boost problem. possible turbo failure?

AspirinWhite · 10-01-2012, 10:07 AM

I currently have a ver 5 sti swap on my gc and haven't had much problems with the car until its first long drive (300 miles) 1 month ago.

One thing I noticed after trip was that the car wasn't building any boost. I don't have a boost gauge installed at the moment but the car definitely did not feel like a car with a turbo.

First, I know my car had some bad exhaust leak so I replaced all the gaskets, new invidia uppipe, and a catless downpipe. The car still did not boost.

Just recently the car was blowing some white smoke when I was stuck in traffic. The smoke had a distinct burning oil smell and the oil was being consumed noticebly. The coolant level is good and when I checked the hotside of the turbo, there wasn't oil and the wheel spinned freely.

Pic of hotside:

The car does not throw any CEL or have any idle issues..

I'm just really stumpted about the no boost issue. I'm quite certain that its not the headgasket issue since the engine was freshly rebuilt about 2000 miles ago. I'm planning on replacing the turbo amd hoping that will solve the issue...

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Awais · 10-02-2012, 10:34 AM

To me it looks like the impellers got some scuff marks and the bolts cracked. That may explain the smoke because the shaft is no longer balanced. Therefore it warps the bearing and you burn oil. That's just my rough guesstimate.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong

tebriel · 10-02-2012, 12:49 PM

1. get a boost gauge.
2. that bolt could've been altered during the balancing process.
3. check for turbo shaft play.
4. check for boost leaks
5. do a compression and leakdown test on the engine.

corvallisbattery · 10-02-2012, 02:09 PM

I work closely with bell turbo here in corvallis or, he is one of the best...a legend. That bolt was shaved for balancing. Veryyyyyy common

APM Tuned · 10-02-2012, 04:47 PM

pressure testing the system is a great thing, especially when you think your burning oil as it may be getting induced with blow by instead of through the turbo and a broken inlet is huge in that aspect...especially when boost is involved.

You need to press against the compressor wheel of the turbo to see if there is resistance against the cartridge, that is where you'd determine if the turbo is faulty.

The leakdown test as stated above will help determine if you have a faulty piston, head or whatever, another great example of determining engine failures.

-Mark

AspirinWhite · 10-05-2012, 01:56 PM

Replaced the turbo with another vf28 from a local source.. FIXED THE PROBLEM!

There was some shaft play on the original turbo and the turbine spun but had some resistance.

Thanks for all your input everyone!

10-01-2012, 10:07 AM	#1
AspirinWhite Scooby Newbie Member#: 90982 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Rowland Heights, CA Vehicle: 1995 Impreza Lx Ugly teal	I currently have a ver 5 sti swap on my gc and haven't had much problems with the car until its first long drive (300 miles) 1 month ago. One thing I noticed after trip was that the car wasn't building any boost. I don't have a boost gauge installed at the moment but the car definitely did not feel like a car with a turbo. First, I know my car had some bad exhaust leak so I replaced all the gaskets, new invidia uppipe, and a catless downpipe. The car still did not boost. Just recently the car was blowing some white smoke when I was stuck in traffic. The smoke had a distinct burning oil smell and the oil was being consumed noticebly. The coolant level is good and when I checked the hotside of the turbo, there wasn't oil and the wheel spinned freely. Pic of hotside: The car does not throw any CEL or have any idle issues.. I'm just really stumpted about the no boost issue. I'm quite certain that its not the headgasket issue since the engine was freshly rebuilt about 2000 miles ago. I'm planning on replacing the turbo amd hoping that will solve the issue... * Registered users of the site do not see these ads. Last edited by AspirinWhite; 10-01-2012 at 10:30 AM.

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10-02-2012, 10:34 AM	#2
Awais Scooby Specialist Member#: 295663 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: St.Albert, Alberta Vehicle: 2004 V7 STI swap WRX Silver	To me it looks like the impellers got some scuff marks and the bolts cracked. That may explain the smoke because the shaft is no longer balanced. Therefore it warps the bearing and you burn oil. That's just my rough guesstimate. Someone correct me if I'm wrong

10-02-2012, 12:49 PM	#3
tebriel Scooby Newbie Member#: 244190 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Madison, WI Vehicle: 2004 BRP WRX Wagon 2004 JBP WRX	1. get a boost gauge. 2. that bolt could've been altered during the balancing process. 3. check for turbo shaft play. 4. check for boost leaks 5. do a compression and leakdown test on the engine.

10-02-2012, 02:09 PM	#4
corvallisbattery Scooby Newbie Member#: 333030 Join Date: Sep 2012 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Corvallis, OR Vehicle: '05 WRX PSM	I work closely with bell turbo here in corvallis or, he is one of the best...a legend. That bolt was shaved for balancing. Veryyyyyy common

10-02-2012, 04:47 PM	#5
APM Tuned NASIOC Vendor Member#: 282460 Join Date: May 2011 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Elmhurst, IL Vehicle: 2005 Evo-STI R.R.-WRB	pressure testing the system is a great thing, especially when you think your burning oil as it may be getting induced with blow by instead of through the turbo and a broken inlet is huge in that aspect...especially when boost is involved. You need to press against the compressor wheel of the turbo to see if there is resistance against the cartridge, that is where you'd determine if the turbo is faulty. The leakdown test as stated above will help determine if you have a faulty piston, head or whatever, another great example of determining engine failures. -Mark

10-05-2012, 01:56 PM	#6
AspirinWhite Scooby Newbie Member#: 90982 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Rowland Heights, CA Vehicle: 1995 Impreza Lx Ugly teal	Replaced the turbo with another vf28 from a local source.. FIXED THE PROBLEM! There was some shaft play on the original turbo and the turbine spun but had some resistance. Thanks for all your input everyone!