So I finally got some time to climb under the car again this morning to check that oil return line. I think I correctly identified the oil return line that runs from under the turbo to the head. It didn't look oily, but I guess the heat from the turbo could have burned the oil that may have leaked from the top of this line?
I saw the cheesy looking spring clamps...not the stiff ones that I've seen on other hoses on this car, but wiry ones that look like you could remove with your bare hands.
The line itself was wider than I expected so I don't think the rubber hose and clamps I had on hand would have worked anyway. Plus I imagine it takes a special hose to stand up to the heat of the turbo. The line was very stiff...it felt like metal unless I dug my nail into it and I could barely tell that it was (or used to be) rubber. Even if it was flexible and I had the proper hose on hand, I don't think I would have been able to replace it from under the car. Access was very limited.
So the car is going back to Kspeed. I'm sure Cory will figure it out and get it all fixed up. I'm bringing my spare turbo too. I figure that the stocker can't have that much life left in it right? After 120K miles with most of them stage 2, I’m surprised the car still runs as strong as ever. Spool is better than ever as well, since the inlet pipe install.
If Cory has to remove it to fix the leak anyway, might as well put the low mileage/stock boosted turbo in there right? I was thinking I'd ask the shop to replace any gasket, hose, clamp, etc that's close to the turbo just to make sure it's all set and dependable again. Thoughts? Should I log the car after the new turbo? It’s the exact same TD04.