RedScoob

Hi guys and gals,
Recently had a spot of bother with my 100kmiles MY95WRX, that I hope you can help with.
Until recently (and for the past year) my turbo pressure has been fluctuating between 0.5 and 0.9 bar at full throttle. After a recent spirited run, I noticed a slight missfire (appeared though the car was running on 3 cylinders) and a slight increase in temperature. I was less that a mile from home, so I limped it back and have left it here for analysis...
The car has used all it's water, but once refilled starts fine with no missfire (even though there is slight water contamination to the engine oil). There are no knocks or bangs. It smokes heavily under partial throttle (a foul-chemical-smelling white smoke).
I'm thinking that the turbo has gone, but I'd really like some opinions off you guys as I'm a relative newby to turbocharged engines.
Really appreciate any opinions from you folks, please let me know if there's something I've overlooked?

bugeyejohn

iTrader: (11)

If you've used water unless there's a leak i would have a sniff test done to check the hg.

RedScoob

Thanks, I'll do that.
Head gasket is an engine-out job, is that right?

bugeyejohn

iTrader: (11)

I'm afraid so but i wouldn't worry until you know for sure.The boost problem is probably something else though.

opeli400

it will be head gasket mate.

RedScoob

Wow, ok. I'm pretty surprised..
I'll do as bugeyejohn says and get a gas analyser on the reservoir and see what the result is. The labour of getting the engine out is a bit of a pain, but it gives me the chance to do other goodies... ;-) Will keep you posted.

chaffe

iTrader: (1)

which one lol, def sounds like a hg problem to me, but being an alloy block and heads you will have to be very sure it has not been warped due to overheating, it takes very little!

RedScoob

I'm hoping that because I caught it so early, there won't be too much damage... Fingers crossed. Makes sense to do both of them (plus other failure points) while the engine is out, plus getting the heads and mating surfaces checked for warpage. As it happens, I have two WRX heads that need rebuilding in the garage...
Thanks for your feedback guys.

opeli400

it would be much cheaper if you could do it yourself, as its engine out, replace both head gasket sets, skim both heads, and really while your in there its good practice to replace the cam belt (kit) and water pump. also while its out take a look at the clutch.

Hobstar82

Defo sounds like headgasket! As above, do both gaskets and do clutch as engines out! 100% get the heads pressure tested and skimmed!!! It's never worth not doing as you'll have gone thru all the troubles off getting your engine out! Do the cam belt and check tensioner and idlers, replace if any uncertainty! If you have adjustable tappets check and adjust before refitting engine. Oil and filter change and spark plugs too.

Do the job once and DO IT RIGHT

chaffe

iTrader: (1)

and dont forget the the valve stem oil seals too! these will come with the headset

chaffe

iTrader: (1)

Oh and THE most important thing no one has mentioned, find the cause of the headgasket failure! It could be cooling fans not working as they should, faulty/leaking radiator, burst hose/leaking joint, water pump. There is always a reason these things fail, very rarley just age or milage related (although possible)

RedScoob

Thanks for all your help guys.
Once the heads are off I'll do the timing belt, gaskets, head bolts, tensioner, waterpump and a general cleanup (I have a valve removal tool as well so can do the stem seals). Clutch is less that 40k miles old, so should be ok..
Well, that's my summer project sorted.