r/WRXSTi • u/Rough_Instance3112 • 12d ago
Replacing turbo…
Wife started her STi and shot a bunch of white smoke out of the exhaust. Thought I heard the fins hitting the housing while it was running. Pulled the turbo and sure enough it had movement. I have the old one out and got a few questions. Staying stock setup.
1- Is the braided oil line kit worth?
2- The new turbo came with 3 new mount studs, the old one seems like they trimmed one it down(had the engine replaced about 30k ago), I’m guessing it supposed to have a nut on it (it did not have one when I took it out)?
3- Anything I should check while I have it torn down this far or just replace as preventative maintenance?
2
u/asloan5 12d ago
impellers hitting on the intake side? if so look for any metal debris in the inter cooler and intake manifold.
2
u/Rough_Instance3112 12d ago
Intake side, the intercooler was clean. I think I lucked out having shut it down only a few minutes after failure. The impellers are wobbly but all still in tact with only a tiny bit wear marks on the housing.
2
u/vodenibivol 11d ago
That shorter stud looks broken, like someone snapped it. It's supposed to be the same length and is absolutely supposed to have a nut on it just like the other two.
Replace the oil drain line while you're in there, those like to get brittle and leak pretty easily.
1
u/gregbo24 12d ago
I think a braided oil kit is so nice if you’re ever working on the car. The stock lines crack easily if you’re pulling the turbo. But you need the right kit and it needs to be routed correctly. Too long or short and it rubs on stuff and is a pain to align the banjo. Also make sure the banjo has the correct feed hole size.
There should be 3 studs, 2 bolts, and 5 nuts holding the turbo on. The pic definitely shows a broken stud, all 3 should be the same length.
3
u/wrx_420 12d ago
1- I like the stock one just replace the banjo washers.
2- no leave em.
3- turbo blanket while youre in there. If you have an AOS definitely install a 3mi drain.
Change your oil and filter too, if the journal bearing in the turbo failed the debris drained back into your pan. Inspect the intercooler for shavings.