Turbo Oil seals..

[Steve V]

Why do they not last very long. In 2008 customer of mine purchases GT6157E from Precsion,uses it 2000 miles between then in 7-10. Then down grades to a 49 (long story) and I take it on trade for parts. Install on my personal T use it maybe 200 miles and smoke at idle when hot. Motor has 200 miles on it and runs great other wise. Pull turbo tonite and find oil in the exhaust side. Rig up car to start and idle without turbo and no smoke at all out of exhaust.

This thing was not abused,both motors had 25+idle pressure and 50-60 while crusing. Maybe too much oil pressure going past seal? Both used braided feedline and stock flex return tube.

So now I get to send it back and spend more $$$ to fix it. Maybe I will see if I can change out the seal myself.

Patrick if you read this whats your opinion. This came from Bob Baileys brothers GN. I built the motor and installed it at the same time. Then moved it to another new motor in one of mine. We did not use a turbo saver on either motor.

I am going to copy/paste in general tech of better views also.

 

[bison]

It's a steel piston ring. It can't easily fail. Poor drainback or excess crankcase pressure will cause the oil to be forced into the exhaust. The piston ring is not positive and mostly serves to keep exhaust gases out of the crankcase. The turbine has a slinger machined into it to sling the oil away from the area where the piston ring seals on the shaft and bearing housing. They don't just fail.

 

[Steve V]

It's a steel piston ring. It can't easily fail. Poor drainback or excess crankcase pressure will cause the oil to be forced into the exhaust. The piston ring is not positive and mostly serves to keep exhaust gases out of the crankcase. The turbine has a slinger machined into it to sling the oil away from the area where the piston ring seals on the shaft and bearing housing. They don't just fail.

Good info Bison. My plan is to install the stocker... a garrett reman that came on my GN with 60k...I know for a fact it has never smoked and has no excess play etc. If this 1987 tech turbo runs fine,I will put some miles on it before I decide. What does that say about this new tech GT series turbo. I can Guarante my drian is not restricted and my engine has minimal blow by. We are talking around town driving not after a boosted run.

Guess I should tear it down,It's outta warranty and worst I can do is send back in a box. I just maybe able to fix it cheaper then $700. That would turn this $1000 turbo into a $1700 turbo,could ve went BB for that kind of $$$.

 

[bison]

Good info Bison. My plan is to install the stocker... a garrett reman that came on my GN with 60k...I know for a fact it has never smoked and has no excess play etc. If this 1987 tech turbo runs fine,I will put some miles on it before I decide. What does that say about this new tech GT series turbo. I can Guarante my drian is not restricted and my engine has minimal blow by. We are talking around town driving not after a boosted run.

Guess I should tear it down,It's outta warranty and worst I can do is send back in a box. I just maybe able to fix it cheaper then $700. That would turn this $1000 turbo into a $1700 turbo,could ve went BB for that kind of $$$.

Mark both wheels with a black marker andmake sure the marks are lined up when you reassemble. It's possible it's carboned up in the slinger area and you can bead blast it and reassemble with a new piston ring seal.

 

[Steve V]

http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/general-turbo-buick-tech/346569-turbo-oil-seals.html

here's an update,long story short Bision I believe you are the winner.

Patrick can I buy just an exhaust seal? Or just reuse the orginal?

 

[Steve V]

pics for Bison...notice the condition of the bearings...no oil in cold side.