2005 legacy engine failure

[hodosh]

Hi, I am new to this site. Please be patient as I am not a mechanic. I am hoping that someone will be able to guide me to correct conclusion.

 

My son purchased a 2005 legacy from private party on the west coast. The person who sold it to him I think put a turbo charger on the car. (not absolutely sure) Anyway he drove across country, no problems. After a few months the engine died. He ended up taking it to a specialty shop in the midwest, was given a quote to rebuild engine. Well that price has more than doubled. The engine is fixed but I am wondering if he can go without the turbo.

 

Any ideas/help would be appreciated.

 

(Edited to remove identifying, specific details)

Edited April 15, 2020 by hodosh

[awfulwaffle]

Was this a naturally aspirated Legacy that was turbocharged, or is it a Legacy GT which came turbocharged from the factory?

[hodosh]

My son says it was from factory

[awfulwaffle]

Then no, you can't easily just pull the turbo and run naturally aspirated. I mean, it's physically possible but the turbo motors are lower compression than the naturally aspirated ones, and the car will probably be an absolute dog. The computer would not like the missing turbo either, complicating things further. We can get into details on why exactly it wouldn't work easy if you'd like, but suffice it to say you wouldn't save any money and would gain a bunch of headaches if you tried to do it.

[boxkita]

if you're tired of the car's problems, there's interested buyers

[hodosh]

Then no, you can't easily just pull the turbo and run naturally aspirated. I mean, it's physically possible but the turbo motors are lower compression than the naturally aspirated ones, and the car will probably be an absolute dog. The computer would not like the missing turbo either, complicating things further. We can get into details on why exactly it wouldn't work easy if you'd like, but suffice it to say you wouldn't save any money and would gain a bunch of headaches if you tried to do it.

No, really don't need to get in depth, especially don't want the headaches. Thanks for your reply. Sent you PM

[hodosh]

if you're tired of the car's problems, there's interested buyers

That is good to know, it might just come to that, will keep you in mind. Thanks for your feedback

[Max Capacity]

If it was done right, the car will run for many years with proper maintenance. The key is proper maintenance. My new OEM short block has over 136,000 trouble free miles since I put it in, May 2012. Oh, that price is not bad as long as it was done right.

 

I keep up with all the maintenance and use great oil.

 

You'll want to have him log in here and learn some things.

[NORULZleggy]

Yeah there must have been some big issues more than just the turbo. 6k to fix the car buy a special shop is not bad. I was quoted 2500 for min that goes in next monday, but I have the short block and more parts then a performance shop. I would keep the car and drive it for sure if it is fixed and running good

[08SpecB_DE]

If the motor blew, I'd replace the turbo as well. The last thing you want to do is fix the motor, leave the turbo on and end up having to do it all over again.