Nissan Silvia: CA18DET turbo oil feed line — the S13 turbo's one real weakness
CA18DET turbo oil feed line — the S13 turbo's one real weakness is a common engine fault on the Nissan Silvia on the 1988–1993 cars, and we rate it critical. Putting it right costs $1,200 to $3,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 10 documented faults on the Nissan Silvia.
- Vehicle
- Nissan Silvia
- Engine
- CA18-DET
- Years
- 1988–1993
- Fuel
- petrol
- System
- Engine
What you are looking at
No photograph available
What goes wrong
The CA18DET is a tough engine when it is left standard and serviced, and its known weak point is the factory turbo oil feed line rather than anything in the block. The line runs close to heat, and it silts up or restricts with age and with oil that has been left in too long. Starve the turbo bearing of oil and the turbo goes, usually announcing itself with blue smoke on start-up or under load and a whine that was not there before. On a car this age the line is a cheap part; the turbo it protects is not, and neither is the engine if debris travels. Any S13 with a service history that skips oil changes should be assumed to have a tired feed line.
What you would notice
- Blue-grey smoke on start-up or under boost
- A whistle or siren from the turbo that is new or getting louder
- Oil level dropping with no external leak
- Dark, thick or clearly overdue oil on the dipstick
How to check it
Where to look. Turbocharger on the exhaust side of the engine, and the oil feed line running to it
Ask what oil is used and how often, and ask for invoices rather than a stamped book — this fault is almost entirely about oil discipline.
Start it from cold and watch the exhaust for the first thirty seconds, then have someone follow you and watch for blue smoke on a hard pull.
Listen through an open window for a whistle or siren that rises with boost and does not sound like the car did when you arrived.
Pull the dipstick and look at the oil's colour before the engine is started.
Ask directly whether the turbo or the oil feed line has ever been replaced.
If a workshop inspection is possible: ask for turbo shaft play to be checked and for the oil feed line to be inspected for restriction.
What it costs to put right
$1,200 to $3,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.
Ask the seller
- “Has the turbo or its oil feed line ever been replaced?”
- “What oil and interval has it been on, and do you have invoices?”
- “Does it smoke on start-up?”
Now check the Nissan Silvia you are actually looking at
Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.
Where this comes from
- EngineCode.uk — Nissan CA18DET engine review and common issues
- JDMBUYSELL — Nissan Silvia S13 buyer's guide
Nissan Silvia buyer questions
Is ca18det turbo oil feed line — the s13 turbo's one real weakness serious on a Nissan Silvia?
We rate it critical and common on the Nissan Silvia. The CA18DET is a tough engine when it is left standard and serviced, and its known weak point is the factory turbo oil feed line rather than anything in the block. The line runs close to heat, and it silts up or restricts with age and with oil that has been left in too long. Starve the turbo bearing of oil and the turbo goes, usually announcing itself with blue smoke on start-up or under load and a whine that was not there before. On a car this age the line is a cheap part; the turbo it protects is not, and neither is the engine if debris travels. Any S13 with a service history that skips oil changes should be assumed to have a tired feed line.
How much does it cost to fix on a Nissan Silvia?
$1,200 to $3,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.
Which Nissan Silvia years are affected?
Our research records this fault on the 1988–1993 Nissan Silvia. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.
How do I check for it before I buy?
Ask what oil is used and how often, and ask for invoices rather than a stamped book — this fault is almost entirely about oil discipline. Start it from cold and watch the exhaust for the first thirty seconds, then have someone follow you and watch for blue smoke on a hard pull. Listen through an open window for a whistle or siren that rises with boost and does not sound like the car did when you arrived. Pull the dipstick and look at the oil's colour before the engine is started. Ask directly whether the turbo or the oil feed line has ever been replaced. If a workshop inspection is possible: ask for turbo shaft play to be checked and for the oil feed line to be inspected for restriction. Look here: Turbocharger on the exhaust side of the engine, and the oil feed line running to it