This may sound like a dumb question and I am pretty sure of the answer but would like to ensure I am correct as I am no diesel mech by any means.

I installed a new turbo (a used one from ebay) yesterday due to the old one losing a few fins on the front fan to plastic from generic cold air intake. The truck does seem to run a little better but it seems to be burning oil (white smoke) now which brings me to my question. Are there seals in the turbo that can wear out/ go bad that would cause it to burn oil resulting in the white smoke. I can smell that it is positively oil burning. And I would have to believe since it did not smoke like this before the new turbo and that is the only change made that is where the problem is coming from.
I just want to know if I am correct before contacting the seller to see what they have to say.

Thanks Keith

Oil will have a blue tint to it, not white..... but yea turbos have a seal that can leak oil into the compressor housing and make it burn oil

take off the intake and look at the compressor, if it is covered in black oil then yes you have a seal leak, and your turbo needs to be rebuilt, if there is no oil present, and you disconnect the turbo from the upper intake manifold and there is no excessive oil present on the turbo outlet or on the intake tube then your source is from something else.

Sounds like the exhaust side seals leaking, blowing raw oil into the downpipe. This will usually produce whitish/blue smoke. This exhaust/turbine side seals are more like to fail due the higher heat on the exhaust side vs the air intake/compressor side.

very good point, i didnt even think about that...

thanks I was kind of thinking that there had to be a seal in there somewhere and since it did not smoke before installing the turbo I gather it safe to say the seals are probably comprimised weather from heat or from being off the vehicle to long.
ANy good bad or ugly as far as rebuilding the turbo or just better off letting the shops do so?

Thanks
keith

I've heard that its pretty difficult to do, but better let someone with some better expereince pipe in before I send you off to a shop.

thanks I was kind of thinking that there had to be a seal in there somewhere and since it did not smoke before installing the turbo I gather it safe to say the seals are probably comprimised weather from heat or from being off the vehicle to long.
ANy good bad or ugly as far as rebuilding the turbo or just better off letting the shops do so?

Thanks
keith
What kind of price/guarantee did you get for the dude on ebay? Did it say anything about it coming off a "working engine, core for rebuilt, used with no warranty or guarantee" etc? I would lean on the seller first before proceeding with a rebuilt, if that is in fact what is needed.

unfortunatley I can not seem to find the guys info I bought it from on ebay. I have had it for 45 days or so as the truck decided I needed a new IP prior to swapping out the turbo. As I recall it was something to the effect of off a good running engine when placed on the shelf. Although I think with the 45 days or so they would probably llaugh at me anyway. So probably best to chalk the $85.00 up to "knew I should have stayed off ebay" and go ahead and cough up the dough for a reman one and getthe warranty also. Any suggestions on a good reman vendor?

Look on the compressor housing for the BW\IHI part number and GM-# - whut it is?

GM Diesel turbos have only centrifugal maze-type seals on both ends, with an additional piston-ring type seal on the exhaust end to prevent EBP from entering the bearing area at low rpm - you can pull the turbo and check for turbine oil leak(s) - the exhaust elbow will be way oily if leaking - should be fresh-sooty but not wet

Got pics?

As this is my daily driver I am stuck working on it on the weekends. I will pull back off this Friday and get some pics. are the seals something that are easy to replace or should I just bite the bullet. Will driving with bad seal do damage or just burn off my precious oil?

Unless raw oil is dripping out the tailpipe already, it's not really hurting anything - wait till after the examination to start worryin' about a prognosis, eh.................

Thanks for easing the mind on that. and look out little cars here comes smokey.....

I installed a new turbo (a used one from ebay) yesterday due to the old one losing a few fins on the front fan to plastic from generic cold air intake. The truck does seem to run a little better but it seems to be burning oil (white smoke) now which brings me to my question. Are there seals in the turbo that can wear out/ go bad that would cause it to burn oil resulting in the white smoke. I can smell that it is positively oil burning. And I would have to believe since it did not smoke like this before the new turbo and that is the only change made that is where the problem is coming from.
I just want to know if I am correct before contacting the seller to see what they have to say.

Thanks Keith

Here is my $0.02

If you bought the turbo from a person that said it was good, I'd return it. The leaking hot side oil will cause you to fail emission inspection if you ever have to do it, and if the smoking is bad, you can get a ticket from a police officer as a safety issue.

Plus the fact that burning oil will lower the level in your engine after awhile. Forget to check it, and *Bang*.

I would fix it, but it is me. I'm picky.

definettly going to fix it I hate following he guyu who is burning oil and now I am "him". I just can not down the truck for a few hours until the weekend to examine what the problme is and I am trying to find out what the best options are once I do verify that it is the seal. I am still trying to find out if the seal is a DIY I have determined a rebuild is probably best left to the guys with the right tools ( and know how)
Also still looking for suggestions where to get a good quality reman if that is the case.

go back to flea bay,. all the vendors info is there from your auction,..just check out again like you,re going to pay for it,. and his info will come up,.
Nick