Project: AWD TURBO Family Hauler (04 Forester 2.5XT)

[davej]

Nothing in the subaruforester.com classified?
Been a while since I've been there but seemed like decent turbos popped up frequently.

At a minimum I'm sure they can point you to a quality rebuild place.

[JustinG]

Yea...been looking everywhere. Slim pickins

[CaptainHenreh]

Yea...been looking everywhere. Slim pickins

[DavidL]

Have you tried getting in touch with the bigger local Subaru shops? Mach V, Andrewtech, IAG?

I have heard they occasionally will have lightly-used parts in house when they upgrade customer cars. Also worth asking them about rebuilds as well..

[JustinG]

Yea, planning to call them up.

[Mike]

GET THE PROTUNE, BRAH! BRAAAAAAAPPPPPP.

[.RJ]

OMG BRAAAAAAAHHHHHHPPPPPPPS

[JustinG]

So Turbo was looked over and is ok, which means I have some other issue.

Our tech inspected your turbo yesterday and found the following:

Journal bearing 1: OK
Journal bearing 2: OK
Thrust bearing: OK
Turbine seal: OK
Compressor seal: OK
Shaft runout: <.0005
Turbine wheel: OK
Compressor wheel: minor tip damage -1
Bearing housing: OK
Seal bore: OK

Tech note:

Large amount of oil and coking under the heat shield. Some oil in compressor housing. Turbo otherwise operable without defect. No thrust bearing wear. Excess oil passing possibly due to incorrect oil feed restrictor, or engine defect.

From the tech's notes looks like you have a lot of oil passing either past the turbine seal or from the engine into the exhaust. The rotating assembly is in decent shape and no defects that would show failure. The question we would have for you is what kind of oil feed banjo are you using? Also how is the compression on the motor and is there any oil in the downpipe?

No evidence of oil starvation in fact it's the opposite. Looks like the turbo is passing oil but only slight wear that would indicate a problem with the turbo itself
...........

Oil leaking from a turbo when uninstalled and sitting is actually perfectly normal. The turbine and compressor seals are dynamic meaning they work with flingers while the shaft is rotating to seal and keep oil from passing. When stationary oil can work its way through the gaps.

The other possibility is blockage in the oil drain which would keep the bearing housing flodded and would eventually leak.

Also crankcase pressure could keep oil in the bearing housing causing your issues.

Would definitely have a compression check done. Not a leak down but individual test on each cylinder. As there may be an engine defect that is contributing to the problem. Would strongly consider that since the problem has occurred on two different turbos.

So with that, Oil drain is clear.

PCV seemed to be sticking and gunked with oil which would keep it from functioning as intended. Also had a cracked line that would keep it from functioning properly, so I ordered another one of those.

Need to do a compression check, but the fact that it had the symptoms with the TDO4, went away for 3 months while running the VF39, and is now back, makes me think it is a crankcase pressure issue forcing oil past the seals.

I am pretty close to just putting it back as close to stock as I can, taking it to Carmax, and walking away. This car has become a giant pile of bullshit, and I will likely never own another Subaru.

Options for replacements....I like the Mk6 TDI Sportwagens, but HPFP failure = $8k repair, so fuck that. Looking hard at TSX wagons, because it is an Accord wagon with shiny Acura parts, but I have not driven one yet.

[Jake]

I had a coworker at my last job who had a TSX wagon. Really, really liked it. Rode in it a few times.

[Mike]

It looks like a Transformer. If you can get over that, it's a great car.

[Goodspeed]

It looks like a Transformer. If you can get over that, it's a great car.

Just paint the chrome beak body color, instant redemption:

[WRXtranceformed]

Man that sucks. It sounds like it could get onto a slippery slope real soon and I would probably do the same. I agree with the beak color change if you go the TSX route or maybe get an MDX if you want to step up to another SUV

[Sully]

Mhmm i like that TSX. I wonder what it looks like with a differnt grill insert. Like a mesh one or something. Maybe ever cut just the bottom part out and replace with mesh.

But do they have any sort of performance?

[Jake]

Black out the beak and the chrome around the doors and rock on.

[JustinG]

Euro accord grill with an acura badge could be an option.....

[WRXtranceformed]

Nah that's lame bro

Edit: Oh you meant just the grille not the car, also pretty average though. Paint would be the easy button

[JustinG]

I like this guys car...



Minus the Red Honda badge....



Pretty much the ride height and wheel size I would go for.

DAT MUGEN YO!!!

[Sully]

I kinda like the mugen one but I bet is retardedly priced

[JustinG]

I kinda like the mugen one but I bet is retardedly priced

Yes....the import fees would be astronomical

[.RJ]

TSX wagon is ugly, heavy, underpowered, boring, and ugly.