FMJ

iTrader: (2)

So I just fitted a stainless steel braided oil feed to my car. For those who don't know the OE item is a small hard pipe that runs from the rear of the offside head to the top of the turbo and it provides oil to the turbo.

I was a bit paranoid about the banjo bolt that connects the feed to the head as if you mess up the thread on the head it's game over. To fix it properly it would be engine out head off and re tap, clean the oil galleries out etc. Something you really really don't want to happen. I also read a couple of threads on forums where people had indeed cocked it up and gotten into a world of hurt.

Anyway the old one came off fine with little effort and all was good. I fitted the new line in place with the new banjo bolt supplied in the kit. I tightened it to the service manual spec of 21.7lb/ft with a brand new torque wrench and the bolt would not torque.... I was very careful to put the bolt in all the way by hand first to make sure it didn't cross thread but it just would not torque and kept turning then went loose.... I had a bit of a outburst of anger and felt like my guts had just fell through my **** as I was sure i had stripped the thread.

I sat for a while wondering if I could fix it but pretty much resided to the fact it was f**d. Anyway I went to remove the banjo bolt and just touching it with a spanner and the head of the bolt fell off!



I managed to turn the threaded section back out of the head with no effort and found that the thread inside the head looked fine and there was no swarf...

I then refitted the line with the OE bolt and it torque right up no problem.

So if you get one of these kits FFS don't use the bolt supplied! I was lucky I could get the broken bit out but I wouldn't want to risk it again. I am not sure if the bolt in the kit was stainless but if it was it obviously has a far lower torque value. Would have been nice for that to be mentioned...

On another note in the brief moment I though I was screwed I wondered if you could seal the hole and get the turbo oil feed from the oil pressure switch location at the front of the engine? As this area is obviously pressurised could you take a braided line from here back to the turbo?Or would it cause oil starvation in a previously closed area?

boosted

what was wrong with the factory pipe?

Fonzey

iTrader: (5)

Stuff like this terrifies me, "simple" jobs can turn into absolute nightmares with one stripped thread.

Glad it ended well for you, and good shout on the heads up

Bob99

Not sure where you got the torque figure from as the Factory Manual says the oil pipe is fitted and torque should be 16 N·m (1.6 kgf-m, 11.6 ft-lb)

jazzyjembreaze

iTrader: (11)

Also we're was the kit purchased ? Was it a eBay job
Lateral & RCM oil feed kits don't fail

FMJ

iTrader: (2)

No mate that's the turbo end which is a smaller bolt. I can assure you I used the right setting and am willing to put a screen shot of the fsm but I am at work at the mo. Yes it was a £30 eBay job but my thinking was "how bad can a simple short braided hose and two banjo bolts be" guess I know now.

scoobyJim2

They're naughty selling inferior parts.bet they wouldn't pay for the work when the cheap bolts snap!

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

Not the HEL kit by chance, they're £30 but are usually well made

FMJ

iTrader: (2)

They would just say I over tightened it I would have thought. I will post a link later but it's not hel.

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

That's good because I'm about to buy one of theirs

FMJ

iTrader: (2)

This one: http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/vie...d=140898366053

Ironically the reason I chose this one was because it came with fittings!

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

Not even a fully assembled hose - you can pick them up directly from China for about £15; these companies typically pick up cheap **** from the far east, advertise as UK suppliers and make a quick profit. For the same money you could have had this...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2310456718...84.m1423.l2649

boosted

I ask again, what was wrong with the standard subaru pipe?

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

Technically nothing, but when you're freshening up your engine bay these braided ones are cheaper than the OE ones assuming you get a well made one. On a 12 year old car mine is not going to be as effective as when it was new as a residue will have built up on the inner walls over the years.

JDM_Stig

iTrader: (3)

as they are a solid pipe they can crack

boosted

Lots of manufaturers use them with no problems at all for very high milages. Ive seen hard pipes braek/crack when fitted incorrectly, or bent about and then bolted back up. If it aint broke dont fix it! Im sure a std hard pipe will outlast a cheap chinese PTFE lined braided pipe, with cheap soft banjo bolts.

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

Which is why you buy a UK manufactured item from HEL or MLR with decent plated or stainless banjo bolts

boosted

Cant comment on the quality of said hoses, however I avoid stainless bolts as much as possible as it is soft and has a higher chance of picking up that steel.

FMJ

iTrader: (2)

Yeah the old pipe had developed a leak. I would certainly advise people buy a Hel or similar pipe after this. Yes it costs £30 without the banjos but I am sure you could pick up decent ones for no more then £5 each and the copper washers again could be had fairly cheaply. I will be complaining to the ebay seller but doubt I will get anywhere.

Davros 1979

iTrader: (56)

If they dont help you then just open up a case.

eBay always side with the buyer whether you are in the right or the wrong.

FMJ

iTrader: (2)

Just for the record here is the diagram with the correct torque values:



I will try for a full refund from ebay and if I get one will get a Hel hose.

scoobyJim2

In the description it says if you're not satisfied they will refund & to contact them first to resolve issues before leaving feedback! Sounds iffy to me,no doubt your not the only one its happened too!

JDM_Stig

iTrader: (3)

that is pretty standard patter for most who sell on fleabay being honest

boosted

Out of interest how big was the restrictor hole in the other ebay banjo? the one on the turbo cartridge??

FMJ

iTrader: (2)

Thank you for reminding me to check that as it was something I hadn't gotten around to and I haven't connected the turbo end up yet. On checking the new bolt has a bigger hole. I wouldn't have used the new bolt anyway to be honest as I am sure it will break too. More ammunition to complain with... I just sent them a message asking for a full refund and luckily I haven't left feedback yet. If I get a refund I will be purchasing a Hel line and using OE fittings.

scoobyJim2

It just says to me they have reason to worry.puts me off buying a bit,unless I knew the quality was definitely good

FMJ

iTrader: (2)

Well at least they kept to their word. I told them that the part wasn't fit for purpose and they gave me a full refund and also refunded the £2.30 I paid to post it back to them. They stated that this is the first time they are aware of this happening... but no retailer would ever say different. I now have a HEL line and it is so much better, all one piece and clearly higher quality.

scoobyJim2

wrx271

iTrader: (1)

I was thinking the same thing I'm glad theres people on here that actual think of the more important things bigger is not always better the whole in the banjo is the size it is for a reason....buy cheap buy twice

FMJ

iTrader: (2)

It was too big... all junk.