Blown Turbo? and what to do first

Please help! What is my first step in figuring out how much damage there is and whether it goes beyond the turbo. Tow it to the dealer? Find someone to drop the oil pan and check for bits of metal? I've read lots of stuff on the forum, but I'm still not sure what I should do first.

I own a 2006 LGT Wagon with 54,000 miles on it, and let me say up front that I have not changed the oil as frequently as I should have. That's partly my ignorance about turbos and partly having heard rumors that oil doesn't need to be changed as frequently as oil and filter manufacturers recommend.

Last night I was driving on the freeway, and heard some very unusual but intermittent noises coming from the car. They didn't sound to me like engine noises, so I drove on a few miles before pulling off the freeway to look under the hood. Of course I had no idea what I was looking for, and I also had a car full of people now in a pretty bad part of town. Although it may not have been best for the well being of the car, the noises settled down and I chose to continue on the freeway home. I noticed a obvious loss of power and guessed that the turbo had gone, but the engine ran fine otherwise and the noises stopped. Now after reading as much as I had time to on this forum, I need to know what to do first. Thanks in advance!

Start reading here;

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthrea...ki-173358.html

Then here;

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthrea...st-178684.html

Mike

Thanks Mike,

I did start reading those threads. I think one had 88 pages though and after reading through maybe 15 or 20, I gave up and thought I'd just ask.

My question actually arose from some of the comments. One said that the dealer suggested replacing the turbo and then driving the car to see if there are engine problems. Another said to have someone drop the oil pan to check for metal which would suggest that the engine might have been damaged. Many seem to be posted by people that know a ton more about cars than I do.

I just need to know the best first step.

Where do you live? Find a local Subie shop and have them look at it, I'm sure someone here will have a shop to suggest!

Stop driving it.
Pull DP & TIH, check turbo for shaft play & blade damage.
If there blade damage. Drain oil & look for metal flakes in the oil.
Metal flakes in oil, drop oil pan & look for small metal pieces.

When installing new turbo. If you found metal flake in oil & pan.
Replace banjo filter bolts. oil cooler & oil pan.
Prime new turbo before starting oil.
Change oi; & filter after 1st warm up.

If small metal pieces are in oil pan. You will need a new short block, if not now, but shortly down the road. Will depend on how much damage to the rod & main bearing.

Mike

Just Had this happen to me good luck with it i ended up needing a new motor they found major bearing components in the oil analysis.

Originally Posted by tilldain

Just Had this happen to me good luck with it i ended up needing a new motor they found major bearing components in the oil analysis.

Did you do the uoa or did the dealer? I'd be interested in seeing it as a typical oil analysis (aka Blackstone) is limited to wear metals of 5 microns or less. I've seen uoa's on blown/seized engines that looked good.

-Dennis

Originally Posted by bluesubie

Did you do the uoa or did the dealer? I'd be interested in seeing it as a typical oil analysis (aka Blackstone) is limited to wear metals of 5 microns or less. I've seen uoa's on blown/seized engines that looked good.

-Dennis

My shop did it, but I have not seen it ill see if I can get it.

Sent from my Galaxy S3

OP where are you located? I know of a shop, owned by my brother and his partner in the Chicago area if you're from here. Currently they have my car and are replacing the short block and turbo, along with some other mods. They would be able to get you back up and running properly.

I have the car into a Subie specialist. The turbo is finished and they are analyzing the oil for metal parts. What is the probability of a seized engine down the road if the oil looks clean? What is the threshold above which I should have the engine rebuilt now?

That shop should be able to answer those questions.

If it's no or very little metal and you replace the oil cooler and clean everything well, you may be ok.

You'll need to do a few quick oil changes and then watch your oil usage and always top off the oil level.