Hi! 

 

 

Been wanting a Subaru for years now and finally on Saturday my dream came true and i got my hands on a 2001 Bugeye WRX that has a turbo from the hawkeye model (according to the Subaru mechanic). The cars been amazing and pulls like a train! (dyno'd at 274bhp). Ive always been a Toyota guy and have had both Celica and Corolla T sports so boost is a new world for me haha

 

 

Unfortunately after only a few days my scooby has developed an odd issue, which for me is ultra confusing as ive never owner a turbo before, but no doubt you guys will have a better understanding than me and hit me with the noob stick!

 

The car is fitted with an aftermarket boost gauge, when i bought the car it was boosting at around 13-16 psi but now when on boost the car makes a loud "whooshing" noise and peak boost when flooring it is 9-10 psi.

 

No CEL lights and the car out of boost runs absolutely perfect with no issues what so ever. The car use to really pull at 3.5k RPM but now it only kicks in around 4.5k and noticeably weaker :( I won't lie, after purchasing the car i did give it a bit of a hard drive, but made sure the car was warmed up properly and cooled down on the way home and left to tick over when parked up.

 

Sorry to introduce myself and immediately have a problem! But look forward to getting to know everyone and going to meets :)

 

Ryan

Hello mate, welcome, I'm new me self, is the car down on power, I assume it is as its reading low on boost, is it definately a whooshing noise and not a noise like a ghost, if it's a whooshing noise only I would presume you have either popped a boost hose off or more likely split one, but tbh my turbo experience is mainly with old cosworths and Renault turbos and they are a lot less involved than these motors so maybe someone else will be along in a mo with more help

Thanks :) Yes its definitely a wooshing noise and not like a metallic grinding or whistling noise, ive heard a VW with the turbo on it going and doesn't sound anything like that. Im just hoping i havent done anything stupid and damaged something. The car drives absolutely flawlessly off boost though and even on boost drives fine, just doesnt make PSI higher than 9-10 so doesnt feel as quick. I've been living with the Toyota 2ZZ engine for almost 5 years now so under the bonnet of the WRX is all new to me haha.

Wotcha and welcome - no noob stick wielding on this forum - feel free to get stuck in, as already mentioned I would check for leaks / splits in hoses

Hello & welcome

You probably need to have a little google of what pipes have boost when your on it and take it from there, I was going to say that it sounds like a little leak as you are still making boost, but maybe it's bigger and the turbo is blowing it's nuts off to try and keep up, once again I'm not too sure what the scoob electronics would do in this event, but you could be having a fuelling issue while on boost because of it so I would defo keep out of boost until it's sorted, there are so many pipes that could be blown off(little Unclipped ones) all around and under the intake manifold, if yours is anything like my 07 wrx, so if it's not a split/loose pipe in or on the major boost pipes coming from turbo to intercooler and then intercooler to throttle body, maybe even a by pass valve issue, maybe a blown gasket where it bolts onto the intercooler, or even a knackered bpv or highly unlikely, a leak in the intercooler itself, it could very well be one of the little pipes that are everywhere, I had a few vacuum leaks on mine and cable tied everything I thought there was to cable tie, then took off the intercooler one time and found a load more, so be vigilant

Right so have a little update, will make a proper build thread when the car is working and have pictures :)

 

Took the car to a Subaru specialist near where i live and showed me that the gasket on the turbo connecting to the downpipe had perished. So hopefully friday the turbo will be coming out and a new gasket going in and back to the land of boost and honey for me!

 

Many thanks for the welcomes and help :) Look forward to going to club meets and starting my own thread.

:-/ never even crossed my mind that it could be that side of the turbo ! Good luck mate