Let's Talk Oil Return please!!!!

[Jays2000ZX3]

OK, There has been some minor discussions here and there, but I would like to get is straight!

For the Oil return of the Turbo, where does everyones go?

The GUDE goes in the Oil pan, econorocketZX3's goes in the part of the engine between the oil pan and the block.

I have mine setup like the GUDE.

Some people are saying that this is not good, because the level of oil is usually ABOVE the oil pan, so it does not allow the Turbo to drain properly thus causing the seals to blow on the Turbo. BUT, when the engine is running, is there that much oil in the pan? Wouldn't it be all over inside the engine thus allowing the oil to drain properly?

If you have to drill into that part between the block and the pan, what do you have to do? From looking at it from underneath(With the pan off), if you drill into it, not all metal shavings will fall out since there is like a plate there. Do you take off that piece, drill and tap it and the replace it? If you are drilling and taping, do you screw in a special adapter piece so that you can hook up your oil line? All the fittings that I have seen, come in weird "pipe" type threads which is hard to find a tap for. So that do you do?

I hope this all makes sense! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

If anyone can shed some light, it would be great!

[img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

[Lee Martinez]

My dad took off the oil pan and welded the return connection to it just below the top of the pan.

I ever thought about oil level issues, but my dad's been a mechanic for over 20 years and he thinks it's alright so it's good enough for me.

My dad said he'd have to weld it and not tap it because of what and how the oil pan was made of.

If you weld it make sure you do it right with no leaks. Mine leaked and we had to patch it up using that black epoxy stuff. My dad want to take the oil pan off again and reweld it but I'm satisfied with it as it is.

As for too much oil messing up the turbo, I'd think if you did proper cool downs it wouldn't be a problem. Anybody disagree?

Anywhey that's how we did it. Good luck.

[Jays2000ZX3]

Lee, Yeah, that is what I did, I welded a little pipe as high as possible on the pan, but it leaked, so I used JB weld on it. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

I think my problem is that my turbo sits too low, and the drain hose is not on an angle enough, it is like horizontal.

[OmniFocus]

Jay... Besides oil level in the pan, the turbo drain port is also supposed to be within 45 degrees of straight down for good drainage.

[1turbofocus]

i also am in the pan

tom

[Jays2000ZX3]

Ok, so it should be at a 45 degree angle?

I will rework it this weekend hopefully and it will work better! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Jay

[OmniFocus]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Jays2000ZX3:
Ok, so it should be at a 45 degree angle?<hr></blockquote>

...at least according to the literature that came with my Garrett. (Sorry, non-Focus application)
I'll assume Mitsus work the same way.

[ILfocus]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Jays2000ZX3:
Lee, Yeah, that is what I did, I welded a little pipe as high as possible on the pan, but it leaked, so I used JB weld on it. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

I think my problem is that my turbo sits too low, and the drain hose is not on an angle enough, it is like horizontal.<hr></blockquote>
My turbo bolts right onto the stock manifold, my hose is pretty far from a 45 degree angle.
I had my inlet pipe brazed on both the inside and outside of the oil pan. I haven had one leak...except that busted seal in the turbo itself.

[ 05-17-2002: Message edited by: ILfocus ]</p>

[Jays2000ZX3]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by ILfocus:

My turbo bolts right onto the stock manifold, my hose is pretty far from a 45 degree angle.
I had my inlet pipe brazed on both the inside and outside of the oil pan. I haven had one leak...except that busted seal in the turbo itself.

[ 05-17-2002: Message edited by: ILfocus ]<hr></blockquote>


So you took off the flange that bolts up to the stock cat, and you added a flange for the Turbo? I thought of doing it this way before, looks like this is that I will have to do now.

You probably had to extend it a little right? The collector of the stock manifold? I know with my turbo, it would of hit the primaries.

[econorocketZX3]

This is where mine is located. I agree that most of the oil will be in the rest of the engine and not the oil pan while running, especially when at higher rpms when the oil pump is pumping faster. But another thing that I wondered is that if you are having blow by then that could pressurized the return line and not let the oil drain as well. Just throwing out ideas. This is what I was told to do by a Ford tech. He told me the majority of the time the oil level is above the the top of the oil pan and that's why it was backing up. Haven't had a problem since, so who am I to argue?

[Jays2000ZX3]

econorocketZX3, it would be VERY helpfull if you could post a pic or explain how you hooked up that oil line to the block? Just threaded a pipe and then drilled and threaded the block the same size?

