Turbo Oil Leak

[bfarroo]

So the motor is back in my 89 CSX and running. I didn't do anything to it when it was out other than to clean things up. Put it back in and the turbo is leaking slightly externally between the hot side and center section. Just enough to give a slight smoke from the back of the engine as the oil is burning off the turbo. Any thoughts? It's a stock VNT and it didn't have much play when I had it out and the intake and exhaust were clean. The car is not smoking at all out the tailpipe. Here's a picture, you can see the wet area at the bottom of the turbo.

[cordes]

I would think that it's leaking out of the seal on the turbine side. I would also think that once the oil cokes up and forms a carbon seal there you'll be blowing the smoke out the tail pipe.

[Fox]

are you sure its not from the oil return, it could be the o-ring between the return tube to the center turbo section

[bfarroo]

I'm going to pull the drain tube tonight and check it.

[bfarroo]

Replaced the o-ring and started it up and it doesn't appear to be leaking anymore so either it was the o-ring or it just stopped. either way is fine with me. Car is down on all 4. Have a few odds and ends to finish up this weekend and I should be set. Need to get a list together. I'm sure I'll forget something.

[JohnnyIroc]

did it have a very harsh burnt oil smell