subaru legacy diesel turbo problem

domog

I have had a 08 diesel legacy estate for the last 2 years which I am very happy with. I have been getting sudden jolting under hard acceleration between 2500 and 3500 revs. After 6 months of troubleshooting the turbo has been blamed. Long shot recommendation from subaru is to try cleaning turbo vanes but most likely fix is turbo reconditioning. Not a lot about this issue on de web. Anyone else experienced this problem? Is this gona be a recurring problem after cleaning/reconditioning or is there something than can be done to prevent this happening again?

Bigus

Doesn't sound like turbo problem to me, can you elaborate on the symptoms, is it like turning off and on the ignition ? Or surging.

If you think it's the turbo could the dealer " lend "you a good one to swap out.

domog

Bigus wrote: »

Doesn't sound like turbo problem to me, can you elaborate on the symptoms, is it like turning off and on the ignition ? Or surging.

If you think it's the turbo could the dealer " lend "you a good one to swap out.

The symtoms are violent jerky acceleration between 2500 and 3500 rev. The car jolts forward then slows violently, repeatedly, until I ease off the gas around revs where turbo kicks in. Have had 2 independent diagnostics reports stating that it is overboosting which chokes the engine. If I nurse it up to 3500 it can be floored again after that. Subaru and independent garage in agreement turbo is the problem. My worry now is will this happen again in another couple of years. Car has been doing mostly short trips for last 12 months which I now realise is a big problem. Have changed driving habits since finding this out.

dieselbug

Anyone ever used this, I read good reports of it

http://www.innotecturboclean.co.uk/

http://www.innotecworld.com/products/sets-systems.php?productid=6

domog

dieselbug wrote: »

Anyone ever used this, I read good reports of it

http://www.innotecturboclean.co.uk/

http://www.innotecworld.com/products/sets-systems.php?productid=6

Haven't heard of it. One mechanic recommended a turbo cleaner called 10k plus. He reckons it works for about 1 in 10 cases but cheap solution if it works. Gona try it next week.

frank gooding

as a turbo can be an expensive fix I would recommend a visit to the lads in MKW motors baldonnel industrial estate. for diagnosis.

They are excellent at diagnosing rather than the more common practice of throwing parts at problems till it is fixed.

I know for a fact they fixed an X3 that BMW had put down to failed turbo with a clean up of some parts and replacement of a valve that somehow they were aware of but not the main dealer.

Good luck.

dieselbug

This is an interesting one, very easy to apply as its sprayed through the intake and good opinions on it too.


http://www.spdiagnostics.com/index.php/products/workshop/revive-turbo-cleaner

Lex Luthor

what is the mileage on your car at the moment?

Mine is at 75,000km and not seen or experienced anything like this yet so I am of keen interest to this issue

domog

Lex Luthor wrote: »

what is the mileage on your car at the moment?

Mine is at 75,000km and not seen or experienced anything like this yet so I am of keen interest to this issue

It is at 58k miles (uk import). I moved to sligo 12 months ago and since then the vast majority of the journeys are 5 to 10mins so I reckon the cause is that the car has not even warmed up by the end of most journeys. I've started taking better care that the car gets a good run out at least once a week since this happened. The main subaru dealer in Donegal told me they have replaced 2 diesel turbos since this car came out in 08. Once under warranty and once by reconditioning the turbo. I love this car and would really like to hang on to it for a few more years.

domog

dieselbug wrote: »

This is an interesting one, very easy to apply as its sprayed through the intake and good opinions on it too.


http://www.spdiagnostics.com/index.php/products/workshop/revive-turbo-cleaner

Cheers

drunkmonkey

Are you sure there's not a leaky pipe somewhere it would cause the same kind of symptoms.

domog

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Are you sure there's not a leaky pipe somewhere it would cause the same kind of symptoms.

My own mechanic put about 8 hours troubleshooting into it, which he didn't charge for btw. Main subaru dealer did drive and diagnostics check which they sent to subaru ireland for confirmation. All came to same conclusion independantly. It is giving overboost between 2500 and 3500 rev. Exact cause is not conclusive but most likely turbo. Next step for me is to get a turbo specialist to split it and clean the vanes. Got a recomendation for a guy called Tom turbo. Lot of local subaru owners really happy with donegal subaru service guys. My own mechanic knows his stuff too. I reckon a leaky pipe would have been spotred by now.

peasant

I don't know how modern, ECU controlled turbo engines work ...but my old mechanical yoke has an overboost valve on the turbo (like a safety valve on a pressure cooker:D) ...a relativley simple, cheap and easy to replace item.

