Oil Residue Around Turbo Pipes?

[knackeredoldman]

Hi,

I have just had an RAC check on an E70 X5 sd and there is evidence of oil residue around turbo pipes.

It is an 08 plate with 56K on the clock.

According to the report..

"The underside of this vehicle is fitted with protective guards, which has restricted the inspection of the lower parts of the engine and transmission, and further defects may exist that it was not possible to visually identify.

Oil residue, as documented in this report, may indicate a potential major problem. Further investigation is strongly recommended."

Has anyone seen anything similar or could you shed any light on potential causes? I'd like to go ahead with the purchase but don't want to take on undue risk... any tips?

It is a private sale and the vendor is local to me and seems like a good guy so I don't think he is trying to hide anything.

I am planning on taking out the insured warranty when I buy it.

Thanks.

[jeepstertim]

Turbos do wear and in the past I have found oil at the lowest point of the turbo/ intercooler pipes.  what's the mileage and will he let you pop of pipes and have a look?  Normally only held on by jubilee clips.

There is no reason why they shouldn't run on for a good while yet. 

[X5Sport]

Worth checking given the significant cost of a new turbo.  There shouldn't be any oil residue, and with a Diesel engine you can get runaway (engine burns oil not fuel) which is very hard to shutdown unless you can block the air intakes or use a manual gearbox to 'stall' it.

Underbody checks are hard in these cars because if the covers protecting almost the entire underside.