Replacing the turbo...

"ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback" (armadaexpress)
10/28/2016 at 09:20 • Filed to: subaru, outback, xt, turbo, manual, buffalo

Just had the VF40 Turbo (OEM) replaced on my 2006 Outback XT.

I began noticing heatshield rattling and a myriad of other noises in the last month. So when I took it in to get brakes and tires I asked the shop to troubleshoot the noises. They fixed the heatshields but there was one noise they coudn’t figure out. Now they are an independant mechanic, but they’re used to dealing with trucks (I live in a rural area of Western NY), and maybe a few turbo diesels. So when I got home I listed to the car, and now that all the other noises were gone I could focus on this one.... and it was coming from the turbo.

Fortunately for me there is a great Subaru shop out here, but its about 30 minutes away. So I took it there to have them troubleshoot it. They focus on Subarus and they have a lot of experience with building performance engines for Subarus, but also drag cars. So these are the people I trust with more difficult issues.

The noise was a rattle on deceleration, coming from the turbo area. Before they took it in back, the mechanic I was talking with went through a few different scenarios, but all of them meant replacing the turbo. The car has 200k miles, but the engine was rebuilt 100k miles ago, along with a new turbo. So I was a little disappointed the turbo was already seeing issues.

As it turns out the waste gate actuator (not the solenoid) was stuck, so whenever I let off the gas, the boost couldn’t exit the waste gate like normal. Fortunately my younger brother had the same model turbo that he took out of his Legacy, when he replaced it with an STi turbo. So the shop replaced it with that one.

I guess my old turbo wasn’t building much boost at all, because now this car pulls harder than my old E60. It helps that the car is 1000 lbs lighter and only down 50 HP. So now the car is very ready for the winter weather to come. Refreshed turbo, new tires, new brakes all around. (Even had them change the coolant). It feels like a completely new car, and I love it!

DISCUSSION (14)

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback
10/28/2016 at 10:56

The turbos on these XT engines typically last about 80k mi or so before they start to wear out. They don’t always get the amount of oil they need with the common culprit being the tiny oil filter Subaru uses. Subaru actually changed their oil change policy for these engines to every 3,750mi. Like anything the better you care for the car the longer it will last. My Dad got his 2005 Legacy 2.5GT to 120,000+ before the turbo started to fail. Based on the fact your car got a rebuild at only 100k I would guess that it lived a hard life at one point.

And rattling heat shields are par for the course with Subarus. The only ones left on my old outback are the ones around the headers and they are holding on by a thread.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
10/28/2016 at 11:40

I had them give me the old turbo because everything else on it is good except for the waste gate actuator. It’s stuck open, so it wasn’t building boost much, if at all. I’ll see if I can take a picture and post it. Fortunately the previous owner did get the oil changed every 3-4k religiously. Also, I’ve always read on forums that people would remove the little oil filter screens in the banjo bolts, so I asked the Subaru Certified Mechanic and the shop owner. Apparently they were told directly by Subaru that they should remove the banjo filters because it limits the oil that can get to the turbo.

TahoeSTi > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback
10/28/2016 at 15:10

Why didn’t you get a BNR 16g turbo, direct replacement and much stronger....or better yet the BNR Super Cars 20g Turbo for it....or since you used and old one now maybe time for and upgrade later!....I just picked up an 2006 OBXT 5MT with 68k on it the turbo is on my list of things to watch.

TahoeSTi > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
10/28/2016 at 15:15

Other big issue is the oil pickup tube for the oil pump cracks on these. Also the Banjo bolts for the turbo and cam adjusts clog up and the eEj255 & ej257 hate mobile one, mobile one just eats up the main cap bearings. 3k oil changes are a must on these cars even with synthetic.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > TahoeSTi
10/28/2016 at 15:34

Because if/when I go to a better turbo, I’ll do the supporting mods and a tune right away. I want to do things the right way and with a great deal of research first.

Also, the car has some body damage from the previous owner that is my next priority, and then stiffer suspension/ sway bars.

I want to get the car in great driving shape, suspension and body wise, before I move to performance mods. I really like the way the car drives right now and I want to keep this car long term; so I’m not in a rush to modify things too quickly.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > TahoeSTi
10/28/2016 at 15:35

Also congrats on the purchase! They’re fantasticly fun cars and at 68k, that’s a sweet deal. Mine has 193k to be exact, but the rust on the car is very minimal.

TahoeSTi > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback
10/28/2016 at 15:52

Yeah I got a pretty good deal on it, It’s going to replace my wifes VW tdi .

Glad to hear it has little rust. The OB has spent 2 winters in Ohio and it’s noticeably rustier than my 06 STi , or even my 95 mustang , but those both never saw salt on the road....Plenty of snow but never any salt.....even then it’s really only in a few spots like the mufflers and some bolts....nothing on the unibody or doors.

I just ordered king springs for the rear, new struts, and group n/Sti bushings/mounts for almost everything...I also have a timing belt to do....105k or 10 years.

Also nice thing about the 16g wheel no fuel or exhaust mods needed direct bolt on, I don’t think it even requires a tune, But with a Tune and Downpipe it’s good for like 250whp maybe 270whp with Injectors and a fuel pump....That said I’m pretty sure i need an 18g wheel or maybe even the 20g wheel....I live over 7000ft boost is a must.

Dusty Ventures > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback
10/28/2016 at 19:45

I have an 08 and had to replace my turbo at 138,000. No idea if it was the original turbo or if the previous owner had already replaced it once. I upgraded the turbo to a VF52, installed bigger injectors, and went down the list of “common problems and the upgrades that solve/prevent them” on the forums. I’ve done 35,000 miles since then (many of them hard) and aside from two axles, a steering rack (it took a hit from a rock), and a flat tire I got at Team O’Neil she’s been flawless.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > Dusty Ventures
11/03/2016 at 10:17

What forum do you use? SOunds like a VF52 would be a great upgrade then. Did you upgrade downpipe/ exhaust, or IC? Those seem to be pretty common upgrades done with a turbo upgrade.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > TahoeSTi
11/03/2016 at 10:18

Let me know how you like your suspension setup. I’d like to consider upgrading that next year.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > TahoeSTi
11/03/2016 at 10:20

Yeah I stick with Castrol Full Synthetic every oil change. I’ve had great experience with it so far. It seems like Turbo Subarus do not do well with Mobil 1. I keep hearing horror stories all the time.

Dusty Ventures > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback
11/03/2016 at 14:05

Nope, same exhaust and intercooler (I did add a Nameless axleback early this year, but that had nothing to do with the turbo). The 52 is close enough to the 40 that it doesn’t need a lot of supporting mods (unless you get crazy with the tune of course, my tune was designed for a mild power boost but to primarily be reliable and not kill my fuel economy). That said, since you have an ‘06 you do want to make sure you have the catless uppipe. The cats have a tendency to come apart and go into the turbo, and that’s a bad time.

I’ve used subaruoutback.org and legacygt.com

Xyl0c41n3 > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback
01/05/2018 at 14:43

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ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > Xyl0c41n3
01/08/2018 at 21:48

I’ve accepted. Thanks for the invite.