Subaru has published Service Bulletin # 02-103-07 that identifies a factory design related problem with premature clogging of the oil mesh screen located inside the oiling system that supplies the turbo charger on all model turbo charged cars. A clogged screen will result in oil starvation and turbo charger failure.
Subaru has since published Service Bulletin #02-110-10R indicating that 2010 MY and prior turbocharged engines continue to require oil and filter change intervals of 3,750 miles (6,000 km) or 3 3/4 months, while all 2011 MY turbocharged engines have returned to the original requirement of 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 7 1/2 months, and they are required to use synthetic oil. Due to the issues outlined in this document, AMSOIL recommends following Subaru drain interval recommendations.
Thanks bluesubie
So do you take this to mean the banjo bolt screen is the primary concern? I see 3 issues leading to the short OCIs: the banjo bolt screens, the 5w30 specification/recommendation and apparently they are just hard on oil. It seems to me that at least the turbo side screen should be removed (not terribly difficult) and it is still probably best to go with stouter oil than 5w30. If those are both done, do you think the OCI should still stay short?
Doug