turbo?
Ron

Yes

 

[camino70]

What is involved in replacing the seals? Is it a job that someone only with alot of turbo experience should try to tackle, or can a mechanically inclined rookie try?

Ron

 

[TURBOV6]

You could send it to PTE or John Craig and have them replace the seals or you can order a rebuilt kit and do it you self. I took my stocker apart and looks pretty easy to do. But its safer to take it to a experience turbo rebuilder because you don't want loose parts sucking into the intake