One of the reasons I bought my Subaru Baja Turbo was that every Subaru owner I talked to said what awesome and reliable vehicles these are. Well, I have a problem. Here is the chronology: September-Check engine light came on (took to dealer; said oil pressure problems; variable valve timing not working; they did a hot flush; problem solved). October-Check engine light on again (took to dealer; same problem; variable valve timing system not working; did 4 hot flushes; problem solved). November-Check engine light on AGAIN, and loss of power above 90 km/hr (took to dealer; still has variable valve timing problems; hot flushed oil and cleaned "banjo bolts"; problem solved but still no power). December-Check engine light back on and STILL no power (took to dealer; said variable valve timing problems and turbo oil seals blown; replaced turbo and cleaned banjo bolts; hot flushed; problem solved). January- Check engine light back on and brand-new turbo made a huge bang and then loss of power AGAIN ! (took to dealer; they have had it for 3 weeks). Final verdict from the dealer ?
Come and pick it up, they said. They replaced the turbo (under it's own warranty), said oil pressure was erratic, replaced oil pump. They still could not get the engine to run reliably. But here's the nasty part:
They said come and pay for the repairs; but bring a tow truck (!) They found "large" pieces of metal in the oil pan. No noise is heard from the upper "long" block; no valve noises or major noises at all. But "big" pieces of metal found in oil pan (not shavings or filings, but BIG pieces). They reccommend "not starting" the vehicle; not driving it for fear of damaging the new turbo. They do not know where the metal is from, and they will not do any further work. They reccommend not driving the vehicle, and suggest that there is "some major problem" in the short block .... All this after $3800 worth of work replacing the turbo, timing belt, oil pump, etc. And they will not fix it any further !! Is this "normal" for a Subaru dealer ? This is a totally stock Baja Turbo that has been dealer-maintained for it's entire life ! And THIS is what Subaru does ??? HELP ! Any advice or suggestions would be welcome !
MAJOR PROBLEM !
Moderator: bajabob
Re: MAJOR PROBLEM !
I have never heard of them just 'stopping' work on a vehicle. Sounds odd, especially if it's under warranty with no modifications to the vehicle.
I talked to somone recently who had a turbo system who had similar problems. Not with the dealership but with the turbo. He had numerous repairs done on an unmodified turbo Baja, I'm not sure of the year of the vehicle. The dealership could not fix the issue and he decided that he was just going to get rid of it. I think he just ended up with a lemon. It doesn't happen often, but every make and model seems to get some quirky ones in their line up.
I talked to somone recently who had a turbo system who had similar problems. Not with the dealership but with the turbo. He had numerous repairs done on an unmodified turbo Baja, I'm not sure of the year of the vehicle. The dealership could not fix the issue and he decided that he was just going to get rid of it. I think he just ended up with a lemon. It doesn't happen often, but every make and model seems to get some quirky ones in their line up.
Re: MAJOR PROBLEM !
Just got some feedback from another poster on this site. There are two "banjo bolts" on the oil lines that feed the turbo bearings. Seems these two bolts have small screen filters on them; and can get clogged up; even if one religiously changes the oil and filter ! I have now been advised to have my mechanic remove and clean these two banjo bolts every 20,000 km or so. Thanks for all your help !
Andrew Klinzmann
Andrew Klinzmann
Re: MAJOR PROBLEM !
First thing I would do would be to stop going to that dealership. They sound about as competent as a room full of monkeys with hammers. Second, find an independent shop that comes well recommended with references(good place to start: your regional forum on Nasioc, ask them for shop recommendations). Third, make sure they actually try to diagnose the issue instead of just using bandaids and throwing parts at it like the dealer did. Thanks to them, you're bank account is almost $4k lighter and you're worse off than when you started. Anyone who is familiar with the EJ series engines should be able to fix your car, Bajas aren't any different than any other Subaru in that regard.
Re: MAJOR PROBLEM !
Hi Andrew...sorry to hear about your problems. I'm not sure if this will help you but see my thread..In dire straits...please advise.
With respect to the metal shavings, here is what one of the posters on here told me:
"The problem is pretty common, when the turbo goes a lot of time it will put metal shavings in the oil, leading to a rod bearing failure.
I know you got no response back, but I am curious if the first shop that did the oil flush found any signs of contamination. I would have the current shop check the oil/cut the filter open and see if there is any signs of metal contamination. The term shavings is what is used, but rarely are they actual shavings, it will be fine particles that look like metallic in paint.
I would make sure the screen is removed, that will help from the turbo being starved for oil.
I would also consider a magnetic oil drain plug, and even a magnet that goes around the oil filter. Just in case anything gets missed during the clean up, Also when the turbo is installed, the shop is going to want to prime it. Best way would be to undo the fuel pump relay, and ignition coil power. crank the engine over for 15 seconds 3 different times. Some turbo companies recommend running the engine and not allowing the turbo to spin for 30 seconds or so. I have never had an issue with the cranking method."
Also, my mechanic spoke with one of the Subaru dealer's mechanics and was told this which I was very surprised to hear. The below conversation was between my local mechanic and the Subaru mechanic:
"The only potential issue which was quite interesting was that the guy he spoke with at Subaru said they had had put in about 3 of these new turbos in over the last year or so and that the engines of the respected vehicles ended up having to be replaced. He said they couldn't really figure it out but somehow after installing the new turbo, debris was getting into the engine and causing enough damage to destroy the engine. I could of swore he mentioned metallic debris of some type as the culprit. Bottom line, they could certainly sell us the new turbo but he did have to warn us about the problem."
I hope you have resolved your problem now but I just thought I would share a little of my experience as I noticed some similarities in your post.
Bobby
With respect to the metal shavings, here is what one of the posters on here told me:
"The problem is pretty common, when the turbo goes a lot of time it will put metal shavings in the oil, leading to a rod bearing failure.
I know you got no response back, but I am curious if the first shop that did the oil flush found any signs of contamination. I would have the current shop check the oil/cut the filter open and see if there is any signs of metal contamination. The term shavings is what is used, but rarely are they actual shavings, it will be fine particles that look like metallic in paint.
I would make sure the screen is removed, that will help from the turbo being starved for oil.
I would also consider a magnetic oil drain plug, and even a magnet that goes around the oil filter. Just in case anything gets missed during the clean up, Also when the turbo is installed, the shop is going to want to prime it. Best way would be to undo the fuel pump relay, and ignition coil power. crank the engine over for 15 seconds 3 different times. Some turbo companies recommend running the engine and not allowing the turbo to spin for 30 seconds or so. I have never had an issue with the cranking method."
Also, my mechanic spoke with one of the Subaru dealer's mechanics and was told this which I was very surprised to hear. The below conversation was between my local mechanic and the Subaru mechanic:
"The only potential issue which was quite interesting was that the guy he spoke with at Subaru said they had had put in about 3 of these new turbos in over the last year or so and that the engines of the respected vehicles ended up having to be replaced. He said they couldn't really figure it out but somehow after installing the new turbo, debris was getting into the engine and causing enough damage to destroy the engine. I could of swore he mentioned metallic debris of some type as the culprit. Bottom line, they could certainly sell us the new turbo but he did have to warn us about the problem."
I hope you have resolved your problem now but I just thought I would share a little of my experience as I noticed some similarities in your post.
Bobby