HELP PLEASE: GTM Stage II Turbo Issue
 

So the car is at a shop getting the small oil leak on the driver's side turbo fixed. My tech is saying that the oil is leaking from the hot side turbo seal (I thought it was leaking from the oil feed banjo bolt and dripping down). Anyone have any experience with this? I can't imagine the seal in the turbo being bad.

I will be calling Sam this morning to run it by him, but any insight in the meantime is much appreciated!

Chances are it's from the oil feed not tightened correctly. There's no reason for a new turbo to be leaking from the seal. Either way, it sounds like you need to remove the turbo, since the oil feed is on the top of the turbo. You can clear see if oil is leaking out the banjo bolt once the turbo is out.

That's what I figured. I don't see how a brand new turbo is leaking from the seal. It is not smoking either. I think the oil is coming from the banjo and seeping down the cartridge, giving it the appearance that it is leaking from the seal.

I could be wrong but if the turbo seal was leaking you wouldn't see it external to the turbo rather, you would notice smoke when you boost. I would go over all your oil lines and trace them for any oil. That is an easy place to start.

Thanks everyone for the insight. I didn't think the seal could leak brand new, and there is no smoke. The oil is dripping down the outside edge of where the turbine housing meets the center cartridge. It is a very small leak. I am thinking it is coming from one of the crush washers on the banjo bolt. I told the tech to unbolt the turbo and make sure that is the case. I will keep everyone posted...

good luck buddy!

Thanks, Ron!

The turbo is being taken out as of now. Had a conference call with Sam and my tech, so hopefully everyone is on the same page now (Thanks Sam!). I am hoping the issue is just with the oil feed banjo fitting. Hopefully the car will be back in my hands soon!

Well my suspicions were confirmed. It is the oil feed banjo bolt. Looks like I overtightened it trying to get the first leak to stop. :shakes head:

I am in the process of getting some new fittings ordered from Sam and the problem fixed.

Glad it was something simple. :tup:

Having to take down the turbo, wait for new parts to come in, and then reattaching the turbo isnt exactly something simple =P

Meh! One hour tops. :D

So simple yet so complicated! I just want to drive the car!! Haha. As much as I love getting my hands dirty and doing it myself, I am glad to have someone else dealing with it! Should be good to go as soon as I can get parts.

Its easy to overtighten those things.....I've done it before on my bike clutch and brake lines. I see your not far from me, being over in Va. I'll have to get a ride sometime to decide if I want to go TT or a Stage II blower for my Nismo. Where do you get oil changes?
In my condo building I can't do those types of things in our garage.

Absolutely! We will have to meet up sometime. I get my oil changes at the dealer (Chevy Chase Nissan in Bethesda), since when I bought the car they threw in free oil changes for life. I can't wait to bring it in for the next oil change and see the looks on their faces :tup: