[MikeyB]

Just purchased MY03 WRX with a powerflow exhaust, thats the only mod, when I floor it in any gear, when I hit about 4,000rpm there is a real loud scream which builds up the more up the revs are. If I take it easy (70% throttle whilst accelerating) the noise isn't there, just the normal rumble....

Someone has told me that the turbo may be on its way out, others say its the drive train?

To be honest I have no idea as I'm not very mechanical.

Any thoughts? Should I be changing the turbo?

Gutmann pug

If its in the drive train it would be there the whole time IMHO ..... The turbo kicks in around 3000rpm (ish) and is probably coming on full boost around 4K.

Get your local specialist to have a quick look at it.

What part of the country are you? someone will advise where to take it.

Gary

Gutmann pug

Second thoughts its not an induction kit is it? Silly question I know .....

*AL*

You may have a boost leak which you tend to notice at full boost.Check all turbo pipe connections and look for splits around boost pipe clips.

[MikeyB]

Not the induction kit as I've just fitted a new K&N Typhoon and the noise is definitley still there... its proper loud... Thought it was a common thing on the Scooby to be honest.

I'm based in West Yorkshire, where's the nearest garage where they actually know what there on about and won't just say... "oh yes sir, your right, your turbo is kaput"

Cheers all, MikeyB

Stevesbluewrx

iTrader: (4)

Maybe the Gasket on the turbo could be cracked?

Steve

[MikeyB]

Cheers Steve, is that something I can check myself? Is it easy to get to...

Stevesbluewrx

iTrader: (4)

It isn't the quickest job to perform mate. You will need to take the IC off and un-bolt the turbo.

Best to get the Subaru Garage to take a look buddy. Is it still under warranty?

Steve

Gutmann pug

Does the car feel like its running well?

TonyFlow

Is it like a Screamer pipe scream?

[MikeyB]

The car feels like its running fine, no dry spots in the pull at all.

It's still under warranty so guess I'll take it to the dealer for a quick checkup.

Cheers for the advice.

[MikeyB]

No idea what one of them is mate?

Tripple'O G

Sounds like the turbo fella.......

If it's happening at 3grand and full throttling that would turbo and boost......
never heard them scream though......unless it's the wheel blades catching

[MikeyB]

Just booked in at Subaru Huddersfield, a week on Saturday. Would this sort of thing be covered under warranty then?

Am I still ok to drive it for another whole week?

Gutmann pug

If you have a proper warranty then you should be ok ...... Make sure you get them to tell you its covered before they start changing parts though.

[MikeyB]

Subaru (Hudds) have told me over the phone that the car has a warranty until July 2006. Hopefully everything should be covered...

If the turbo is knackered, do I stick with a warranty job or use it as an excuse to stick a better bigger model on? Or will this cause more problems than its worth?

Tripple'O G

Thats a big point.......
Find out first otherwise the bill could be $$$$'s......

It will be under warranty though......(as long as you haven't changed it or anything that may stress it)

If you start going down the bigger turbo route then it will void your warranty and doubtfull that the engine will cope....so you'd have a list of things to change,,

[MikeyB]

I'll leave it be then, as I'll be buying an STI early next year anyway.

Thanks for all the advice.

MikeyB

corradoboy

The Powerflow exhaust could be used as an excuse not to pay out on the warranty claim should it prove to be the turbo. They can and will use any reason to avoid a big bill for themselves these days. Some dealers are more diligent than others at reporting such things back to IM though.

[MikeyB]

Thing is, I don't have the original exhaust...

Even if I did, would this be something they could pick on on anyway?

rossi_classicwrx

this may seem like a stupid answer.. but.. if you drive the car upto say 4.5 thousand revs.. and its screaming away... does the noise go away if you back off the throttle and therfore let the boost pressure drop.. if it does then its almost definatly the turbo.. I'm no expert though!!

scoobyboy1

iTrader: (16)

Had a loud scream on my 2004 WRX when I booted it, The sound made a high pitched scream when the boost came on and it sounded like there was boost escaping from the boost pipe, So I decided to tighten up the clamps on the boost pipes and the sound has gone.

Just make sure all your hoses on the turbo and intercooler are tight.

[MikeyB]

Not a daft question at all, but I'll give it a try tonight on my way home. I'll post on here to let you know.

[MikeyB]

Just tested the theroy above to see if I still get the scream when I take my foot off the accelerator at speed and I don't.

Which suggests the turbo right?

rossi_classicwrx

yeah it does suggest its the turbo.. or that theres air leaking out somewhere under boost.. probably best to check all the pipes are tight etc... hopefully it will be something as simple as that.

Sorry just noticed ive said the same as someones already said!!

EVOLUTION

my guess is the silencer used on the exhaust.


Get that ****e off the car asap mate, no joke, if you read on the supra forums there has been a few threads on this before, cant remember the exact cause, but i have heard it and the noise you have described seems to be a good match. do that before you go and change anything, or at very least, take it to a good exhaust place like AAS in newcastle.


far cheaper than a turbo replacement that may well not be needed


pm me for more info if required


cheers


john

[MikeyB]

Thanks John, I've been wanting to get rid of the exhaust anyway, so I'll get that done this weekend.

One question, I've heard of people have problems once the powerflow exhaust has been fitted due to some cutting of some sort?? Is this true?

speedking

In post #1 you said that the exhaust was the only mod, then in post #5 that you have fitted an induction kit. If I was the dealer I would say that you have obviously disturbed or left something in the inlet which has been sucked through the turbocharger damaging it, and that there will be no warranty claim. HTH.

[MikeyB]

The induction kit was fitted three days ago, and the noise has been there since I bought the car 2 weeks ago, I'll get the original induction kit on for now, until the problem is resolved.

Cheers.

corradoboy

I'd leave the I/K off and sell it on eBay IIWY. There is no power to be found on an otherwise standard WRX from I/K's, and if anything you will reduce power by sucking in hot engine bay air. They also have a habit of killing MAF sensors by shaking them to bits unless adequately bracketed, or fowling MAFs with oil from the filter. Much better to get a free-flowing panel in the stock intake box and remove the ram-air scoop and intake resonator, then seal off the wing to engine bay apertures, and seal the airbox to the wing. This allows plenty of clean, cool air to be induced by the very well designed (once mod'd as suggested) Subaru intake. To allow a little extra flow of air into the wing, remove the foglight surround and drill out a triangular hole in the foglight mounting plate (plastic) where the styling vent bits are. When on track I now fully remove the foglight for lots of air, but do not be tempted to duct air directly from the foglight to the airbox under any circumstances.