Thread: Oil in air intake pipe 300tdi

Originally Posted by TOR

I have a 300tdi which is a bit smoky and is using oil. Pulled the pipes off the turbo and manifold intake. I noticed a small pool of oil pre turbo, also then there was more than I was expecting in the intake manifold pipe.
I have cleaned all these including the intercooler pretty recently.

The only other leaks I can see are the sump and possible rear main (I have put the plug in the housing to see if it collecting here).

Turbo has a little free play and feels ok to me but I'm definitely no expert.

is this most likely just a turbo replace? Can't understand why there would be oil pooling pre turbo?

Oil would be from blowby I think

Originally Posted by TOR

I have a 300tdi which is a bit smoky and is using oil. Pulled the pipes off the turbo and manifold intake. I noticed a small pool of oil pre turbo, also then there was more than I was expecting in the intake manifold pipe.
I have cleaned all these including the intercooler pretty recently.

The only other leaks I can see are the sump and possible rear main (I have put the plug in the housing to see if it collecting here).

Turbo has a little free play and feels ok to me but I'm definitely no expert.

is this most likely just a turbo replace? Can't understand why there would be oil pooling pre turbo?

The engine symptoms indicators are that it is a bit smokey and using oil, thus points to worn rings, thus as a result the cylinder compression is getting past the rings into the sump, which pressurises the sump and causing excessive positive crank case ventilation, resulting in oil vapours entering the intake pipe pre turbo.
OR.....if the engine has been modified to produce more power, this can also cause excessive blow-by past the rings....
What needs to be done to determine the problem is a leak down test where compresses air is fed into the cylinders at a measured rate and the leakage past the rings is measured, to determine if all the rings are worn on each cylinder or one piston has broken rings.
OR....fit a catch can and keep driving...the catch can will prevent the intercooler and intake manifold collecting the oil.