wrx is smoking

[scoobdude]

My wrx is smoking blue (oil). I was wondering if i can get a 2nd oppinion about the issue on here. here is what happens:

Start car normally: no smoke

drive car normally: smoke at stop once car is warmed up (not all the time) reving the motor causes more smoke when the issue is present. However after a couple of quick revs the smoke has stopped (at least visibly)

drive car hard: same as above but with more smoke. at first this only happened on occasion, but now it is everytime i let the car idle at stop (or run on the TT).

My assumption is bad seals on the turbo. I have not taken it apart yet, and it is covered by warranty (lets see how that goes). Only other 2 things i could think of are vavle seals (dunno if this would apply since this is an H4), or piston rings.

Car has a 3" exhaust, but no EM or boost controllers besides stock. the only thing i have done differently is the switch from Mobil 1 15w50 to Amsoil 20-50 (and this last one was AMSOIL 10w40 for winter).

any ideas would help. i have already found another turbo, but an engine will not be easy (providing the dealership does not want to fix)

thanks in advance,
Joe

 

[ekpolk]

Miles on car? Time in service? Type use? What types/grades of oil does Subaru call for in the manual?

 

[scoobdude]

32K miles, run spiritedly, subaru calls for 10-30 to 10-40. Time in service? car is just over a year old. hope that answers them.

Joe

 

[Gary Allan]

The turbo seals would be my first thought. Check the intake down stream of the turbo ..there's usually some oil ..but if you see lots

 

[scoobdude]

I have had the car since new. As far as the spec of oil to use, nothing is mentioned. You say there has been alot of this lately. i would like to see some of that data (as proof for the stealership) and for my own records. I am not questioning your statement in any way. I believe it is probably more of a quality control issue than driving profile (at least in my case).

I will pull the intercooler hopefully this weekend to see if i find something. will probably take to dealership as soon as i found out what the problem is (tehn the real battle begins).

Thanks for replying and offering your suggestions.

joe

 

[darryld13]

Is this WRX still under warranty and/or have you established a service history with a dealership with this issue? If so, I wouldn't touch a thing - no need to give the dealership or manufacturer any possible reason to deny coverage.

 

[Dominic]

Exactly... if she's smoking under warranty - thats powertrain warranty - definitely take it in for service now!

 

[scoobdude]

last tiem i dealt with the stealership i went though this : http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=16;t=001305

just preparing myself for the worst, but hoping for the best. I will keep you guys updated when i take it in next week

Joe

 

[Ugly3]

I read your post from beginning to end, quite a story and I am glad you reached a reasonable conclusion.

I can just see the dealer now, "here comes a turbo unit with a revised exhaust and a quick shifter complaining of the engine smoking". "I wonder just how he drives this little beast". The hackles will be up from the get go.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[JHZR2]

have you had the car since new?

Was the car specced to have syn oil since the factory? It seems that a lot of people put in conventional oil for a while, and Im not so sure thats the smartest thing.

Seems that a lot of these cars are having problems. Maybe due to the driving profile, or maybe due to the quality... I cant say.

I hope you get to a cheap solution.

JMH

 

[JeepZJ4.0]

quote:

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Originally posted by scoobdude:
last tiem i dealt with the stealership i went though this : http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=16;t=001305

just preparing myself for the worst, but hoping for the best. I will keep you guys updated when i take it in next week

Joe

---

Have you tried a different dealership? Or is there only one dealer in the Austin area? I'm from Katy and there is a Subaru dealer nearby. West Houston Subaru. My friend has brought his WRX there for service when we were still in high school. Actually, he's at UT now. It seems like a good dealership because I see a good number of Subarus in our area. That Tim Powers guy would not last ten seconds with me in a room if he tried to pull that warranty denial.

PS. i love the fact that the aftermarket exhaust system made the transmission easy to remove.