Forge BPV all of a sudden doesn't sound like it's doing its job

QwaktastiK · 09-28-2012, 08:44 AM

Car: 2009 Subaru WRX
Mods:
Cobb Accessport (Stage 2+...low wastegate duty map)
Cobb SF Intake & Airbox Combo
Process West TMIC
Forge BPV
SPT Turbo Heatshield
Turbo XS High Flow Catted Downpipe
Turbo XS Catback Exhaust

The only recent changes have been a change in ambient temps with the end of summer beginning of fall.

Symptoms:
When my engine is cold, the BPV and/or intake do not sound as though they are operating properly. This happened overnight coincidentally with the change in ambient temps. I now have a flutter that I didn't have before. I would describe it as a hesitation, not the normal deep breath in and deep breath out. Although the car FEELS fine. I make a point to stay out of boost until the engine is up to temp, but even staying out of boost I normally hear the intake/BPV sucking/blowing air respectively. Once the engine is warm, and I go into boost, they sound normal and I'm boosting fine. I don't know if at this point is has to do with my stock spark plugs and my power level or whether my intake is in a dire need of a good cleaning or if the BPV spring is failing or what.
Any insight?

My apologies if this is something stupid and obvious, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. Just thought it was alarmingly different in sound and I've been at this same power level for over a year. Last year's change in seasons I did not have the same issue.

TIA.
. . .
matthew

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garudatwo · 09-28-2012, 08:50 AM

Matt, when's the last time you cleaned out and relubed your Forge?

QwaktastiK · 09-28-2012, 09:18 AM

Installed it in January of 2012. About 8k miles since. Haven't cleaned/relubed it. How often are you supposed to?

garudatwo · 09-28-2012, 09:52 AM

I'm no expert, but when in doubt, it can't hurt to clean and relube.

QwaktastiK · 09-28-2012, 10:20 AM

Will do over the weekend. Thanks for the quick response. I'll report back.

Source,LLC · 09-28-2012, 11:10 AM

Your intake and BPV should sound the same if the engine is cold or warm as neither of those parts have any sort of lubrication running through them that need warming. You are smart to stay out of boost until oil temp has reached safe levels. The change in temperature could cause changes in the noise slightly since the air will be denser, but in my personal experience it isn't anything that I've heard that worried me. As another poster suggested it's easy enough to take off the BPV, relube, and check visually for leaks; it might be a good thing to check the intake for any loose clamps too.

QwaktastiK · 10-04-2012, 02:24 PM

I picked up some Mobile 1 synthetic lube yesterday. Removed my Forge BPV for a good cleaning and relube. When I opened up the BPV I was surprised at how sticky the original lube had become. The piston didn't want to come out. Took more force than it should, had the lube been slick. I cleaned all the old sticky lube out and got the BPV spotless. I opened up the canister of Mobile 1 lube I just bought and that stuff is good and slick (not sticky at all). Wasn't sure how much to apply, so I gave it a good coating. I made sure the piston could move up and down freely. So far so good. Car seems much happier even when cold. Thanks for the suggestion guys. Glad it's that easy. I'll add that to my normal maintenance list.

09-28-2012, 08:44 AM	#1
QwaktastiK Scooby Specialist Member#: 219100 Join Date: Aug 2009 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Philadelphia, PA Vehicle: '09 WRX Premium 5dr SWP Bilstein'd COBB Stg2+	Forge BPV all of a sudden doesn't sound like it's doing its job Car: 2009 Subaru WRX Mods: Cobb Accessport (Stage 2+...low wastegate duty map) Cobb SF Intake & Airbox Combo Process West TMIC Forge BPV SPT Turbo Heatshield Turbo XS High Flow Catted Downpipe Turbo XS Catback Exhaust The only recent changes have been a change in ambient temps with the end of summer beginning of fall. Symptoms: When my engine is cold, the BPV and/or intake do not sound as though they are operating properly. This happened overnight coincidentally with the change in ambient temps. I now have a flutter that I didn't have before. I would describe it as a hesitation, not the normal deep breath in and deep breath out. Although the car FEELS fine. I make a point to stay out of boost until the engine is up to temp, but even staying out of boost I normally hear the intake/BPV sucking/blowing air respectively. Once the engine is warm, and I go into boost, they sound normal and I'm boosting fine. I don't know if at this point is has to do with my stock spark plugs and my power level or whether my intake is in a dire need of a good cleaning or if the BPV spring is failing or what. Any insight? My apologies if this is something stupid and obvious, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. Just thought it was alarmingly different in sound and I've been at this same power level for over a year. Last year's change in seasons I did not have the same issue. TIA. . . . matthew * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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09-28-2012, 08:50 AM	#2
garudatwo Scooby Specialist Member#: 322385 Join Date: Jun 2012 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Vehicle: 2006 Civic LX Stage a lot 140BHP	Matt, when's the last time you cleaned out and relubed your Forge?

09-28-2012, 09:18 AM	#3
QwaktastiK Scooby Specialist Member#: 219100 Join Date: Aug 2009 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Philadelphia, PA Vehicle: '09 WRX Premium 5dr SWP Bilstein'd COBB Stg2+	Installed it in January of 2012. About 8k miles since. Haven't cleaned/relubed it. How often are you supposed to?

09-28-2012, 09:52 AM	#4
garudatwo Scooby Specialist Member#: 322385 Join Date: Jun 2012 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Vehicle: 2006 Civic LX Stage a lot 140BHP	I'm no expert, but when in doubt, it can't hurt to clean and relube.

09-28-2012, 10:20 AM	#5
QwaktastiK Scooby Specialist Member#: 219100 Join Date: Aug 2009 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Philadelphia, PA Vehicle: '09 WRX Premium 5dr SWP Bilstein'd COBB Stg2+	Will do over the weekend. Thanks for the quick response. I'll report back.

09-28-2012, 11:10 AM	#6
Source,LLC Former Vendor Member#: 322524 Join Date: Jun 2012 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Chicago,IL Vehicle: 3.5 WRX STI WRB	Your intake and BPV should sound the same if the engine is cold or warm as neither of those parts have any sort of lubrication running through them that need warming. You are smart to stay out of boost until oil temp has reached safe levels. The change in temperature could cause changes in the noise slightly since the air will be denser, but in my personal experience it isn't anything that I've heard that worried me. As another poster suggested it's easy enough to take off the BPV, relube, and check visually for leaks; it might be a good thing to check the intake for any loose clamps too.

10-04-2012, 02:24 PM	#7
QwaktastiK Scooby Specialist Member#: 219100 Join Date: Aug 2009 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Philadelphia, PA Vehicle: '09 WRX Premium 5dr SWP Bilstein'd COBB Stg2+	I picked up some Mobile 1 synthetic lube yesterday. Removed my Forge BPV for a good cleaning and relube. When I opened up the BPV I was surprised at how sticky the original lube had become. The piston didn't want to come out. Took more force than it should, had the lube been slick. I cleaned all the old sticky lube out and got the BPV spotless. I opened up the canister of Mobile 1 lube I just bought and that stuff is good and slick (not sticky at all). Wasn't sure how much to apply, so I gave it a good coating. I made sure the piston could move up and down freely. So far so good. Car seems much happier even when cold. Thanks for the suggestion guys. Glad it's that easy. I'll add that to my normal maintenance list.