Engine/Power - EJ25T (STI and 2006+ WRX) Discussions about the USDM 2006+ WRX and WRX STi 2.5 liter turbo flat-four.

Need Help: 20g turbo failure, who done it?

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Old 07-06-2009 | 06:35 PM
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Need Help: 20g turbo failure, who done it?

So I had a Blouch TD06 20g installed a few months back. Great turbo btw, excellent power and decent spool up. Mike at GST did an excellent job with the tune as well. Anyways, I was up at lake tahoe and got on the throttle and pSHHHH white smoke pouring out the exhaust when I hit 6k rpm. There was no CEL light or violent shaking of the car, just after that no more boost.

I stopped the car, checked oil, checked coolant... usual stuff all looked good. Nothing visibly wrong in the turbo area all lines still connected, still looked brand new. The car starts and idles fine and sounds fine. It also drives fine just no boost... So I'm thinking this was not any kind of engine failure. My car still pours out a little smoke sometimes (I'm guessing from the oil feeding dead turbo). So I limped it back from Tahoe (filling/checking oil to make up for burnt oil). It will be limping to GST as soon as they answer their phone

I was hoping to get some expertise from people that have been through dead turbo cases. Obviously my turbo is dead, but did something else go wrong to cause it to die? What is common in this type of failure? What should I look for when the turbo comes out besides crap in my exhaust system? Blouch came highly recommended from several people so I want to assume their turbo is not at fault. Although, my engine has had a excellent record and had a vf39 for 80k miles before getting this 20g. Indeed, it could finally have decided to vomit something out at the turbo... Hopefully the turbo comes out tomorrow and the mystery is solved but I'd love to get some thoughts on this in the meantime.
Old 07-07-2009 | 12:19 PM
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The 20g is an oil and water cooled turbo. The seals in the CHRA failed and coolant got into the turbine wheel, blowing the white smoke. Oil doesn't make white smoke, oil burns black. Sorry to hear about that.

If there isn't any bad screeching, resonant sounds coming from the turbo that are RPM dependent, the bearings are probably still intact. This is would be good because the compressor and turbine wheels would be saved. My guess is a Blouch sent you a turbo with compromised seals, not the end of the world.

This is something to work out with blouch
Old 07-07-2009 | 12:58 PM
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Thanks Knock for the info. GST is booked it seems so I'm left guessing today and maybe this whole week. Waiting to hear back from them.
Turbo is Not spinning at all so I suspect its worse than this. This is confirmed by the fact I cannot build any boost. There is absolutely no sound coming from turbo...
Old 07-07-2009 | 02:01 PM
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ouch that would be a problem. I'd contact Blouch asap and lodge the warranty complaint.

Auto HQ is close to San mateo
Old 07-07-2009 | 02:15 PM
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Yeah, I'm thinking of going to them. Is there anyway I can be sure my engine is not damaged besides doing a compression test? When a detonation event happens shouldn't the CEL come on? Thanks.
Old 07-07-2009 | 02:23 PM
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Not likely. Your motor is probably ok.turbo is probably hosed.
Old 07-07-2009 | 03:53 PM
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AutoHQ is going to help me out this evening hopefully. I just dread the turn around time, this is my daily driver
Old 07-08-2009 | 04:22 PM
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Exhaust side turbo failure, looks like my engine is ok! Coolant/oil lines were perfect working order. Disappointing this thing died so fast... hopefully blouche will do the honorable thing and get me back on the road asap.
Old 07-09-2009 | 10:16 PM
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ouch. That definitely sounds like a manufacturing error.
Old 07-10-2009 | 05:03 PM
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Edited because everyone thinks my replies are a type of trolling!

Last edited by C89ZX7R; 07-10-2009 at 06:46 PM.
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