Hi all, having just removed the top part of the inlet manifold to replace the rubber joints between the two halves on my 2.1td, i've noticed lots of oil in each of the inlet tracts it's had some signs of this since I bought the car but it's much worse now... when I had the head off, I replaced the valve stem seals so I know it's not those.

So, what's the consensus of opinion ? terminal turbo unit failure imminent ? the car still goes well and doesn't smoke much unless I floor it.

All advice appreciated, hope I don't have to remove the b####y turbo again - what a pain in the bum, anyone managed this with the engine in situ ? last time, i did this while it was still attached to the cylinder head.

Best wishes, Colin.P

Hi Colin,

My 2.1TD has done that to some degree since I got it. Initially I thought it was the turbo oil seals, but it uses no oil on the dipstick.

I've spoken to a few people about it, and the general consensus seems to be that the oily residue that collects in the intercooler pipe and manifold is just the remnants of burnt fuel etc. I may be wrong on this, but if it was the turbo seals you would soon notice the drop in oil, blue smoky exhaust, and imminent turbo death.

One other problem I did encounter though, was the oil eventually dribbling out of the air pipe where it joins the manifold, and eventually onto the rubber pipes below, causing them to perish, and causing this on mine....

Hi Colin

I would concur, all of mine have had some oil in the airways, it just seems to be the breathing effect of the engine, even my latest aquisition has, and that's got a new engine! Unless its pouring out or you have lots of blue smoke from the exhaust, I wouldn't worry about it.

Peter.N.

Is this related to the EGR - and if so is it easy to disable the EGR?

Thanks for the replies gents, me and my wallet will sleep tonight have to do something about it though, can't be doing the intercooler any good efficiency wise... Kiwi, thanks for the hint but I removed the vaccuum from the egr valve a while ago.

Cheers Colin.P

Providing your air filter is in good nick, you shouldn't have any dust sticking to the inside of it and it would seem that the turbo is doing a good job of blowing the oil out.

Peter.N.

My XM, Xantia and the 405 all do this to some extent.

Steve