Hi all, I was wondering if you could give some advice.

Ok here’s the story. Sorry for long read. I have a HX32 for an rb25, I had an an10 drain. Discovered it was too small for the holset.

Oil didn’t drain quick enough, and leaked out core. I made up a 20mm ID steel drain for the turbo. I decided to take the turbo apart to clean it as I feared it was contaminated from being in the shed (it was) so i rebuilt it with China kit. After a few mins idling, It leaked oil out compressor side. I later found out the part numbers weren’t compatible (although the parts looked identical ?) I thought ok I will source a quality kit(Mellet) specifically for the Hx32w. But sadly it’s leaking again from the compressor side. You can see the oil coming out the compressor wheel.

I read on mellet they can leak at idle ? but will get not leak if upto engine speeds. I cannot get upto engine speeds as it’s a project and needs mapped etc and bits and bobs. But it didn’t leak oil before I rebuilt it and again it only idled.

I have double checked all the usuals. My Drain isn’t blocked. the drain is basically bang on vertical. I have disconnected the oil breather lines.

It’s an An4 feed. Do you think I should try a restrictor? I know a restrictor should not be necessary though... I’m fed up and on the verge of just buying another turbo but I’d rather not as I’m sure you know a genuine holset HX32 is hard to come by. Thinking of buying hx35 chra and putting my 32 stuff on it.

The current oil level is a little on the low side, however still between min and max. Maybe it needs more oil to build pressure perhaps ?


Thanks.

 

I also found these which would suggest it is drain related ?






The guy doesn’t even use the “oil seal” in the 2nd video. And still doesn’t leak oil.

Although I checked the drain tube and is clear. I will now check the fitting into the block as that could be blocked. Or one or both oil cavities to the bearings could have a tiny bit of Debris blocking them.

I also found turbo lab of America suggested minimum thickness of 10w-30 with journals as *sometimes* oil can get out if the oil isn’t thick enough. Interestingly I changed to 5w50 (although recommend for rb25s) around the time I changed the turbo to the holset.

My next steps are inspect drain fitting and give a good clean to both journal feed cavities. If no success I will change oil to some sort of 10w.

 

Also had the compressor housing off and started it up and pretty much leaked within 5 seconds of turning the key? surely if it was drain related it would take longer to build up the oil to leak ?

took the turbo off and cleaned the chra again and quite a fair amount of metal dust came out. Maybe the oil cavities were blocked with all this shit and just poured out the seals ?

I’m going to modify my oil fitting into the block today. it’s parallel with the floor so i might weld a small bend on it so my oil drain hose fits into it more naturally.

haven’t tried it back up yet.

If still doesn’t work I think it can only be:
•inadequate piston rings/gap?
•excessive crank case blow by
•restrictor needed? Although JBs don’t need one


Any help greatly appreciated

 

Where is all of the metal coming from... That's very alarming and not normal. Check your drain route, I doubt you have enough blowby at idle to cause this unless the engine is toast.

I had issues on my hx35 leaking into the intercooler without a restrictor. You'll find a lot of conflicting information on restrictors, I used it as a last resort.

 

too much oil pressure?