[econorocketZX3]

Drilled and threaded a hole in the girdle housing or whatever its called.....after taking it off so as not to get metal shavings "all up in there". You can use whatever size fitting you deem necessary I used 3/8"(I think, its been almost a year) just to make sure it flows out of the turbo without restriction.

[Lee Martinez]

Just talking to my dad earlier he said the important thing is for the turbo to be higher than the top oil level in the engine.

That way even if you tap into the lower pan, the oil level will only go as high in the return pipe as it is in the engine.

[BLOWNSTANG]

Has anyone with the return hose going into the pan removed the hose to see if oil leaks out?

[1turbofocus]

yes oil leaks out a little on mine about 1 qt

the oil will not back up in the return line if the turbo is higher than the oil level,and the line is big enough

tom

[doogie78]

Stupid wuestion but what is involved in taking off the oil pan? How hard is it?

[Tobyboom]

Stupid wuestion but what is involved in taking off the oil pan? How hard is it?

About 16 8mm bolts and a screwdriver to break the seal all the way around.

[doogie78]

[zx3focusguy]

everytime I take my return off ( 10an braided with aeroquip swivels) I loose approx 1 quart any my return bung in the pan is as high as poissible. Scott

[nazthug]

how important is it to have a big enough diameter on the return?

I have 5/8" hydrolic hose but my opening in the fitting in the oil pan is only about 1/2" no more

But then again, all the turbo drain flanges that bolt to the turbo are no more than 1/2" anyways right? Even though the opening is square, all the flanges are a round 1/2" diameter i think


My drain is as high as possible on the oil pan, when i take the return off, about 1 quart leaks out, ofcourse this is with the engine off and all the oil in the pan, i think when the car is on, alot of the oil goes into the engine

still, can this cause a problem? SHould i tap a fitting higher up? Is there a final conclusion to this mystery??

Whats the minimum size of a oil return fitting you would safely use? Mine is no more than 1/2"

actually the inner diameter of the fitting is less then 1/2"....so whats the requirement?

I kinda wanna do it higher up with a bigger fitting, but im worried about messing up, those girdles look expensive and big

[doogie78]

how important is it to have a big enough diameter on the return?

I have 5/8" hydrolic hose but my opening in the fitting in the oil pan is only about 1/2" no more

But then again, all the turbo drain flanges that bolt to the turbo are no more than 1/2" anyways right? Even though the opening is square, all the flanges are a round 1/2" diameter i think


My drain is as high as possible on the oil pan, when i take the return off, about 1 quart leaks out, ofcourse this is with the engine off and all the oil in the pan, i think when the car is on, alot of the oil goes into the engine

still, can this cause a problem? SHould i tap a fitting higher up? Is there a final conclusion to this mystery??

Whats the minimum size of a oil return fitting you would safely use? Mine is no more than 1/2"

actually the inner diameter of the fitting is less then 1/2"....so whats the requirement?

I kinda wanna do it higher up with a bigger fitting, but im worried about messing up, those girdles look expensive and big

Check your PM's and Emails! Is the boost controller sold? Sorry for the interuption guys.

[nazthug]

ok...heres the deal

i went out and bought all the nice stuff, the blue/red fittings, ouch $$

I will be tapping the girdle BUTBUTBUT....where are you guys tapping on a zx3 girdle? They have all those little ripples going through it, i cant seem to find a flat spot with enough space to put it and still get a socket on top of it to tighten it down

the fittings i bought are -10 1/2" inside diameter i measured

It has a 1/2" thread that i have to use a 1/2" tap for(also expensive) and drill out a 23/32" hole for the tap(also $$)

It then goes into another blue/red fitting, im going with the press on/squeeze type fitting, not barbed, it looks cleaner

BUT the main problem is exactly where to tap it, with the socket over the fitting, it wont fit into any of those little squares on the girdle

HELP

[SlickShoes]

Here's where Vortech did it on my car. X marks the spot.

[doogie78]

Here's where Vortech did it on my car. X marks the spot.

That's exactly what I needed. Thanks.

[nazthug]

yeah too bad a -10 1/2" fitting wont fit in there with a socket unless you guys are trimming that X stuff down

I mean the fitting will fit in there, barely, but to even screw it in, the socket wont fit without hitting....i think its like a 24mm socket or something

unless they are using a smaller fitting, like 3/8 or something

but i heard that 1/2" ID is the smallest you wanna use for oil return fitting