VNT turbo indexing

[Kermit'skeeper]

I know there are quite a few 80-90 members running AFN engines at 50 degrees and would like to hear everyone's opinions and experience with the angle of the oil drain from the turbo.
I fitted a recon VNT turbo from a passat using a JX manifold and Tim's adaptors. The oil drain was roughly 90 degrees from where I would like it to be. I had oil leaking from the exhaust turbine into the exhaust with a big puff of smoke when the engine was revved after a period of idling. I knew the turbo indexing could be either partly or entirely to blame but I also knew I would invalidate the warranty if I started messing with it (anti-tamper paint blobs on most of the bolts).
I sent the turbo back and got a replacement under warranty. The initial impression is that the problem is nothing like as bad with the second turbo, although I have only run the engine for about ten minutes.
I've searched on here and on brick-yard and have found reference to oil return pipe diameter being critical (I'm using 16mm bore hose) but can't find any detailed info on VNT turbo indexing in a t3.
Sorry if this has been covered in detail already but I've looked and can't find it.

[lloydy]

hi, my drain is at about 4.30 if you imagine a clock face, any more than that and its likely to pass oil. I'm using a passat exhaust manifold and turbo. There is a picture on facebook by mazz of a jx exhaust manifold and a adapter using a sharan turbo which apparently puts the drain even nearer to 6.00
you cant clock the vnt mech part of the turbo without a lot of work and measuring as you need to move the fixings for the actuator and mechanisms

[Kermit'skeeper]

I know it's not going to be easy to re-index the turbo I've got with the manifold I'm using which is why I'm on here asking for advice. Spinning the cartridge is easy enough but re-attaching the actuator in a position where it works correctly and clears the exhaust manifold and engine block looks tricky.
Would I be better replacing the turbo with a Sharan one? and if so which one.
I'm not on f###book so can't look at what Maz has done.
Passing some oil into the exhaust is bad but what I'm really concerned about is passing enough oil through the boost side so that engine runs on the oil until it dies in a smoky mess of melted pistons (I've seen it a couple of times and it's not pretty).
I'm also concerned about the life of the turbo bearings.

[lloydy]

Might be worth dropping Mazz a pm and asking what turbo he used, it was definitely from a sharan/galaxy but there does seem to be a infinite amount of turbos for these engines
This link might not work, but here is a few pics

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 008e22b218" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Kermit'skeeper]

Thanks for the link Lloydy, it worked fine. I'll drop Mazz a pm and see if he can help.

[Funbus]

Does your oil return go to sump?
Mine was going to crankcase which I believe is wrong. I'm rebuiling my engine now and its going to go to sump.
If I can't get a jx sump I'm making an adapter to go on the front of my sump.
Cheers

[lloydy]

Thanks for the link Lloydy, it worked fine. I'll drop Mazz a pm and see if he can help.

I'm sure he'll have the info

[lloydy]

Does your oil return go to sump?
Mine was going to crankcase which I believe is wrong. I'm rebuiling my engine now and its going to go to sump.
If I can't get a jx sump I'm making an adapter to go on the front of my sump.
Cheers

brickwerks sell a adapter to fit to the sump

[Kermit'skeeper]

Does your oil return go to sump?
Mine was going to crankcase which I believe is wrong. I'm rebuiling my engine now and its going to go to sump.
If I can't get a jx sump I'm making an adapter to go on the front of my sump.
Cheers

Yes, I'm using a JX sump, it's the angle the turbo is mounted at that is causing my issue.

[randolph57]

Kermit- I'm running a A4 vnt on a jx manifold re-indexed 120 degrees to give (the usual) oil drain/return at about 4:30.
This set up means the vnt actuator is very close to the engine block making vacuum pipe connection awkward. Luckily there is a recess for a core plug in exactly the right position to accommodate the pipe/ actuator canister.
I can't comment on the orientation applicable with other manifolds used but I've had no problems with smoking (apart from a whisp on start up) oil leakage or other problems.
Looking at the turbo from the rear of the van the drain hose is horizontal to sump connection which makes the outlet from the Turbo approx 1" above the block base (don't know how this equates to actual sump level)

[Kermit'skeeper]

Thanks for reply randolph, this is exactly the info I was looking for. Do you have any photos?
Mazz has helpfully told me about a Sharan AFN turbo that would bolt straight onto my set up with the drain in the right place, but I've already shelled out a good lump of cash on a re-con passat one it would be good to make the one I've got work.