Source
r/Cartalk•
aurix

88 Chrysler LeBaron - Oil leaking into intake manifold from turbo

The engine has 170k miles on it. The original turbo wasn't working when my brother got the car. My brother had a new one fitted and it worked fine for about a week and then it stopped working. This was about two years ago and at the time I don't believe the turbo was leaking oil. I don't believe the turbo was leaking much oil when I got the car a year later either.

It is leaking from the turbo now though, I'm probably going through a quart of 20W-50 every 200 miles. I had to buy 4 pronged spark plugs because the amount of oil buildup on the plugs caused the engine to miss and even die once. The oil also looks very, very black when I change it at 3,000 miles.

I'm pretty sure it's coming from the turbo, the air is clean before the turbo but the throttle body always has a small puddle of oil in it and the air tube also has oil on it. I also noticed that the brake booster line has some oil around where it connects to the intake manifold, could oil get into the brake booster and lower my braking power? Just a thought.

Anyways, I'd like to keep this car for atleast another year but I'm a poor student so a new rebuilt engine and turbo (~$1600) is out of the question for now. I would like to do something about this though.

The simplest idea would be to take the turbo off, replace the seals and put it back in place. Not sure how long this would last or if it's a good idea with a turbo that seems to be toast.

I could bypass the turbo intake side and just route the air cleaner straight to the throttle body. Would it still leak oil though? Exhaust gas? What if the turbo sucked something up while driving without the intake duct to protect the turbine?

Can't really remove the turbo, it's connected to both oil and coolant lines and I would need a new exhaust manifold so that would take a lot of time and effort and new parts.

I could do nothing. It's what I have been doing for a while now. Seems to work ok besides the ridiculous oil consumption, smelly exhaust and misfires.

Any advice?

Posted Jul 26, 2012, 3:58 AM UTC

213
agravaini might be showing her my "O" face•

you can rebuild a turbo...there are places that will if you take it off and send it to them...or someplace local in your area..

and you need to do something soon...you are killing the engine...the oil leak will just get worse

1
aurixOP88 Chrysler LeBaron 2.2 turbo•

I could probably replace the oil seals myself, the engine is fairly old though and I'm not sure if I want the turbo working like new. It did crap out after about a week on my brother.

1
TrouserPuddingWorks at Chotchkie's•

I could probably replace the oil seals myself

No, you can't. It's not a DIY job.

Well, sure, some people try. But it's a really bad idea in general. A home shop simply doesn't have the tool you need to do the job properly (especially checking balance).

The absolutely cheapest thing you can do is to price out if a replacement or a rebuild is cheaper, get that, and do the removal and install yourself.

0
aurixOP88 Chrysler LeBaron 2.2 turbo•

I don't care if the turbo works, I just want it to not leak oil everywhere.

1
aurixOP88 Chrysler LeBaron 2.2 turbo•

What if I replace the seals then set the wastegate so that it is always open?

1
GMUSSTNI like K cars and I'm only mildly ashamed•

Man I really hope you get this fixed. I love the old LeBarons.

I think you gotta take the turbo off just to see what's going on. You're not going to be able to diagnose it with the thing on. Also, if you haven't ever done a head gasket that could also be the issue--anywhere between 120k and 170k miles all the old K engines needed a head gasket. But since it's coming from the turbo, that's probably not it.

1
greasytshirtMedium-duty Japanese diesel specialist•

See if the shaft in the turbo is seized.

If it is, just block off the oil feed line to it. It cant get more seized.

1
aurixOP88 Chrysler LeBaron 2.2 turbo•

Good idea but it isn't seized.

1
aurixOP88 Chrysler LeBaron 2.2 turbo•

Not that it creates any meaningful boost though.

1
nappythrill22a degree in mechanics but still unemployed...•

I totally came here to be a trolling asshole, and give you shit for driving a LeBaron, but I know how frustrating something like that can be, so I'm refraining for now. Question however:.... Is this a project thats tied to heart strings or is this old dog your DD?

0
aurixOP88 Chrysler LeBaron 2.2 turbo•

Why would you give me shit for driving a LeBaron? Anyways, I drive it to school everyday. About 10k miles a year?

1
nappythrill22a degree in mechanics but still unemployed...•

I'm surprised that nobody has told you yet, but your beloved LeBaron is very "make fun of-able". But all kidding aside,... if its your DD, than you should probably put some money towards a cheaper to operate, and more reliable vehicle. It will save you some good money, and a lot of untimely headaches, and inconveniences.

1
aurixOP88 Chrysler LeBaron 2.2 turbo•

Heh, everyone who has seen my car has liked it. You know it's the convertible with the digital dash and not the boxy sedan?

Also it has been super reliable for me (and my brother), this is the only real issue. True, I have replaced a lot of things in the car but parts are cheap and my labor is free (plus I like working on it).

1