But I suppose all your experts have checked that and ruled it out already

domog

peasant wrote: »

I don't know how modern, ECU controlled turbo engines work ...but my old mechanical yoke has an overboost valve on the turbo (like a safety valve on a pressure cooker:D) ...a relativley simple, cheap and easy to replace item.

But I suppose all your experts have checked that and ruled it out already

Not aware that there is one. One mechanic did suggest, half seriously, drilling a hole in the intercooler....

high horse

domog wrote: »

Not aware that there is one. One mechanic did suggest, half seriously, drilling a hole in the intercooler....

If you're in Sligo town, I'd bring the car to IMC just off Mail Coach Rd. They're very good at diagnosing problems and after some bad experiences of other garages locally, they're the only ones I'd bring my car to

http://www.goldenpages.ie/car-port-electrics-ltd-sligo/1/

domog

high horse wrote: »

If you're in Sligo town, I'd bring the car to IMC just off Mail Coach Rd. They're very good at diagnosing problems and after some bad experiences of other garages locally, they're the only ones I'd bring my car to

http://www.goldenpages.ie/car-port-electrics-ltd-sligo/1/

Worth a try. Cheers.

dieselbug

"One mechanic did suggest, half seriously, drilling a hole in the intercooler...."

Thats some mechanic!!!

A leaking air pipe will give underboost rather than overboost.

Boost is controlled by adjusting the angle of the turbo veins in response to boost demand. The turbo will have an actuator attached to do this. It may be motorised or vacuum driven. If the turbo is dirty, sticky it will effect how the actuator performs, responds. It should move smoothly and through its full range.

deandean

OP I wonder was the car ever re-mapped? A dodgy map could cause overboost.

However I dunno how you'd ascertain that is has been re-mapped.

Hope you get it sorted. Nice car.

Anan1

frank gooding wrote: »

as a turbo can be an expensive fix I would recommend a visit to the lads in MKW motors baldonnel industrial estate. for diagnosis.

They are excellent at diagnosing rather than the more common practice of throwing parts at problems till it is fixed.

I know for a fact they fixed an X3 that BMW had put down to failed turbo with a clean up of some parts and replacement of a valve that somehow they were aware of but not the main dealer.

Good luck.

Meh. They can be good at diagnosis but their work is often extremely slow, and sloppy to boot. Bring a packed lunch - you'll be spending a lot of time in that waiting room above the workshop.

domog

deandean wrote: »

OP I wonder was the car ever re-mapped? A dodgy map could cause overboost.

However I dunno how you'd ascertain that is has been re-mapped.

Hope you get it sorted. Nice car.

Had considered remapping myself until started getting these issues. Now I think best leave well enough alone. Doesn't seem de be big knowledge base out there about this engine so it would be a trial and error process.

Bought de car off main dealer in Scotland and have had subaru diagnostics done in Ireland. You reckon remapping would show up? I don't have any experience is this area.

deandean

domog wrote: »

Bought de car off main dealer in Scotland and have had subaru diagnostics done in Ireland. You reckon remapping would show up? I don't have any experience is this area.

Well, the remap lads often say that an ECU re-map is very hard to detect, the dealer would probably have to do a full flash upgrade to the ECU RAM to OEM spec (:eek:) to make sure the maps are OEM.

Maybe look up one of the remap guys, ask if your make & model can be re-mapped, explain your problem, ask if you might have a dodgy re-map?

Joe Power is well regarded (and my remap-God) see http://www.chippedire.com/ although there are several other well regarded companies too.

Do let us know how you get on, your model car is on my one-day list!

Anan1

deandean wrote: »

Joe Power is well regarded (and my remap-God) see http://www.chippedire.com/

Oddly enough, they don't list Subaru.

domog

Anan1 wrote: »

Oddly enough, they don't list Subaru.

UPDATE: got my own mechanic to split de turbo and clean it. He found a load of sand and dirt inside. Car works like a dream now.
Having seen where the turbo is located right over the plastic cover protecting the bottom of de engine I'm not surprised. No more beach driving for me! Thanks all for input. Think it's gona have to be something to keep an eye on from now on.