What difference is there, and what would change if you put a HX35 on the automatic? Is oil on the front (air intake side) an issue or is that a signal of impending doom?

should not have any oil in the intake side unless you have an oiled air filter. Over oiling will make a mess on the intake. If you don't have an oiled air filter then yes your turbo is on its way out.

Oh great, I don't run a oiled filter, and the oil is coming from the turbine wheel edge and the trail of oil runs down towards the front of the truck and towards the air filter box. So I'm guessing there is a seal of some sort gone, worn or just leaking against the flow of air. It's not a lot of oil, just one drip running out. Nothing in the end of the hose even, just from the innermost lip edge and running down.:argh: What next!

Yap seal is gone