Turbo oil leak

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This is my first post but have learned a lot of great stuff here. This weekend I was installing a pyrometer and while I had the turbo off I noticed what looked liked oil in the compressor discharge. The compressor turbine spins freely in the housing and does not make contact but it can be moved slightly side to side. I removed the compressor cover and there was no visible oil on the compressor turbine or inside the housing but there was a very fine black film on the in side of the housing. The film was greasy. So, it looks like to me that the oil seal is starting to fail. The truck,90 W250 with 156,000, does not smoke other than the normal cold start up etc. I have not had any shutdown problems. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. Is the turbo about to fail? What is the best option; 1) Is it something I can rebuild(does it require special tools)?, 2) What is the best source for a replacement turbo? Any help you all can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

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Hey Goat, I just had my turbo rebuilt because of a broken thrust washer. Mine also had a thin layer of semi oily dirt on the compressor side. I had no other problems other than mine was making a grinding noise. The dirt was not very thick just a slight coating. With the compressor side being cast and very porous (sp) (not smooth) it makes things look real dirty. Unless you are getting extra smoke during normal driving you are probably O. K. What you can do is remove the compressor side cover and clean it real good. You can remove it by simply un-bolting the strap that goes around the housing. Clean it up good, and while you are at it clean out the air box and connecting hose from the air box to the turbo. Then run it for a month or two of normal driving and recheck it.

As far as a rebuild, I would not do it unless you saw an increase in smoke or had a noticibale problem. I have 225,000 miles on mine and everything inside was in great shape. If not for the thrust washer breaking about 3/4 of the surface area off I would not have had to have mine looked at. If you do decide to rebuild, let someone else do it. They can check your shaft for out of round and balance. Also there are several (4) very small snap washers (rings) that are a booger bear to get into place without the proper tools. The bearings are easy to replace it's the other stuff that is tricky. If you have reasonable mechanical ability you could do it but the cost of a screw up could be high!!! Not sure of new cost but rebuilt is still at least 375. 00 or more. Good luck and e-mail me if you have any questions.

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92 Ext. Cab, Auto trans. , 3. 54 Non-LS, Isspro Tach, 16 cm housing, no name 3 Gauge cluster, 220,000+ miles, straight pipe, old and abused but still running strong!!!!

 

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Do you use a K&N or other oil type air filter? It may cause that if you get a little happy with the oil on the filter as I have.

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93 W350 White 4" stack Headache rack with Lights. Gauges 27pnds boost Banks quick turbo. Hand Throttle CB

 

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Thanks for the info Shrimpy. The biggest concern I have is the movement in the shaft.

I just started using a K&N air filter and had only driven about 5 miles with the K&N installed, so I doubt that would be the cause. Something to think about in the future though. Thanks for the input.