nikvik1

I have a 2002 bugeye impreza WRX and it’s running around 330bhp. I had a clutch replacement around 3 years ago for an Exedy clutch (pics attached) because it was slipping. Recently it seems to be slipping again, the revs have been shooting up under acceleration and then it catches. Also the clutch pedal is very high. Any ideas? Cheers

I unfortunately didn’t get a refund for the turbo through PayPal they said it was because the turbo had been installed. Doesn’t make any sense but I’m now stuck with it. I took it to the mechanics who said the intake pipe was bent and that is the reason for the smoke. We changed the intake pipe and it’s still smoking. The mechanics said the smoke was not oil because it didn’t smell like 2 stroke. It only does it when the car is idling or when I am in reverse which is a bit odd and it’s only after this turbo was installed. It’s a big puff of white smoke. Could it be coolant leaking through the turbo somehow?

I’ve been driving the car all day with the hope of keeping this turbo and all was looking good. After a full day of no smoke (I’ve been checking it all day) when I arrived home it decided to start smoking again. This seems to clarify it, I think I must have been sold a damaged turbo. I will book the car in tomorrow to refit my cracked VF30 and try to claim my money back on the damaged VF35. Then try to buy another one hoping that the next one will be fully functional. Thanks for you advice 😀

Still no smoke today after a long drive. I’m wondering if the mechanic filled it with oil when fitting it and it’s just slowly been burning it off. I was also told that leaking turbos should have play and this turbo doesn’t have any. Not sure really, any advice would be a big help 🙂

Ok, so I attempted to remove the turbo about a week ago but unfortunately got stuck because I could not remove 3 bolts holding the turbo to the uppipe. I have been driving the car since and the smoke has stopped now. It seems very intermittent. This happened before where one day there was smoke on idle and other times not. I can’t see anything linking these times as I’ve tried on long drives, short drives, under pressure and taking it steady. Does this sound like a bad turbo?

Thanks for the heads up about the gaskets, I will definitely look into it. I’m not sure which banjo bolt was used when installing the VF35 but after looking at my VF30 there is no banjo bolt there so I think it must have been from the VF30.

To be honest I don’t think I’m keeping this new turbo because of this oil leak. I’m just wanting to know what could be causing the problem. I will be re-installing the old VF30 that the car was originally mapped to. I just wanted to know if there was anything like a line that could get bent or a missing washer or anything along those lines that could cause oil to pass down the exhaust. Today it’s raining so can’t work on the car but possibly Monday morning I can remove the turbo and take a look

Well the car never smoked before the turbo was fitted which makes me believe it’s directly related. The mechanic that fitted the turbo didn’t seem to know what he was doing and messed up my power steering so I am gonna steer clear of him again. I purchased the turbo from a bloke on Facebook so I think it’s dodgy to be honest. I told him about it and he said it was all working fine when he shipped it but Don’t believe him. I payed through PayPal and I am currently trying to claim my money back for the turbo. My guess is the exhaust seal is bust and this bloke thought he could sell me the turbo and get away with it. Tomorrow morning I will attempt to remove the turbo and see what’s what.

Ok, great tomorrow I will check all lines visually look and there is nothing sticking out. The car was mapped to the VF30 turbo and the replaced turbo is the VF35 so very similar

The smoke is a whiteish colour but I suppose it could be classed as blue. After I got the car back there was smoke under the bonnet but that’s because the daft bugger of a mechanic bust my power steering when installing the turbo inlet, so oil when everywhere. The engine bay doesn’t smoke anymore now, so the smoke is just out of the exhaust. It’s very sporadic too. Sometimes it pummels out other times it doesn’t. I’m just thinking maybe the mechanic missed a washer or used the wrong bolt or something that could be causing this?

Hi, I recently took my 2001 bugeye WRX to a random local mechanic to have the VF30 turbo replaced with a VF35 due to a crack in my old exhaust housing and now it seems to be smoking at idle when the car is hot. I’ve read many things online about damaged turbo seals, blocked oil drain line etc but the guy who sold me the turbo claims it’s in 100% working order. I’m going to remove the new turbo and fit the old one back myself (because I should really learn to fix my car) by following online videos to do so. So any tips would help, thanks. My question is, could there be anything that the mechanic did during the instal to make white\blue smoke come out the exhaust or is it a duff turbo? Thanks Nick

Thanks for the info. Good shout for the oil, filter and plugs change before the remap. Do you know whats the best option for these items for the 2001 bugeye?

Hi everybody! I have recently purchased a WRX 2001 Impreza wagon and would like a bit of advice if possible. I'm a complete noobie here so please hang in with me. The car already has a VF30 turbo, STI top mount intercooler, upgraded fuel pump and straight system exhaust (prodrive backbox). I think it still has the cat before the turbo, or so Im told I need a new downpipe without a cat. I have already booked the car in for a remap next month and have some (pink) injectors to instal at the same time. Im also looking to get some new brake pads, tyres and there is a petrol smell coming from the rear of the car. Possibly the fuel tank seal or so I've read. Also I will only be using the car on the road not for track days. The car is in great condition for its age and I would like to treat it right. I am originally from the UK but moved to Portugal mainly for the sun. Its great out here but the cars are crap. Old bangers at very high prices but no rust which is a plus! People dont throw stuff away out here they just stick them back together with tape and away they go :) I managed to pick up the Impreza which is a very rare car out here and it also cost me a bomb. Any advice on the topics above would be helpful. Thanks in advance Nick