New Center Cartridge leaking oil
 

We ordered a couple of T3 cartridges from custom coach(speedpartsrus). Well one has been leaking oil(haven't used the other one yet). The oil is coming out in between the center cartridge and the exhaust housing and dripping off the clamps/clasps. Has anybody else had this problem? Oil return is fine. Oil feed is a -4 however there is a .060(I think that's what it is) restrictor so it's actually under a -3.
Could this be why the cartridges are so cheap? We have another one here and are hoping it doesn't do the same thing. I was going to order the 60/48 for my car as well, but now I dunno. The cartridge has been on the car for over a week now. Thanks.

Nate

Re:New Center Cartridge leaking oil
 

hmm interesting....just send them an email and see what they say. I'm sure they'll take care of you.

Re:New Center Cartridge leaking oil
 

Yea I'm going to call him. I was just curious to see how many people are running these cartridges 8)

Re:New Center Cartridge leaking oil
 

Where is the restrictor located? Is it on the turbo inlet or back at the block where the line is tapped. If the latter move the restrictor directly ON the turbo. It doesnt just restrict the pressure it restricts the VOLUME of the flow. When you restrict back at the block the volume is still there through the line. I had that same problem, same leak in the same damn spot, drove me nuts. I called the guy who rebuilt the turbo, moved the oil restrictor onto the turbo oil inlet and its been great since.

Re:New Center Cartridge leaking oil
 

Yea, it's on the turbo. We were going to put it on the back of the block as well, but figured it might be better right at the turbo. Thanks.

Re:New Center Cartridge leaking oil
 

Anthony really needs to be rebuilding these turbos himself, rather than having his wife do them all day. Ha... I'm curious on what he has to say. =)

Re:New Center Cartridge leaking oil
 

hahahaha. I want a wife that rebuilds turbos...

Re:New Center Cartridge leaking oil
 

I called Anthony and I told him we could take some pics of the feed line and oil return line so he wants those. He said it could be from too much oil pressure or the feed or return line, which in my opinion can't be the case. We were running a -4an on a 14b and it was fine(and now it has the .060 restrictor). Oil return is not kinked whatsoever. Same size return and everything. And I doubt there could be too much oil pressure(it's a d series). We pulled the comp housing and there is oil all in it and the charge pipes leading to the intercooler as well. Hopefully this gets resolved ASAP.

Re:New Center Cartridge leaking oil
 

To top it all off, the compressor housing we just bought(he was using mine) doesn't fit. They look exactly the same, both off the T-Bird. 60 trim housings. One fits, one doesn't. We had the same problem with the volvo housing not fitting the .42/.48 cartridge and found out from Anthony that the older volvo housings are a different size. So it must mean there are some t bird turbos out there that have a different comp size wheel then >:(

Re:New Center Cartridge leaking oil
 

Ok, so here are the pics. Anthony said to try a -3 and that should solve it, so we are going to try it. Our restrictor now is .060". A -3 technically should be .1875". Over double the size, but less volume since it's a -3 instead of a -4. What do you guys think?

http://www.5thgencivic.com/dparts/Picture%20114.jpg

http://www.5thgencivic.com/dparts/Picture%20115.jpg

http://www.5thgencivic.com/dparts/Picture%20116.jpg

http://www.5thgencivic.com/dparts/Picture%20118.jpg

http://www.5thgencivic.com/dparts/Picture%20119.jpg