Chrysler Repair: Turbo - internal seal oil bypass, oil filler cap, excess buildup

Question
1989 Labaron - 2.5 turbo - 80,000 miles
Oil useage approx 1.0 qt/200-250 miles & no other visible oil leaks present. Engine seems to be performing ok!

Could the excessive oil useage be due to the internal turbo seal failing causing oil bypass or some other reason having to do with the turbo?

In either case, assuming the turbo is the problem, is there a quick fix alternative other than replacing the turbo (turbo replacement cost approx $1,000-1,200)? Is there any remedy or additive I can try?

Any ideas or suggestions!

Thank you for your help - in advance

Don  

Answer
Hi Don,
I am not expert in turbos, never having owned one.
But I would imagine that the oil is getting away somewhere at that rate of loss. I would recommend having someone drive behind the car and observe whether when it is driven without calling on the turbo there are any traditional tell tale signs of blue smoke after long deceleration and then gently opening the throttle (so as not to bring the turbo up to speed) to look then for the exhaust cloud which if present would suggest valve guides or rings (differentiate that by a "wet/dry"test of the compression). If on the other hand your observer saw blue smoke whenever turbo was activated that might be a sign of the seal you are questionning.
Another system that can definitely be causing excess oil consumption is the PCV system. You might want to check all the rubber tubings and the valve itself to make sure that whole system is functioning the way it is supposed to. A failure there can cause excess oil consumption. The hoses are subjected to high heat from the exhaust system and tend to crack because they get so brittle. See if the inside of the intake air box is heavily oiled as a sign of that. Also check inside the valve cover via the oil filler cap for excess buildup of crud.
Of course, using heavier oil can reduce burning if it is the valves or rings, and you should be able to use 15W-40 or straight 30W if it is above 30F, (5W-30 only when below 30F) according to the '89 shop manual.
So I would tend to try and eliminate the routine causes before focussing on the turbo, absent some evidence that it is blowing blue smoke when it is used or you can inspect the area of the bearing that you suspect.
Additives I would question unless they are specifically approved by Chrysler for use in turbos.
I've seen the marketing of "high mileage engine" motor oil, at about double the cost of conventional oil, so it would have to double the miles per quart to break even.
That is about all I can offer you. Good luck on finding where this oil is disapperaing to. At that rate of concumption you aught to see it in the exhaust, on the ground, but hopefully not in the cooling system.
Roland