2013 Turbo Oil Leak
01-05-2017, 12:20 AM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
2013 Turbo Oil Leak
Sadly, the drivers side turbo on my 2013 ecoboost has developed an oil leak. The bottom of the turbo is wet as well as the intake boot going into the turbo.
The bottom pipe on the passenger side, going into the CAC, is also wet with oil residue. I know this must have started within the last 5-7,000 miles as it was dry when I crawled under the truck for my previous oil change. But noticed the leak while doing an oil change just last week. The passenger side turbo is completely dry, as is the upper passenger side CAC tube.
The truck currently has 87,000 miles, and I am outside of any warranty coverage. The engine and turbos seem to run fine, no abnormal noises, idles normal, and doesn't seem to be down on power or MPG. (19 combined)
I will say this truck has always seemed to generate quite a bit of white smoke on cold start (even in summer time), but that will cease once the engine warms up.
I live in North Texas, this is my daily driver and commute 60 miles round trip. I certainly do not want to risk a catastrophic failure; so I will be getting it into the dealer this week for diagnosis. I'm not sure what to expect.
Does this look like an oil feed or return line leak? Or failing internal turbo seals? (I suspect the later given the oil residue down by the CAC)
Can they rebuild the turbo or would it require replacement?
The bottom pipe on the passenger side, going into the CAC, is also wet with oil residue. I know this must have started within the last 5-7,000 miles as it was dry when I crawled under the truck for my previous oil change. But noticed the leak while doing an oil change just last week. The passenger side turbo is completely dry, as is the upper passenger side CAC tube.
The truck currently has 87,000 miles, and I am outside of any warranty coverage. The engine and turbos seem to run fine, no abnormal noises, idles normal, and doesn't seem to be down on power or MPG. (19 combined)
I will say this truck has always seemed to generate quite a bit of white smoke on cold start (even in summer time), but that will cease once the engine warms up.
I live in North Texas, this is my daily driver and commute 60 miles round trip. I certainly do not want to risk a catastrophic failure; so I will be getting it into the dealer this week for diagnosis. I'm not sure what to expect.
Does this look like an oil feed or return line leak? Or failing internal turbo seals? (I suspect the later given the oil residue down by the CAC)
Can they rebuild the turbo or would it require replacement?
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joedotmac (10-12-2021)
01-05-2017, 02:14 PM
#2
Boost :)
Generally a failed seal will manifest itself in smoke (grey/blue color) out the exhaust when idling. Generally while driving or accelerating, it won't smoke. Just when slowing down and at idle. Usually a seal will not cause an external leak.
To me I would bet an O-ring or fitting on the oil inlet or outlet. I've seen and heard of a few with rings in the drain leak. Looked quite similar to your picture.
You would know if the turbo was failing internally as well. Power would be down and I'm sure you would have at least a CEL or two also. My money is on a leaking gasket or seal within or around the oil supply or drain.
Also, any turbo can be rebuilt. I would bet money however that Ford would not do that. They would buy a rebuilt one to put on the truck and charge you way too much for it. There are LOTS of places in TX that rebuild turbos. Not terribly expensive, but you have down time associated with it.
To me I would bet an O-ring or fitting on the oil inlet or outlet. I've seen and heard of a few with rings in the drain leak. Looked quite similar to your picture.
You would know if the turbo was failing internally as well. Power would be down and I'm sure you would have at least a CEL or two also. My money is on a leaking gasket or seal within or around the oil supply or drain.
Also, any turbo can be rebuilt. I would bet money however that Ford would not do that. They would buy a rebuilt one to put on the truck and charge you way too much for it. There are LOTS of places in TX that rebuild turbos. Not terribly expensive, but you have down time associated with it.
06-28-2017, 01:03 PM
#6
Member
Thread Starter
Sorry for abandoning this post.
After cleaning the oil leak up and putting another 10K miles on the truck haven't seen any oil leaks here. My best guess was spilled oil dripped down here during the last oil change. The location is more less directly below the filler neck.
After cleaning the oil leak up and putting another 10K miles on the truck haven't seen any oil leaks here. My best guess was spilled oil dripped down here during the last oil change. The location is more less directly below the filler neck.
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osolis51 (04-07-2021)
09-17-2019, 02:14 PM
#7
Member
Thread Starter
Again. Sorry for updating a very old post. But I was finally able to resolve this. Turns out it was not oil, but a coolant leak from the hard line connectors. Difficult job, but I was able to order the parts and do the replacement myself with the help of this video.
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joedotmac (10-12-2021)
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10-10-2019, 09:54 AM
#8
Senior Member
Last oil change I went under and looked around. There was oil on the turbo. I panicked a little bit and then looked around up top.
the O ring on the oil fill cap had failed and was allowing a little oil past and dropped down on top of the turbo. 5 cent 0 ring.
also the PCV hose that is disconnected was moved to the rear and was dropping crap on top of the turbo area.
so it might not be a turbo failure. It might be something simpler than that.
the O ring on the oil fill cap had failed and was allowing a little oil past and dropped down on top of the turbo. 5 cent 0 ring.
also the PCV hose that is disconnected was moved to the rear and was dropping crap on top of the turbo area.
so it might not be a turbo failure. It might be something simpler than that.
12-11-2020, 11:51 AM
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02-22-2022, 10:21 PM
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2013 Ford F150 Ecoboost 3.5L
I am experiencing an oil burning smell inside the vehicle after the engine warms up. After letting a repair shop diagnose the problem they are telling me that it's an oil line that connects to the turbo and to replace the line the turbo will have to be removed. Price they quoted me
was $1500.00 WOW. Please anyone have some feedback?
I am experiencing an oil burning smell inside the vehicle after the engine warms up. After letting a repair shop diagnose the problem they are telling me that it's an oil line that connects to the turbo and to replace the line the turbo will have to be removed. Price they quoted me
was $1500.00 WOW. Please anyone have some feedback?
