what are the symptoms of a blown turbo, and what does it take to replace? Will there be motor damage too?

thanks

Many things can happen. But usual symptoms would be that you are making no boost, it leaking oil, a lot of smoke coming out of your exhaust, and the turbo would sound very bad. Look at your turbo to make sure none of the hoses or oil feed lines have came off/undone, and check for shaft play on the turbo.

 

If it is blown, you can either rebuild it, or buy a new one and swap it in. Both are very simple.

 

And there shouldn't be any motor damage, that you should also be able to hear.

Edited February 18, 201115 yr by brysawn

^ No offense, but I agree w/everything except rebuilding the turbo. Not a simple job as it can require special tools and some require balancing, so may be easier/cheaper to just buy a used one.

 

BTW, it's an IHI VF40 turbo and I've read that some VF-series are not rebuildable. The VF40 uses different connections between the intercooler and turbo so beware it may not be as easy to swap in a different model turbo from a WRX or STi.

 

What is your car doing that makes you suspect the turbo?

 

GL,

TD

unfortunatley, there is major failure rate (90% failure rate around 60k mile mark) on that era of Turbo Legacy. Something about the banjo bolt clogging and starving it of oil, then it pukes its metal guts into the intake of the engine.

 

You can read ALL about it over on http://www.legacygt.com/

 

all you gotta do is join there and joint eh blown turbo group club they have.

 

Sorry for the bad string of luck and poor quality issues of the newer era stuff.

Are you still in warranty? If so, SOA will replace the trubo at no cost, but they are stiffing customers when it comes to engine replacement due to it puking into the intake.

^ No offense, but I agree w/everything except rebuilding the turbo. Not a simple job as it can require special tools and some require balancing, so may be easier/cheaper to just buy a used one.

 

BTW, it's an IHI VF40 turbo and I've read that some VF-series are not rebuildable. The VF40 uses different connections between the intercooler and turbo so beware it may not be as easy to swap in a different model turbo from a WRX or STi.

 

What is your car doing that makes you suspect the turbo?

 

GL,

TD

 

If it is a vf40 it can be rebuilt. It it actually pretty simple indeed, no balancing required, and the special tools you need are some 12pt metrics, and a torx. Rebuild kits range from $60-100, you're going to have some trouble getting a new one for that price.

 

But usually rebuild kits are for before the turbo blows, not after. The kits are intended for a turbo that has minimal shaft play. You pretty much have to pull the turbo off and examine it to see if you need a new one, or if it can be rebuilt.

I don't have the car. I have a chance to buy it, wanted to check out what I was getting in to before I bought it. From what you guys are saying it is very common, and not that difficult to repair. I just might have to go for it!

As long as you know there is potential for bottom end damage, yeah should be able to get a decent 5-6 G price on a known bad engine/turbo.