Welcome to the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club Tuesday March 19, 2024
Home Forums Images WikiNASIOC Products Store Modifications Upgrade Garage
NASIOC
Go Back   NASIOC > NASIOC Technical > Factory 2.5L Turbo Powertrain (EJ Series Factory 2.5L Turbo)

Welcome to NASIOC - The world's largest online community for Subaru enthusiasts!
Welcome to the NASIOC.com Subaru forum.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, free of charge, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.







* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads. 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-03-2013, 12:13 PM   #1
mntnresq
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 304288
Join Date: Dec 2011
Default Help- '04FXT Eating Turbos

Hey all- Looking for thoughts on this. My 155K '04 FXT is about to be on it's 4th TD04 in less than a year. Seems to be a lubrication issue- keeps eating the center bearings.

Car is stone stock, save for a Samco inlet I swapped with the last turbo, since the stock one broke during the swap. It is not driven hard- it's my GF's ride, and she drives it pretty infrequently.

The original TD04 went at about 145K, and I swapped with a fairly low mile used one. That lasted about 7k, and then ate itself. I wrote it off as being a not perfect used turbo. Bought a quality reman TD04, and swapped it. 3K later, here we go again.

Each time, I checked all the oil lines are clear, and any chunks it threw are cleaned out. The filter screens have all been removed, and I used a quality synthetic oil, and made sure it was never low. Gave it plenty of gentle driving to break in. I've never gotten any low oil pressure indications, and the rest of the motor is still tight, no smoke, no oil consumption, etc.

Any other thoughts on what other oiling issues I might have, or why these keep eating themselves? I'm stumped.

Thanks
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
mntnresq is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Old 03-03-2013, 03:56 PM   #2
FCmaniac
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 142029
Join Date: Feb 2007
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: Lehigh Valley, PA
Vehicle:
2013 Forester
2008 350z, 1991 Miata BRG

Default

Is the banjo bolt the correct one and is it completely clean?

How do you know that the feed line is clear?
FCmaniac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2013, 06:13 PM   #3
mntnresq
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 304288
Join Date: Dec 2011
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by FCmaniac View Post
Is the banjo bolt the correct one and is it completely clean?

How do you know that the feed line is clear?
Well, have to presume it is the correct banjo. was the original one on the car, with the original turbo, which lasted 145K.

The filter screens are all out, and I both chased the feed lines with a piece of cable, and blew them out with an air compressor @ 150psi.

It does seem to be getting good oil pressure to the turbo, I cracked the banjo fitting loose at idle this morn, and it spewed oil.

Others have suggested maybe the cat in the up pipe is blowing chunks. Could be I spose, but I haven't heard anything that would suggest that.

???
mntnresq is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2013, 06:17 PM   #4
endrswrd
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 323908
Join Date: Jun 2012
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Dayton Ohio
Vehicle:
2013 BRZ ltd
ISM

Default

Yeah you need to get rid of that up pipe. it is most certainly blowing out bits of cat material and eating your turbos. This is very common and should be replaced.

Edit: Replaced with a catless up-pipe.
endrswrd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-04-2013, 12:47 AM   #5
Badmunky
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 143391
Join Date: Mar 2007
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Michigan
Vehicle:
2007 WRX TR
R.I.P Paul! :(

Default

Replace up pipe with cat less one.

Did you make sure you got oil to the turbo before running the car?

You should be pulling the ECM fuse and cranking the car over for about 15 seconds before you start the car. If your not doing this after you install the new turbo then your oil starving it on first start up. That will shorten its life a lot.

Make sure the drain tube is clear as well. If the oil has no where to go it will back up in the turbo and coach the bearings, and that will cause it to fail.

If the up pipe cat is bad you will see it in the turbine wheel. It will be chewed up from ingesting cat bits.
Replace it ether way. At this point its a time bomb.
Badmunky is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2013, 10:28 PM   #6
mntnresq
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 304288
Join Date: Dec 2011
Default

Yes, I did pre-oil both of the last two turbos. I believe the drain side is clear, but will try to verify again when/if I pull this one off.
mntnresq is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2013, 11:40 PM   #7
art@grimmspeed
Former Vendor
 
Member#: 301037
Join Date: Nov 2011
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Vehicle:
2004 Forester XT
Aspen White

Default

That's an expensive meal!
art@grimmspeed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2013, 01:11 PM   #8
donkey_cart
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 151448
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Reno
Vehicle:
2008 OBXT 5spd
Grey

Default

My friend had the same thing happen with 2 used TD04s. One of turbos only had 40k and looked brand new, but still took a dump. Both were under stock tune and had proper priming. The third turbo was brand new and has never had an issue in 10k miles.

Lesson: used turbos are used

If there is any way you can measure your oil pressure, check that too. Even though you may be getting pressure to the line, it may not be enough to keep the center bearing happy. A small clog or leak somewhere in the system (oil pickup tube) could cause low pressure, but not enough to do damage an a stock car driven easily. Chunks of old center bearing can make their way deep into the engine.

