Oil leak in turbo

[Rainman1978 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Rainman1978]

Apologies, I don't know much about turbos, except for a basic understanding of how they work. Anyway, i noticed an oil leak which you can just see in the photo which has been there for a while. This leak has been spraying small drops of oil over the top of the air filter and been leaking down to the top of the starter motor. My guess is that the leak is in the hose from the inter cooler, but i'm not really sure not knowing much about it.
The vehicle is a 2002 90 series turbo diesel auto and the 1KZTE engine has done 230,000km and not been modified to my knowledge. Its had regular service intervals of 10,000km and does a mix of Highway driving, light 4wd work visiting National Parks loaded with camping gear and general family vehicle duties. It gets treated gently and is not thrashed.
I'd really like to know if this oil leak is serious or indicates a larger problem.
If your having problems seeing the oil leak, it is pretty small, but its pooling at the head of the black bolt between the two grey electrical cables. The spray from the leak is spraying out of this point to the from of the car to the firewall in the engine compartment.
Appreciate any help.

[Rainman1978 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Rainman1978]

OK, so its not really the Turbo, more like the air inlet manifold from the Intercooler. Couldn't figure why there is oil outside and sprayed around inside the engine bay from this point. Then I realised that the Prado went in for a service at Charlestown Toyota the other day and I have a feeling that the service guys might have sprayed oil through the engine bay and spilt it all down the side over the started motor ect.
I degreased the oil off and went down the Freeway to Sydney yesterday and there was no oil leaks at all.
Also noticed that the service guys had helpfully overfilled the coolant resivior to the top, rather than to the 'F' mark. Drained out the coolant and now have half a liter of coolant spare.
I'm yet to find a Mechanic that can service my car and do a good job. Strike Charlestown Toyota off the list.

[Rainman1978 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Rainman1978]

Found this hose poking out the bottom of the engine bay. Don't quite know what it is but it has oil coming out the end of it, resting on the steering rack. Tried to follow where it went but as its threaded so neatly down the side of the engine it looks as though it should be there, but I don't think so. The other end seems to be attached to a point under the oil filter. Perhaps it's to drain out oil or an overflow, but why would there be a hose letting oil out poking oil out under the engine?

[Rusty62 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rusty62]

The small plastic pipe is the drain from the oil filter to collect any dribbles when removing the filter.
The leak looks like it's coming from the flex pipe to the intercooler. Some engines have a bit of blowby and the oil from the rocker cover enters the intake of the turbo. The compressed air then goes to the intercooler and the oil then attached to the side of the pipe and is forced out under the clamps. You could try removing the pipe, clean it and replace the spring clamps with good quality super clamps. Not the cheap screw type hose clamps.

Rusty

[Rainman1978 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Rainman1978]

Ok, thanks Rusty, that makes perfect sense. Appreciate your advice.