For you ZPI turbo kit users, how is your oil return line ran? Behind or Infront of the DP?


I ask because this is the second time oil has found its way into the exhaust side of the turbo, My original thought was the oil return line backing up. Ive replaced it and redone it around 5 times now only for oil to find its way back into the exhaust side. It seems that I can't get the return to slope enough without hitting the dp. Anyone have pics of theirs? Or any thoughts would be great! I originally had this problem and sent the turbo back to turbochargers.com for them to check it out they checked it out and said they couldnt find anything wrong with it. I got it back and the smoke stopped for a while only to start again after a few hundred miles... The only other thing I can think of is the oil pressure itself. but other then that Im all out of ideas and this is starting to be a pain!!!

 

Just a question but where are you seeing smoke?

I am having the same problem. My return line is resting on my DP and i have seen smoke come from looks to be around the manifold area but i couldnt find any leaks and i had SP look and the turbine housing etc and they found nothing but im still smoking!

 

i ran mine in front of the downpipe had to ziptie it to keep from hitting the DP

 

Any pics? Hows your slope?

BigPinoy, the smoke is coming out of the exhaust and the center cartridge of the turbo.

 

i don't have any pics right now, but the slope is fine there are no kinks in the line. Its about a half an inch away from the downpipe.

 

I dont have smoke coming from exhaust but i do have it coming from about the same area as yours from the turbo. If its bkuz of the return line then i guess i just figured out the problem

 

What turbo kit or turbocharger are you using? There are many different reasons why something like this would happen, Im trying to go with the simplest first and then work my way up

Take your center cartridge clamp off and see if there is any burnt oil there. If there is your more then likely leaking oil pass the seals and there will be oil in the exhaust side and maybe even the compressor side of the turbo...

 

get a oil pressure restrictor...Im willing to bet thats your problem...these cars run such high oil pressure for a turbo and your washing your seals out...our cars run 80+psi oil pressure under load....any turbo I have ever seen hates anything more than 30psi

 

Isn't the oil line going to the turbo going to be restriction enough? I mean the line has a 1/8 hole on both sides of the fitting.

 

Bump anyone with pics?

 

I think that was the same size line on my T20...I dont remember cause it was so long ago, but I still had oil buildup until I restricted it

 

you want a pic of mine again K?

 

Quick question for ZPI turbo owners. I clocked the turbo by removing the 10mm bolt and removing the center-band clamp. then I opening the center cartridge and removed the 1/16 pin. My oil lines go straight up and down. So I think I've clocked the turbo correctly.
I looked at the ZPI instructions again and it says to take the pin out in the center cartidge but it also says to remove the snap-ring and removing a pin for clocking the turbo.

What's correct

 

There are two pins one on the exhaust side. one on the compressor side. Aslong as your lines are up and down your good...

 

Thanks Kaeon! I removed the snap ring and found the alignment pin. Removed it with a small flat-head screwdriver. The pin almost looks like a 2-56 screw minus the threads. Lightly rubbed the o-ring with Mobil 1 synthetic oil and re-assembled the inlet of the turbo. It is wierd but I did not have to re-clock the turbo much, it basically stayed in the original pinned orientation. Maybe it will allow it to "rotate" into position when I install the log-manifold on the car... We will see in a couple of days when I actually bolt the ZPI stage 0 to my tC. Tonight I'm installing the oil pan... This is going to be fun! Where is DJ Boosted when I need him

 

Haha DSM DJ is at his house... Just get a torch you will be fine. BTW if you have any other questions feel free to aim me, "its kaeon" is my screen name.


P.S. Knock on wood I installed a new line (Yet again) I think this new line stopped the oil leak or atleast corrected it a bit, Because now I only see what looks like normal exhaust fumes.

 

I have mine running infront of the dp and its not touching it. Its about 2 3 inches away.. I was wondering anyone think that it might melt the oil line.

 

nah you should be fine...

 

Just got my ZPI kit and its true.... The factory service manual says that oil pressure goes up to 78psi when the car is climbing up in speed and rpm.

So is it correct and accurate to say we DO need the oil restrictor at the oil feed side? Does anyone have a pic of what the oil restrictor looks like?? Sorry for asking a noob question

Kaeon, how's your new oil line? Has it given any problems so far?

 

Knock on wood from what I can see so far so good...