schwinn Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 It's been a long while since I've been on the site. My Subaru is doing well (knock on wood) but I'm starting to worry about turbo longevity, in general. So, I figured I'd post my experience here... I imagine most won't post if they are having no problems, yet here I am. Story Since the turbo hasn't failed, I can only provide my "Story" as requested in the first post: I have been running a Stage 2 eTune from TDC (I think?) and a Crucial UP/DP setup and an aftermarket TMIC (I forget the brand at the moment)... all on the stock turbo (2006 LGT). The car has been this way since early 2006. I'm at 101k miles now, and haven't had an issue to-date. I still have my banjo filter and such as well... never got around to taking it out, and stuck to using good oil and watching the results carefully. I'm not gentle with my car, and go WOT daily... but I don't beat on it and abuse it either. I do UOAs (used oil analysis) regularly, and have been using Rotella T6 synthetic for the most part, with about 6-9k intervals. My previous UOA showed a trace of coolant in the oil, which is what has me worried now... but it may have been a sampling error on my part. I have a second sample out now, so we'll see how that goes. Anyway, after some reading, I am guessing I won't see any real way to find the "longevity" of the turbo... because those without problems won't likely be here... hell I'm a pretty good example of that, as I haven't been on the site in well over a year. So, I'm guessing I just need to consider a proactive replacement... unless someone disagrees? I assume turbo failures are catastrophic and can damage the motor as well... are there normally any warning signs, or is it just too fast to catch? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RabidWombat Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 I assume turbo failures are catastrophic and can damage the motor as well... are there normally any warning signs, or is it just too fast to catch? It depends on why the turbo failed. Oil starvation is a catastrophic failure. Bearing failures due to wear are rarely catastrophic. The common warning sign is a high pitched whine. Its usually easiest to hear by going into boost, then letting off suddenly so the engine noise drops. As the turbo spools down you'll hear the frequency drop. Eventually, you'll get a catastrophic failure when the turbo fins hit the sidewall too much or the bearing seizes. As simple preventative maintenance, you can pull/replace the banjo bolts, and pull the downpipe to visually inspect the turbo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywoodjess Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 As I predicted, oil starvation. $1100 later, I have a rebuilt vf40, clean banjo bolt screen and new timing belt. I've never been so happy to get in my car! It's definitely love... Up to 22 days without my girl... found a rebuilt turbo through pureturbos.com - had to stay stock as I'm short on cash. Thinking oil starvation is the cause. Unfortunately, I bought the car when she was just outside of warranty... otherwise, I would have purchased extended warranty if it was an option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbohip Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 48k miles and no problems so far, though I did check the banjo filter 2k miles ago and it was completely clean. I put it back in, but now I wonder if I should have left it out? This seems like one of those damned if I do damned if I don't scenarios. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schwinn Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 It depends on why the turbo failed. Oil starvation is a catastrophic failure. Bearing failures due to wear are rarely catastrophic. The common warning sign is a high pitched whine. Its usually easiest to hear by going into boost, then letting off suddenly so the engine noise drops. As the turbo spools down you'll hear the frequency drop. Eventually, you'll get a catastrophic failure when the turbo fins hit the sidewall too much or the bearing seizes. As simple preventative maintenance, you can pull/replace the banjo bolts, and pull the downpipe to visually inspect the turbo. Perfect - thanks for the info. Maybe I can live on the turbo a while longer. The downpipe actually has a tiny leak between the lower flange and the rest of the exhaust, and I never see any oil there (only clear water on cold days at startup, as expected). I will keep an eye on the oil consumption, overall, but at most I'm losing about 1 quart every 7k miles (per my last change). I also got my UOA back, and it looks good (no more trace of coolant)... so maybe I was just being a bit paranoid. Still, it's good to know that I can hope for a "slow failure" with oil burning as evidence! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nkinner Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 Name: Neil Make: 2005 Legacy GT Mileage: 101,XXX Problem And Likely Cause: Blown turbo. Cause unknown but the oil level in the motor was fine, probably clogged filter? Modifications: None. Submitted For Warranty Work (Yes/No): No Reason Given For Denial (if applicable): Your Story: I bought this car in October and have driven it very sparingly, putting less than 800 miles on it. I figured I was in no rush to have it gone through by the local Subaru shop as it's not my daily driver and was running great. The turbo went about two weeks ago after normal driving around town. Being new to Subarus and turbos, I didn't originally know what had happened, only that there was noise coming from where the turbo sits. I had it towed to a shop and they refused to work on the car at all with a blown turbo. I then took it to a dealer who found metal fragments in the oil pan and quoted an astronomical figure to put in a new motor. I've got the car at my house currently and am trying to figure out what to do with it. Reading through this thread and others