big_xavier

Just been for a blast in my car, warmed it up for 5 minutes before setting off got about 4 miles down the road and could hear the turbo spool up on turbo which I have not heard before when driving, blipped the throttle several times and still doing it, so when pulled over down the road the temperature was normal but the turbo and engine seamed hot, turbo glowing in the dark! is that normal ? left it for several minutes and checked the oil it was on low marker, so nursed the car home not allowing turbo to kick in.
let it cool down and then added just less than 1/2 litre of oil which has taken it to full. Gave the car a run down the road and can still hear the turbo kicking in.
Question.. if the oil is low does it starve the turbo of oil and so have I taken some of the life from the turbo bearings ?
I am very concerned now.
Any advice would be appreciated.

bobthebodger

Could be the blades hitting the sides...worn shaft, you know, it wiggles a bit inside.

Bob

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Shouldn't think it being on the minimum marker would cause that - there is still over 4 litres left sloshing around in the sump

...if the turbo gets starved due to lack of oil, then so does the whole engine. And you'd have to pulling some serious G whilst braking and going round the bends to get oil surge.

More likely for the turbo to be finished off from prolonged abuse.

C_B_B

As already said, it sounds like time for a new turbo.

kingofturds

iTrader: (1)

glow in the dark turbos are not good mate

StudentScooby

I had a similair experience in my saff cossie, there was to much play in the shaft.

big_xavier

The car is an 03 wrx with only just 17,000 miles ! allways warmed and cooled down. and the warranty runs out end of month! quick trip to subaru do you think ?

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Although the definition "could hear the turbo spool up" could actually mean anything.

Too vague to be definite

bobthebodger

glowing red in the dark, hence metal on metal....wobbly shaft smacking the sides...heating up the turbo.

Bob

Ps: let us know what they say.

C_B_B

Go for it!

Unless you have a boost gauge fiited it really is very tricky to objectivly discover how well your turbo is working.

LegacySTi

iTrader: (13)

Straight to Dealer mes think!!

Bob Rawle

Since the turbo turbine and casing will be at several hundred degrees centigrade yes its very normal for it to be glowing, have you ever checked the oil before having stsrted and driven ? Or have you only checked when its been stood, once the engine is running engine oil tends to drop you see. Its also normal for a turbo to be heard spooling however if its suddenly louder that could be something but most roller bearing turbos start to whine sooner or later however you have a sleeve bearing item, it takes a good 15 miles of driving to warm these engines up properly btw so 5mins idling really doesn't contribute too much, water come up to temp fairly quiclkly but the oil doesn't. Check the oil again after its been stood overnight on a level surface.

It would do no harmto get the dealer to give a view with the intent of declaring a possible issue before the warranty runs out to give yourself a fighting chance if something does happen afterwards but as mentioned your oil level was still plenty safe in this respect so that has no bearing on whatever the noise is.

cheers

bob

big_xavier

I am going to call dealer in morning , I may be paranoid , but paid a lot of money for my new car that I was hoping to keep and run well for a long time

big_xavier

Well do I feel like a complete donkey or what.
Went to dealers this morning , instead of going to a job.
There mechanic came out on a drive with me, got back popped bonnet and before I could get out of my seat, he said I have found the problem !
Well what do you think it was ???
Scooby clinic had changed the airfilter for a K & N 2 days earlier and had not fitted the cover back properly and clipped it up ! The whistling noise was air rushing in between the seal of the airbox.
I felt stupid but relieved.
Drove home happy

Woody1

I find that the induction always sounds more prominent when its cold probably due to higher air density.

Paulo P

iTrader: (42)

My old Saab

scoobyboy

so your going to take it back now and and have a go about unfiltered air going in to the turbo and how it's shortened it's life and you should have a new turbo free of charge and possibly engine as well......this is after all the reply you would get if it was a dealer that had fitted the filter and not clipped it back properly.

big_xavier

No just happy not knackered it after 2 weeks of ownership.

fujiyama

I spent 23 years in an Engine Laboratory and I saw dozens, no, hundreds of turbos glowing, even in daylight. Go to Boreme.com and see the Orange Arrows F1 car start up; no load, no back pressure, and the exhaust would melt brass! With surface weldmounted t'couples I would expect to see a temp of around 800 degrees.