Oil in 300Tdi intake

[rijidij]

I have noticed an oily residue inside the intake pipes, post turbo on my 300Tdi. The turbo is a brand new Garrett, about 2000km, so shouldn't be a problem there, but not completely ruling it out though.
What other possible causes should I be looking for ? Is there some sort of problem known with the 300Tdi that might cause this ? I haven't owned it long enough yet to be familiar with the 300Tdi, so any help would be appreciated.

Cheers, Murray

[steveG]

If its the same setup as the 300tdi in a Disco, then the crankcase breather goes into the intake duct between the air filter and the turbo inlet so you can end up with a bit of oil that way.

Steve

[slug_burner]

If its the same setup as the 300tdi in a Disco, then the crankcase breather goes into the intake duct between the air filter and the turbo inlet so you can end up with a bit of oil that way.

Steve

x2 what he said

Fairly ordinary oil catcher, therfore always sucking in oil vapours. Reduces efficiency of cooler

[camel_landy]

TBH - It is not uncommon on the 300TDi to get an oil residue on the inlet side of things. As such, cleaning out the intercooler is a regular service task.

As for what causes it...


Rocker cover breather... Need to clean out the canister.
Turbo charger.
EGR (if still fitted...)

HTH

M

[rijidij]

So, has anyone disconnected the crankcase breather return pipe from the intake and vented it to the atmosphere ? Is there any problem in doing this, apart from (more) oil dripping on the garage floor. It just seems wrong having all that black crap in the intake and intercooler.

Murray

[muddymech]

i tried with a boy racer oil separator thing but its made things worse as the pipe was too small, howevre am running 200tdi and that breathes real heavy ie oil drips out of air filter, tried claening repalcinbg most things so now just liv ewith it

[camel_landy]

So, has anyone disconnected the crankcase breather return pipe from the intake and vented it to the atmosphere ? Is there any problem in doing this, apart from (more) oil dripping on the garage floor. It just seems wrong having all that black crap in the intake and intercooler.

Just live with it, it's not doing any real harm...

You're going to do more harm by letting it vent into the atmosphere. Not only are you going to be letting the oil fumes out but you're going to run the risk of letting water/moisture and other stuff in.

M

[isuzurover]

Contrary to the above posts, it IS doing real harm. Oil laden with soot is well known for killing turbochargers in heavy diesels. That is why all of them have crankcase filters these days. A bunch of people on here have Provent crankcase filters for their 300Tdis. Most have not yet fitted them though :mad:

Such filters will remove 90+% of the oil before it can get to your intercooler or turbo.

[Bushie]

Contrary to the above posts, it IS doing real harm. Oil laden with soot is well known for killing turbochargers in heavy diesels. That is why all of them have crankcase filters these days. A bunch of people on here have Provent crankcase filters for their 300Tdis. Most have not yet fitted them though :mad:

Such filters will remove 90+% of the oil before it can get to your intercooler or turbo.

And I didn't put my hand up for one because I would only be doing about 10000km (or less) per year, but at least it would have been fitted.


Martyn

[TonyC]

And I didn't put my hand up for one because I would only be doing about 10000km (or less) per year, but at least it would have been fitted.


Martyn

X2

Tony

[isuzurover]

You should have put your hand up. Some of the people who did haven't even done 5 km in the last year (usually due to mechanical/unforseen issues etc though).

[nice1guv]

Is there any reason you can't attach an oil catch can to the fire wall?

Out of the OE filter into the catch can then into the air intake stream.

Just check and drain it regularly.

[isuzurover]

Is there any reason you can't attach an oil catch can to the fire wall?

Out of the OE filter into the catch can then into the air intake stream.

Just check and drain it regularly.

I assume you mean a catch can in the breather line??? The problem is the fine droplets which the breather cyclone cannot collect. A catch can won't help to remove these unless it is so large they can settle out gravitationally. For the finest droplets, the catch can would need to be the size of the engine bay...

[nice1guv]

Sure the fine stuff will get past it, but don't you think it would help stop larger oil contamination?
Especially if you put the filter up high, so that the airborne oil will have to overcome gravity to get past it, unlike now where it flows downhill from the OE filter to the turbo intake.

BTW: Does anyone know what one of the OE filters is worth for a 300Tdi?

[isuzurover]

Sure the fine stuff will get past it, but don't you think it would help stop larger oil contamination?
Especially if you put the filter up high, so that the airborne oil will have to overcome gravity to get past it, unlike now where it flows downhill from the OE filter to the turbo intake.

BTW: Does anyone know what one of the OE filters is worth for a 300Tdi?

Depends how much of the contamination is what is termed "wall flow" and how much is aerosol-based.

I always thought the standard fitting was a cyclone, not a filter???

[jimbo110]

Contrary to the above posts, it IS doing real harm. Oil laden with soot is well known for killing turbochargers in heavy diesels.
Just out of interest, how does this happen?

[isuzurover]

Just out of interest, how does this happen?

The oil collects in the turbo, then evaporates, leaving behind soot and ash. Essentially forming grinding paste, which isn't good for turbocharger life.

I am not an expert on this area, but that is what my collaborators and the heavy diesel engine manufacturers they make parts for have told me.

[nice1guv]

Depends how much of the contamination is what is termed "wall flow" and how much is aerosol-based.

I always thought the standard fitting was a cyclone, not a filter???

Oh, is it a cyclone?! Well that makes a difference!

Although a well designed catch can would still stop the majority of the aerosol based oil.

The OE ones are not really serviceable then?

Has anyone ever cut one open? and any ideas on price?