I traveled 2 hrs about 2 weeks ago to pick this 2004 Forester XT up from a Ford dealership.
I drove it home and noticed a little bit of smoke (white, oil smell). I threw on my full TurboXS turboback exhaust and at that point realized something was wrong as the smoke was just pouring out. The car ran fine though.
I swapped turbos (4 times), but this was not the problem.
I came to the conclusion that it was either a bad head gasket or a bad piston and decided to do a small engine build.
Lessons I have learned... Always get a turbo car compression checked.
Background:
I have owned 5 turbo Subaru in the past 6 years and 1 non turbo.
2002 WRX- Stage 2
2004 STI- Stage xxx- 375 awhp
2006 WRX- Stage 2
2002 WRX- Stage 2
1998 2.5RS
2004 Forester XT
So back to the Forester build.
These are the parts I have bought so far:
New EJ257 longblock
Gates timing/ water pump kit
ARP head stud kit
Full OEM gasket kit
Killer B oil pickup
STI TMIC
V9 VF37 full twin scroll setup
TurboXS turboback exhaust
BC valves, springs, retainers
BC stage 3 heads
AP fuel rail/line kit
18x8 Rota Tarmac
2007 WRX shocks/springs
I'm sure there is more.
I am taking the heads tomorrow so they can start on the cleaning/machine work.
The Forester
Empty
Engine pulled
The breakdown starts
Continued
Heads off