Turbo gone?
 

Hi guys and gals...
I'm not having much luck at the moment...
MY95 WRX standard setup including cat.
Pulled on to the M11 earlier with a bit of throttle (50-70mph, 1/4 throttle) when I heard an ominous rattle from under the bonnet, a whooshing (or spinning) noise, but not a lot of oomph. Boost gauge will not go above "0" and every time that I put load on the engine I hear a very light rattle, and a spinning/ whooshing noise - no boost.
I've checked all the pipework (normal TMI) and it's all fine.
My suspect is that the turbo has partially seized. Do you think that's a fair diagnosis? Any alternatives gratefully received!
Does anyone have a good condition standard TD05 from a MY95 or MY96 WRX that they want to sell? I have no intention of upgrading at the moment.
Thanks!

Take the intercooler off and look for bits of metal and oil would be a good start I would have thought

Of course. That will be my first port of call tomorrow, but if the failure is as I've described I may not see any evidence until I try to rotate the impeller by hand?

Just had the same mate picked up my forester on Sunday driving home the turbo sounded exactly as you described ... Fitted a new unit all good defiantly sounds like you've blown the blower !! Hope you get it sorted pal

Thanks mate. Just hoping that any damage hasn't contaminated the block...

Was it an absolute pain to fit the new unit? I'm prepared for rusted studs!

Update...
Took the old turbo out, and there was around 5mm of play on the spindle.
New turbo installed, and the car runs perfectly again.