Zetec turbo - oil drain
 

Im using a t25 from a focus rs.

For the oil feed i have a t piece where the oil pressure switch goes.

For the return, can i just weld an inlet on to the top of the sump as long as its above oil level?

Is it better to weld it or thread it? And any idea what size i need to match the return outlet from the turbo? (I havnt got the union yet)

Is there not another feed on the rear of the engine, I thought there was. I've put in a -10 oil return and welded it into the windage tray.

Weld it

I always put mine below oil level

why ? on a wet sump pan ?
oil backs up in the pipe filling the pipe which then reaches the bearings in the turbo and causes the turbo to smoke .
this happened on the dyno with mine as the oil return was facing slightly uphill and caused the engine to smoke like fook

i fitted mine on the alloy part of a two piece sump, above windage tray.

Above oil level is best
And if the return out of the turbo is 19mm
Then I would put a -12 return on the sump
as the -12 hose
Slips over the 19mm return just right

Never had a problem on any of mine this way certainly no smoke . The standard cvh turbo is below oil level as standard that's what I copied when I first built my zetec in 2007

Unlikely, remember the oil is pumped through the turbo at pressure and so long as your crank case breather system is working there will be no back pressure acting against that flow in the sump..... Like filling a bucket with water using a hose pipe, if you submerge the hose it doesn't stop filling.

I drilled the front of my block (1.8 silver top) to accept the std FRST pressed in fitting. i seem to recall it fitted into part of the casting similar to the cvh position. it was that long ago i cannot 100% remember.

the breather in crankcase system is to get rid of blow by gases in the crankcase before it pressures up and mixes with oil causing sludge mixture., not to control oil pressure thats done by the pump and when that get to high the oil pressure release valve sorts that issue out .
and your right about about the bucket it just a pity we are on about a engine, and apart from the fact a open top bucket doesnt have 65 to 70 psi of pressure in it like a oil system lol.
all iam saying is thats what happened to me and it was solved in sec by harvey , it just makes sense to have it dripping in to the oil to me .

cheers paul

Your a little off the mark there mate but I haven't got time to explain right now.
Basically I was just pointing out that for the oil to stop flowing from the turbo into the sump there would have to be some sort of back pressure equal to or greater than that created by the oil pump to stop it... Crank case pressure was just an example as that's the only pressure present.

Gary, i thought the escort and fiesta drain was above the sump to block joint, which is surely above oil level.

return is in the block as stated above on erst/frst's.
i very much doubt there is much resistance with the oil return going below the oil level, but i'd be inclined to make sure there is no resistance if possible for oil to leave the turbo.

i dont think so mate as ive read up for months about wet sump ystems and dry sump systems to find out which is best for my engine .
this might help you as its off garretts webpage
The intake and exhaust plumbing often receives the focus leaving the oil and water plumbing neglected.

Garrett ball bearing turbochargers require less oil than journal bearing turbos. Therefore an oil inlet restrictor is recommended if you have oil pressure over about 60 psig. The oil outlet should be plumbed to the oil pan above the oil level (for wet sump systems). Since the oil drain is gravity fed, it is important that the oil outlet points downward, and that the drain tube does not become horizontal or go "uphill" at any point.

Following a hot shutdown of a turbocharger, heat soak begins. This means that the heat in the head, exhaust manifold, and turbine housing finds it way to the turbo's center housing, raising its temperature. These extreme temperatures in the center housing can result in oil coking.

To minimize the effects of heat soak-back, water-cooled center housings were introduced. These use coolant from the engine to act as a heat sink after engine shutdown, preventing the oil from coking. The water lines utilize a thermal siphon effect to reduce the peak heat soak-back temperature after engine shut down. The layout of the pipes should minimize peaks and troughs with the (cool) water inlet on the low side. To help this along, it is advantageous to tilt the turbocharger about 25° about the axis of shaft rotation.

Many Garrett turbos are water-cooled for enhanced durability.

this clearly states where the return should be placed and the exact same problem i had on the dyno with my engine.

hope this helps

cheers paul

It is better to be above than below.
Mountune have had issues in the past when there return was below
So they moved them above and the issue was gone .

There are a few more factors to take into account but
In a few words it is better to above rather than below

Many years ago I had a frst and the return pipe was horizontal
Just before the pipe reached the block it kicked up a touch this did cause the
Oil to back up and the turbo to smoke its nuts off
( I was told this was common )
So I re positioned the pipe and the result was no smoke
Point being even tho the turbo was a little higher than the return it did not take much for the oil to back up the pipe , but that said
If I remember right the return was far smaller than most these days

Ah I see the confusion, it's specifically talking about the BB range, these have very little oil flow and a plastic bearing cage... letting these heat soak or restricting the oil return could be disastrous.

You wouldn't however get any problems using an old T series Garrett below oil level much like they are happy to run without water cooling.

The OP says he's using a T25 but from a Focus RS, I think he most likely means a GT25 as that's what was fitted to the FRS, in which case I agree it must be water cooled and the return should be above oil level.

Is there any reason not to return it into a blanking plate where standard breather goes on front of engine?