Last edited by donkey_cart; 03-08-2013 at 01:19 PM.
donkey_cart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-13-2013, 02:11 AM   #9
mntnresq
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 304288
Join Date: Dec 2011
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by chris@grimmspeed View Post
That's an expensive meal!
It's certainly getting that way!

I hate to say it, but I'm half tempted to trade this one in on a newer one with less mi. LOVE this FXT, and it is really in great shape, but between turbos, the cold wx fuel leak prob, timing belt replacement probs, and oil leaks, this thing has cost me about half what I paid for it over the last year and a half...
mntnresq is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-13-2013, 02:14 AM   #10
mntnresq
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 304288
Join Date: Dec 2011
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by donkey_cart View Post
My friend had the same thing happen with 2 used TD04s. One of turbos only had 40k and looked brand new, but still took a dump. Both were under stock tune and had proper priming. The third turbo was brand new and has never had an issue in 10k miles.

Lesson: used turbos are used

If there is any way you can measure your oil pressure, check that too. Even though you may be getting pressure to the line, it may not be enough to keep the center bearing happy. A small clog or leak somewhere in the system (oil pickup tube) could cause low pressure, but not enough to do damage an a stock car driven easily. Chunks of old center bearing can make their way deep into the engine.
Well, that was what I figured after the second one went, it was a used 60K unit. But, this is a reman from a reputable builder ($600!) that I thought would last for another 100K. Been about 4K. I spose it's possible I just got a lemon, but seems less likely.

Grrrrr.
mntnresq is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-13-2013, 09:22 AM   #11
mechatricity
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 290592
Join Date: Aug 2011
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Charlotte, NC
Vehicle:
15 Outback,
15 WRX 6MT CWP

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by mntnresq View Post
Well, that was what I figured after the second one went, it was a used 60K unit. But, this is a reman from a reputable builder ($600!) that I thought would last for another 100K. Been about 4K. I spose it's possible I just got a lemon, but seems less likely.

Grrrrr.
That sucks, i feel your pain. I'm in the "probably the cat going to pieces" boat.
mechatricity is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-20-2013, 01:32 PM   #12
mntnresq
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 304288
Join Date: Dec 2011
Default

Ok.... I got the current dead turbo off, and the up pipe looks fine. Oiling problem. Looks like I missed the banjo filter in the one at the back of the head. it is pretty full of metal chunks, on the upstream side of the screen.

So, for one, I doubt that the rebuilder will warranty the turbo, as this is pretty much my fault. That was a nice $600 in the toilet. But, more concerning to me are the metal chunks in the oiling system. I haven't dropped the oil pan (yet) but the dipstick is clear, no obvious big chunks, nor metallic-paint look to the oil.

Should I just slap the cheapest used TD04 back on this, and sell/trade it in before the motor goes boom? I can't say I'm real excited about dropping the pan (kinda afraid of what I will find) but will if need be. But, if experience from other folks says it's a time bomb no matter what I do, then I guess there is no point in bothering.

Thoughts?

Thanks
mntnresq is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-20-2013, 01:46 PM   #13
stevejones19
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 275250
Join Date: Feb 2011
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: Lacey, WA
Vehicle:
2006 WRX
White

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by mntnresq View Post

Should I just slap the cheapest used TD04 back on this, and sell/trade it in before the motor goes boom?

Thoughts?

Thanks

Well you sure sound like a stand up individual. You should fix your car.
stevejones19 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-20-2013, 02:10 PM   #14
mntnresq
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 304288
Join Date: Dec 2011
Default

Well, pulled the pan, and it is full of shiny bits. Guess that answers that ques.

Last edited by mntnresq; 04-20-2013 at 04:06 PM.
mntnresq is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2013, 08:47 PM   #15
nacoffee
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 354167
Join Date: Apr 2013
Default need a turbo

Have an 05 forester xt that the turbo went out on this afternoon. Where is the best place to buy an OEM turbo new, used, or rebuilt?
nacoffee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2013, 02:11 AM   #16
lavid2002
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 226864
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Southern NJ
Default

lol nacoffee. I'm chasing you forum to forum.

OP.. no knocking from the engine? Your main + rod bearings are probably not very happy with the oil they have been getting.
lavid2002 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2013, 08:21 PM   #17
Xx02rexxX
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 331883
Join Date: Sep 2012
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: mauston wisconsin
Vehicle:
04 forester xt 5mt
jbp

Default

Should I just slap the cheapest used TD04 back on this, and sell/trade it in before the motor goes boom?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!! Dont just f someone bc you're tired of it. i own a 04 fxt 5mt with 191k on it and its just awsome.. dont sour someone else's taste with you're mess.
Xx02rexxX is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:52 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Copyright ©1999 - 2019, North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club, Inc.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission
Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.