has been a little overwhelming. I'd rather not put a bunch of money into the car and I don't have a great place to work on it myself. What sort of money do these go for with these issues? Mine is a 5-speed wagon with the black leather interior in good condition outside of the engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby2.5 Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 5 Speed Wagons are RARE! I would fix it. If not, dont sell it cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniStiGuy Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 just bought a 05 SWP limited 5-speed wagon this past weekend myself. OEM HID's Rx330 Retro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nkinner Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 I do really like the car and was looking for a 5-speed wagon for a while, so I don't particularly like the idea of letting it go for nothing. That said, buying a new block and turbo and putting it all together is a bit daunting. I've only done very basic work on cars. I've tried looking through the classifieds here for similarly optioned cars and what they've sold for in this condition but haven't had any luck. A ballpark figure would be nice to have so I can make a decision on whether to fix or sell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby2.5 Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 If you sell it stick it on the forum. It won't last long A brand new short block from Subaru, EJ257 is 1800 Get the heads rebuilt and a new turbo. It will be total in the neighborhood of about 5 grand but in the end you will have one nice car that could easily be sold and get all your money back. Not sure what you paid for it but again you have a really rare sought after car in the subaru community. If you fix it run synthetic oil like Rotella T6 after break in and change it every 3K, remove the banjo filters and you will have a car that will last a long time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nkinner Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 Thanks for the advice, I'm in no hurry to do anything so I'll keep my options open for now. I did get it for a good price so fixing it may make the most sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniStiGuy Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 or if after you put the engine in it just keep it and drive it another 150k miles keeping up with the maintenance. Like I said I just bought a wagon but I also have an 05 LGT sedan that has 140k miles on it as well. I love these cars. OEM HID's Rx330 Retro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krzyss Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 All 05 GT wagons are 5-speed, both manual and auto. Which one did you get? Krzys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBT Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 5MT - and a beautiful one at that. - Pro amore Dei et patriam et populum - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby2.5 Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 All 05 GT wagons are 5-speed, both manual and auto. Which one did you get? Krzys Good grief Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dvour Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 i recently had both p0011 and p0021 codes pop up, every thread i read it seems like only one or the other. the car still runs good even though im scared to drive it. every time i call suba pros they tell me to replace the sensors before the valves but the chance of both of them popping up? what could it be.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniStiGuy Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 All 05 GT wagons are 5-speed, both manual and auto. Which one did you get? Krzys Well I have both to be exact. I have an 05 Limited Sedan in 5EAT and a 05 Limited Wagon that's 5MT. OEM HID's Rx330 Retro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krzyss Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Ltd manual wagon is what I should have bought. What colour and interior? Krzys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniStiGuy Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 SWP with tan interior, homelink mirror, under seat sub, cargo trays, new floor mats etc... It's got 0 scratches and looks new inside and out. I was actually truly amazed when I saw it in person. OEM HID's Rx330 Retro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyT Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Hey MiniStiGuy, Congrats on your new puchase. Isn't it great when someone else takes great care of their cars so we can buy them later at a discount? Wait a minute. I'm one of theose guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krzyss Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 Tan interior, just like my sedan. Krzys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegacyWGTW05 Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 My questions are how many 2005's have blown stock turbos? And 2006's and so on. Does anybody have an over 100k factory stock turbo that hasn't been replaced? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniStiGuy Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 my 05 has 140k on it when it finally had its turbo go. OEM HID's Rx330 Retro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schwinn Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 Knock on wood, my 2006 LGT has 115k on the stock turbo. Stage 2 since about 50k, IIRC. Ministiguy, how did yours actually fail? Presumably it wasn't catastrophic? What were the symptoms? Just trying to prepare myself! Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAMMER DOWN Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 Does anybody have an over 100k factory stock turbo that hasn't been replaced? See sig. below:cool: Mileage:331487 Retired/Sold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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