Cat 3046 Gurus. Oil consumption question

[Tim98TA]

Cat 3046 in Cat 315L excavator
If I use it 8-10 hours a day, it consumes, not leaks, about 2-2.5 GALLONS of oil a day.
Yes it pretty smokes bad but not like a cloud. It won't let me upload a video.
I can see oil literally dripping out of the turbo exhaust before the muffler. It won't let me upload a video
I also thought I remember it dripping, slightly, out of the exhaust port at #5 but that may have been residual oil.
My thoughts were it could be 3 things. Rings on #5, head gasket, turbo seal.(The turbo was replaced in June of last year)
I pulled the head off.
Head gasket showed no signs of being compromised anywhere.
#5 cylinder was just as dry as the other cylinders.
The exhaust manifold was slightly wet.
The exhaust exit on the turbo was wet.
The exhaust blades on the turbo were dry.
I checked the return tube from the turbo. It was clear and not stopped up.
I put a straight edge(a 3' level) on the head just to see if I could see any warping. Did not see any but I know that that is not a true test.
The only real thing left, in my opinion, could be the turbo seal? I have never pulled a turbo apart, but I know the exhaust 'seals' are really just tiny piston rings.
How much of a PIA or difficulty is the pulling a turbo apart to check?

If anyone has any other ideas, PLEASE, spill the beans. LOL

 

[Align Machine Company]

How is the exhaust dripping but the turbo exhaust turbine dry? Do you have the serial number of the 315L? I can look up in SIS.

 

[Nige]

It won't let me upload a video.

You have to host the video somewhere else then link to it.

Do you have any idea of the total hours on the engine.?

 

[Tim98TA]

Serial number is 6YM02363.
It's definitely going thru the exhaust.
I've attached a picture of the bottom exhaust bolt of the turbo. It drips about every 1-1.5 seconds from there.
I've also attached a picture of the smoke.

I know pictures don't tell much of a story, but I would have to find a place to upload them.
Would Facebook work for that?

I have no idea on the total hours. It is either a '94 or '97 machine.

On another note, I did take the turbo apart today. I did notice some play on both ends before I took it apart. Is there supposed to be ANY play in there? I'm gonna guess no?
I'm a car guy but never messed with turbos. Mostly N2O, LOL

 

[Tim98TA]

See if this works for the videos

Items Shared on 1-30-2025

315L Videos

 

[Align Machine Company]

There should be almost no vertical movement of turbo shaft. There will be a very slight amount of plunging movement. That picture looks like your turbo shaft seals are pushing oil to the turbine side of turbo

 

[Tim98TA]

There should be almost no vertical movement of turbo shaft. There will be a very slight amount of plunging movement. That picture looks like your turbo shaft seals are pushing oil to the turbine side of turbo

That's what I was thinking as well.
Looks like this turbo only has 1 'seal' on the exhaust side. I will see if there is also a replacement brass bearing/bearing on that side as well.
I didn't get the impeller out of the pressure side. Is there also a seal behind that impeller that I can replace?

 

[Tim98TA]

Bad thing is this turbo is less than a year old.

 

[Nige]

Bad thing is this turbo is less than a year old.

Oil starvation.? Or was it an eBay special.?

Looks like this turbo only has 1 'seal' on the exhaust side. I will see if there is also a replacement brass bearing/bearing on that side as well.
I didn't get the impeller out of the pressure side. Is there also a seal behind that impeller that I can replace?

You shouldn't attempt to mess with turbos at that level. After resassembly there is no way you can re-balance the rotating parts of the turbo cartridge. Buy a replacement cartridge (if available) provided that the compressor and turbine housings are in good condition. Reman Part Number for turbo assembly is 10R7605.

 

[Align Machine Company]

Buy a cartridge. Agree

 

[Tim98TA]

I'm going to go with oil starvation for the mere fact that when it started giving me issues that I noticed my oil alarm was going off that I had low oil pressure. I think at that point it's starved the top of the turbo and that fried the seal. That's the only thing I can think of. It wasn't an eBay special but it was from a company I buy a few parts from. That replacement part number you gave me is that for a cat replacement turbo or the aftermarket? I have the model and serial number and everything of the turbo. I'll look that up as well. Thanks for all the advice and heads up. Much appreciated

 

[Tim98TA]

If I can't find a good cartridge to replace it with I think I'll just be safe and expensive and replace the whole Turbo. LOL

 

[Tim98TA]

Turbo tag

 

[Align Machine Company]

The number provided is a CAT reman number

 

[Nige]

The number provided is a CAT reman number

A 10R7605 Reman would be cheaper than buying another turbo of the 1177867 OEM Part Number that's on the tag.

 

[Tim98TA]

Googled that reman number and I get -0- hits that are worthy.

 

[Nige]

Googled that reman number and I get -0- hits that are worthy.

Cat dealer is your only option for the Reman Part Number.
Use the 117-7867 P/N and search for suppliers who offer Reman turbos for that part number. You will have to return your old turbo as a Core to obtain credit for it, which lowers the price.

 

[Tim98TA]

Gotcha. Will do. Thanks again.

 

[Tim98TA]

New turbo.
Same thing.
Ran it at idle for about 5 minutes and could see oil start coming out of the turbo exhaust side.
When I started it I cracked open the oil feed line and oil was flowing out of it.
Before I assembled it I made sure the oil drain tube was clear.
I'm at a loss.
Stunned.

 

[Simon C]

Simple test. Pull exhaust manifold off, plug turbo feed line off and plug turbo drain line. Start unit to watch if oil is pouring out of one port. Could have crack in head that leaks oil out of exhaust stud hole. There has to be some way to figure out where the oil is going.
Simon C