Oil in intercooler

[cometcyclonemk]

I recently pulled the intercooler on my 85 SVO and in the hoses connecting it to the turbo and intake there was a small amount of motor oil. The turbo was replaced 16,000 miles ago so I wouldn't think it'd be bad. Is a certain amount of oil normal, or is any amount of oil a sign of a bad turbo? It doesn't smoke, so its obviously not all that bad, and makes good boost, but I have a feeling that the turbo may be the cause - mark

[Xaranthu]

This is a common issue, but can point to more than one possible problem. If you still have the stock valve cover evac setup on your car - the metal tube that runs from the back of the valve cover to the inlet elbow on the turbo - this is the likely source of the oil you see. It gets sucked up out of the valve cover by the turbo under high boost.

You can get a check valve to put in-line in that location or switch to a catch can or open element breather. With only 16 K miles on a turbo, I'd be pretty upset if the seals were gone already.

Wade.

[cometcyclonemk]

Thanks for the info. However I tried several local parts houses and none seem to carry a breather cap that will fit. It's much smaller than the normal opening I'm used to seeing on older vehicles. Would you happen to have a part number on a open element breather cap that would fit?

[GAboySVO]

Before you go replacing parts, you might want to verify that your PCV valve is motocraft, 1st and working correctly, 2nd.

The SVO uses a closed system PCV setup. You may want to do a search for PCV system as Mike Flemming has posted an explaination of how the system works.

Also, Lonchair has posted pictures of his catch can setup. Tiny Avenger used to have a breather you could install on the SVO. Myself, I justed used a clear plastic fuel filter in line to act as a catch can.