Oil misting from Turbo, normal?

[digitalscientist]

Hi guys,

I have what looks like oil spatter/misting around the top of the turbo and a connection. It is also evident on the underside of the engine cover.

See the pics further below.

Is this normal, not normal, excessive etc?

Thanks!

[TwinKam]

Looks more like soot than oil to me.
Is it one of them thar dirdy diesels perchance?

[digitalscientist]

It is indeed a dirty diesel!

I assumed oil (as well as general muck).

The turbo is being a bit noisy so wondered if there might be a correlation.

So, looking fairly normal?

It had all been cleaned under there, and this is build up from approx 500 miles of use since.

[E-bmw]

TwinKam said:

Looks more like soot than oil to me.

^^^^ Wot 'e said, definitely soot.

So definitely not normal, soot is only from the exhaust & should not be getting out.

[GreenV8S]

If it really is oil escaping then you need to be careful. If it gets bad enough, it can lead to a turbo runaway where the engine runs on its own oil, followed by a rapid unscheduled disassembly..

[TwinKam]

You probably have a (slight) exhaust blow near each witness mark, easy to pinpoint with a length of tube, one end held to an ear whilst probing around with the other. Then a case of remaking that joint (if possible) or replacing broken component.

[digitalscientist]

Thanks for the input chaps. That all sounds logical. I'll see what I can do.