This may be a stupid question, but I will ask anyways....
Has anyone ever tried to run the oil return line back into the top of the valve cover where the passenger side PCV line connects to?

If not why would it be bad to do so.

Thanks

Gravity is all you have to put oil back into the engine from the turbo. increasing pressure to make it go back up would probably be more than the seals in the turbo could handle. And using some other device to increase pressure after the turbo would be a bigger PITA than tapping the oil pan IMO.

I'm a novice listen to what I say and make your own conclusion. If I'm wrong tell me and I will learn.

Originally posted by hs_elrod
Gravity is all you have to put oil back into the engine from the turbo. increasing pressure to make it go back up would probably be more than the seals in the turbo could handle. And using some other device to increase pressure after the turbo would be a bigger PITA than tapping the oil pan IMO. I'm a novice listen to what I say and make your own conclusion. If I'm wrong tell me and I will learn.

You are correct.

I had a simple 90* bend off my oil outlet and just that caused me to back up oil in the CHRA and leak out of the exhaust side seal and smoke, and it was a new turbo. took the 90* out and let it just drain straight down and no more leaking.

just run it to the pan... you'll be much happier in the end.

another thing, make sure your return is a bigass line. I recommend -8AN connectors at least, and don't put any bottlenecks anywhere in the line. I use a 1/2"NPT to -8AN fitting, then a -8AN pushlock hose end, a 1/2" rubber hose to another -8AN pushlock hose end and a -8AN bung welded to the pan. -6AN could work, but the bigger the better...

Originally posted by BumpinTalon... bung welded to the pan...

My shit is bolted with some rtv sealent... should I worry?

Originally posted by youkickedmydog
My shit is bolted with some rtv sealent... should I worry?

only if it leaks!

in this case bigger is better.

A few weeks ago when i first installed my kit, I had a tiny ass oil drain line. :shrug.

Turbo smoked the whole time pretty bad.

I now have a 1/2 inch line draining strait to the pan. works great.

^^ Fo'shizzle my'nizzle!

exactly tim. fo shizzzzle.

Isn't the turbo recieving the pressurized oil from the pump?

so wouldn't all the fittings be under some slight pressure? even though it drains back into a 'vacuum' of sorts?

Anyhow, sounds like some of you might have tried this and seen its faults, so I will take the advice and dump it back into the pan.

Originally posted by bzoss
Isn't the turbo recieving the pressurized oil from the pump? so wouldn't all the fittings be under some slight pressure? even though it drains back into a 'vacuum' of sorts? Anyhow, sounds like some of you might have tried this and seen its faults, so I will take the advice and dump it back into the pan.

Def. dump it back into the pan. Make the hole about an inch from the top lip, below the 2nd bolt on the front of the pan.

Originally posted by bzoss
Isn't the turbo recieving the pressurized oil from the pump? so wouldn't all the fittings be under some slight pressure? even though it drains back into a 'vacuum' of sorts? Anyhow, sounds like some of you might have tried this and seen its faults, so I will take the advice and dump it back into the pan.

yes the feed line is pressurized. but turbos are not supposed to have high oil pressure from the feed line either. this is why certain turbos (e.g. garrett GT turbos) require a restricter inline with the feed to reduce oil pressure going to the turbo. of course this doesn't help at all if your dump tube acts as a restricter. it'll end up pressurizing the oil in the turbo just as badly and cause oil leakage past the seals. turbos just need decent oil flow not high pressure.

so yea use a big dump tube. :)