Skip to main content
Topic: Turbo Oil Line Confusion... (Read 733 times) previous topic - next topic

Turbo Oil Line Confusion...

I recently rebuilt the engine and transmission in my 88 TC, and I've had numerous issues just getting the thing to run since getting everything installed. I've taken it to one shop, and they put a new distributor in and told me it was running, but not well. Basically, the thing is smoking like crazy and won't idle.

After the slightest bit of digging, I found what I feel has to be the issue: oil coming up through my intercooler and into the throttle body. The cause of this issue, as far as I can tell is that these three lines are not right. One of them was apparently plugged by my Dad because he couldn't figure out where it went, and I'm thinking it was causing some back pressure that was redirecting too much oil into the intercooler. Basically, what I need to know is the correct placement of these three lines. The biggest disconnect I'm having is that I see 2 places for 3 lines to attach. I can't find anywhere else for them to go.

Any help is greatly appreciated so I can get my old bird back on the road at last!

X

Turbo Oil Line Confusion...

Reply #1
Those lines are not your issue. As they are there to increase vacuum to the CRUSE CONTROL. They actually do nothing in my view for the cruse control but some will argue the issue. I disconnect each and every one of them and plug the inter cooler with a 1/8 pipe plug.  You most likely have a bad turbo if the rebuild is not the issue. Several engine builders have issues with the 2.3 as some fancy assembly is needed to make it right. But those fittings are not your issue.  There is 2 check valves involved in the system as it acts like a venturi to increase vacuum for the cruse control  Check your turbo it is most likely SHOT.

Plug the Bell where the line comes out of it. And plug the line with the check valve at the VACUUM TREE and also the inter cooler with a 1/8 pipe plug!! What i do is pull the nipples out of the bell and drill and tap them for plugs DUN!!!
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

Turbo Oil Line Confusion...

Reply #2
The turbo being bad was kind of my biggest fear. I'm going to try plugging those after I get off work in the morning just as a final check that it doesn't resolve the issue. If the turbo is indeed bad, it's getting swapped for a T3/T4 on Stinger headers to rotate it 90* and then do a FMIC. Unfortunately, that's gonna mean dropping some serious cash when I'm still trying to pay off the engine and transmission lol.

Soon enough though, I'll get these parts on the way and get this thing on the road.

Thanks for the help.

Turbo Oil Line Confusion...

Reply #3
Have you removed the VAM hose to check the turbo for play?

Travis

 

Turbo Oil Line Confusion...

Reply #4
if turbo seal is bad it will smoke like crazy