Oil leak on turbo, need help

[Thump]

I was peeking under my truck today in preparation to install a free to me and new in box Gibson exhaust (one of the perks of working at a shop, we'll call it Christmas in December LOL )
Anyway, this has upset me now.
'03 2wd dually, HO engine, stock, auto 48RE transmission
I saw what appears to be oil coming from the turbo body apparently. It isn't localized to the line coming from the bottom, but seems to be coming from the ring around the pipe exiting the center of the turbo. I didn't get a lot of time to look at it as it's a 2wd dually and I had just shut it off... it was kinda hot under there.

I have read until page 8 of a search on 3rd Gen with terms "leak and turbo" and didn't find anything that made me feel any better or more knowledgeable per se.

Anyway, can oil even leak from this area? The top of the turbo is dry and the oil drip is actually on the bottom of the turbine bulge, not down the oil return line.

After a couple of longer than normal runs, one loaded with about 7500 pounds between Phx and Vegas and back and one dry from Phx to Malibu, CA, and back, I have noticed what appears to be a lack of seat of the pants power and some odd noise, almost a growling that I can feel, when temps are higher but still normal and cruising about 40-55mph.
May be unrelated, but the more info the more armchair diagnosis I can get, right? LOL

Thanks in advance!

 

[Turbo1Ton]

I found the same leak that you did on my turbo a few weeks ago. On the hot side, right above the drain tube right? The whole housing gets wet. I have not noticed anything else that you mentioned like lack of power or noise.



I talked to a guy that I work with who is big into Porsche's and he said that is a common place for the seals to go bad. Mine has almost 100k on it. He said it didn't surprise him to see it leaking there. This is the first turbo that I have had so I am not too keen on all of the intricacies of turbos. I just figured it was a good time to start considering what turbo to replace it with!



Jeff

 

[Thump]

No bueno
The truck only has 30K miles and now I gotta shell out big bucks for a new turbo.

Or does the Cummins warranty cover this? I am over the three years, just not the 36K miles.

Anyone? Bueler?

 

[Turbo1Ton]

I'm not certain but I would think that the cummins warranty might cover it. Heck, it is at least worth asking about. Hopefully someone else who knows much more than I do about warranty stuff will post.



Jeff

 

[Thump]

Just talked to the stealership closest to me (freakin Earnhardt's, ugh) and I have an appt to take it in on the 18th when I'm back in town.
He said that they'll appeal to DC to get it covered if it's not covered under the powertrain warranty (why wouldn't it be? is what I ask). This is mainly because my 36 months expired in early November.

We'll see, I guess. Anyone know warranties well and can tell me if this is included in the powertrain?

 

[jwilliams3]

If the truck is stock its covered under the 100k mile Cummins engine warranty.

Its listed in your owners manual... dont believe the dealers bs they often try to get you to pay then charge back for warranty so they get paid twice...

 

[Thump]

Bone stock, except the new, but factory-sized, Goodyear rubber.

Thanks! Looks like I'm staying stock for a bit (except for maybe that new exhaust that I'll R&R for other warranty work... and maybe a TAG/silencer removal)