Ok so I was talking with my mechanic and he was telling me that the cause for my oil leak could be to much of a pressure build up in my turbo line for what the turbo needs. He suggested I install an oil restrictor to cut downb the oil PSI to my turbo. Anyone know anything about these?

If your turbo already blew it's seals you should have plenty of time to read about restrictors while you're rebuilding it. j/k

quote Originally posted by jasonfox: If your turbo already blew it's seals you should have plenty of time to read about restrictors while you're rebuilding it. j/k

Nah it dident blow. turbonetics told me that unless im running 90 oil PSI or higher i wont need a restrictor.

if your turbo is journal bearing it shouldn't need it, should be fine after a rebuild.

Here's the info from garrett


Does my turbo require an oil restrictor?

Oil requirements depend on the turbo's bearing system type. Garrett has two types of bearing systems; traditional journal bearing; and ball bearing.

The journal bearing system in a turbo functions very similarly to the rod or crank bearings in an engine. These bearings require enough oil pressure to keep the components separated by a hydrodynamic film. If the oil pressure is too low, the metal components will come in contact causing premature wear and ultimately failure. If the oil pressure is too high, leakage may occur from the turbocharger seals. With that as background, an oil restrictor is generally not needed for a journal-bearing turbocharger except for those applications with oil-pressure-induced seal leakage. Remember to address all other potential causes of leakage first (e.g., inadequate/improper oil drain out of the turbocharger, excessive crankcase pressure, turbocharger past its useful service life, etc.) and use a restrictor as a last resort. Garrett distributors can tell you the recommended range of acceptable oil pressures for your particular turbo. Restrictor size will always depend on how much oil pressure your engine is generating-there is no single restrictor size suited for all engines.

Ball-bearing turbochargers can benefit from the addition of an oil restrictor, as most engines deliver more pressure than a ball bearing turbo requires. The benefit is seen in improved boost response due to less windage of oil in the bearing. In addition, lower oil flow further reduces the risk of oil leakage compared to journal-bearing turbochargers. Oil pressure entering a ball-bearing turbocharger needs to be between 40 psi and 45 psi at the maximum engine operating speed. For many common passenger vehicle engines, this generally translates into a restrictor with a minimum of 0.040" diameter orifice upstream of the oil inlet on the turbocharger center section. Again, it is imperative that the restrictor be sized according to the oil pressure characteristics of the engine to which the turbo is attached. Always verify that the appropriate oil pressure is reaching the turbo.

The use of an oil restrictor can (but not always) help ensure that you have the proper oil flow/pressure entering the turbocharger, as well as extract the maximum performance.

quote Originally posted by jasonfox: Um... oil leak = blown seal... what am I missing in this picture? Side note, are you giving your turbo time to cool down before shutting off your car or are you just parking and turning the car off? Excessive heat soak could be causing some of your issues.

The oil leak i have is in the turbo line at the T fitting not the turbo itself. its prettymuch a brand new turbo.

And i gave the car at least 30 seconds before shutting it down,. i need to get a turbo timer.

Sounds like the line or fitting is leaking. That should have nothing to due with a restrictor. Can you get a good pic? Is it the feed or return line?

quote Originally posted by 1fatcat: Sounds like the line or fitting is leaking. That should have nothing to due with a restrictor. Can you get a good pic? Is it the feed or return line?

I'll try but its in an odd spot. I had it fixed and i think its holding but im not 100% sure yet.

quote Originally posted by jasonfox: Um... oil leak = blown seal... what am I missing in this picture?

You need to see his setup before you can reasonably arrive at that conclusion although he has clarified that it is an actual leak at the fitting instead of oil into the exhaust which I first suspected. Oil getting past the seal on a previously properly functioning turbo is likely a sign of a failing unit, on a new turbo it can be a restrictive air filter or insufficient oil drain which usually flairs up intermittently when engine rpm along with oil flow increases to the point of outflowing the drain causing oil to backup into the turbo and spill into the exhaust turbine which has the equivalent of a piston ring with a gap so if you stand the turbo on end oil will leak past it into the turbine housing, it's not that great of a barrier against oil passage and I recall its main purpose is to keep exhaust gasses out of the oil.

A good sealent on the threads should help stop the leak, I wouldn't use a restrictor on a turbo that didn't need it such as in this case. I also opt for water cooled units which last longer and a switch to synthetic oil is good insurance also.