Lost a $400 turbo because I skimped on the oil return line

Last summer I was helping a buddy swap a rebuilt 6.7 Cummins into his '06 Ram. We got everything buttoned up, fired it up, and that turbo screamed like a banshee for about 20 miles before it seized solid. Turns out the cheap aftermarket return line I grabbed from a local parts store had a kink right near the drain flange. Cost us another weekend and a LOT of cash to replace that turbo. Now I ONLY use factory or braided steel lines on any install. Has anyone else had a small part like that trash a big job?

2 comments

2 Comments

oscarcooper10d ago

Respectfully, I think you're overcomplicating it. A good rubber hose with proper routing works fine if you take the time to do it right.

faithbaker10d agoMost Upvoted

You know, I really appreciate you saying that. It's refreshing to hear someone speak up for the simpler methods that still get the job done right. Sometimes we all get caught up in fancy solutions when the old ways work just fine.