How screwed am I?? (with pic)

[hamburgerpimp]

Found this crack in turbo housing (about 12oclock position) while installing EST down pipe. No drivability problems , but can't imagine its ok.

[maxenar]

Why is your turbo all powdered up?

[BrotherMatt]

Ouch, and could the discoloration indicate that you're running a bit lean?

[CH46E]

Were you running a lot of fuel additives like octane booster or cleaners? Are you tuned? If so with who?

[hamburgerpimp]

Stock tune, maybe sulfur rich california gas? I use 91 octane 76 gas usually. No lean codes or anything. Car does get driven pretty hard and has about 140k . I purchased with 120k and have done a very detailed stage 0 when I bought it. No problems since then.

[R.Photo]

You're looking at a grand at most, worst case scenario.

[michaelc]

Stock tune, maybe sulfur rich california gas? I use 91 octane 76 gas usually. No lean codes or anything. Car does get driven pretty hard and has about 140k . I purchased with 120k and have done a very detailed stage 0 when I bought it. No problems since then.

Granted you've got 4x the miles on yours than I do, but I didn't have the discoloration on mine last I got a look at it. I've only had CA gas (with the exception of some European gas early on).

[Vio-TT-R]

YOu're looking at the signs of a lean engine, similar to the color you would get on a spark plug if you're running lean. I suggest you take a look at certain sensors ie. Oxygen, MAF, etc. Sensors that have to do with air/fuel mixture.

As for your turbo, if it's working correctly and boosting correctly don't worry about it until you do start to notice however, keep the funds readily available. I saw a K24 on ebay for like $500, install yourself and WHABAMM you just saved yourself a grand.

SCHWING!

~Muffin Prince

[hamburgerpimp]

I guess what I'm curious about is what will happen if I just leave it . Car runs great and has pleanty of power. I have no idea how long the crack has been there , would never have known if I didn't just do downpipe . Color could be from the fact the car burns about a quart of oil every 3k?

[Vio-TT-R]

I guess what I'm curious about is what will happen if I just leave it . Car runs great and has pleanty of power. I have no idea how long the crack has been there , would never have known if I didn't just do downpipe . Color could be from the fact the car burns about a quart of oil every 3k?

Oil burning is normal at about a quart every 3-4k or so, however mine's the same and I do not see any color If you leave it....it will break it will crack/explode/etc. I would leave it until it blew up all over my engine causing magnitudes of issues though. Then fix it....but that's just how I roll.

[hamburgerpimp]

Sweet , that's the answer I was looking for , color in this pic looks similar to mine as well. I stuck my IPhone right up in there with flash on so that's why it looks pretty white inside, was more like grey ish .

[stormchasin_racin]

click on photo to see hairline crack


Everbody has a crack in that place -- but you only find out when you look.

Not to worry -- it doesn't effect performance ...

what makes that crack happen to everyone?

[Vio-TT-R]

what makes that crack happen to everyone?

Why were green monkeys the first to contract AIDS...Who knows?

[atacamaR]

Everyone doesn't have cracks. Mine at 70k didn't. Mine had a bit of white but not excessive. My wrx was the same. I think some is perfectly normal unless you have cracks, excessive amount, or other indications of it being lean. I've Read gas with higher ethanol content/ additives in...

Though cracks in this case might indicate he is actually running lean.

I'd expect this more on a tuned car or modified say with dp/exhaust without tune.

My 2 cents

[MountainR]

This makes me wish I had inspected my turbo when I had the DP off... Oh well.

[VolvoPolestar]

Send it to Cherry Turbo's, he's awesome.

http://www.cherryturbos.com/

[stormchasin_racin]

Everyone doesn't have cracks. Mine at 70k didn't. Mine had a bit of white but not excessive. My wrx was the same. I think some is perfectly normal unless you have cracks, excessive amount, or other indications of it being lean. I've Read gas with higher ethanol content/ additives in...

Though cracks in this case might indicate he is actually running lean.

I'd expect this more on a tuned car or modified say with dp/exhaust without tune.

My 2 cents

Are you saying that running a DP/exhaust without a tune will cause the car to run lean? I knew there were reasons to have it the other way around where if you had a tune and no DP you could over-heat the turbo. Wasn't aware that tune's were necessary for DP/exhaust upgrades. Makes me want to check mine if that's the case.

[hamburgerpimp]

Are you saying that running a DP/exhaust without a tune will cause the car to run lean? I knew there were reasons to have it the other way around where if you had a tune and no DP you could over-heat the turbo. Wasn't aware that tune's were necessary for DP/exhaust upgrades. Makes me want to check mine if that's the case.

Was installing downpipe when crack was noticed , so it can not be from running downpipe with stock tune.

[stormchasin_racin]

Was installing downpipe when crack was noticed , so it can not be from running downpipe with stock tune.

Not necessarily just the crack, but lean conditions in general.

[Beck]

Why is your turbo all powdered up?

He's been running lean for a long time. Tail pipe is probably the same colour (easy way to check lean/rich).

[ifnt420]

click on photo to see hairline crack


Everbody has a crack in that place -- but you only find out when you look.

Not to worry -- it doesn't effect performance ...

Just curious, Is the downpipe flange gasket leaking in this photo?
Can PETEW confirm?

[BrotherMatt]

Stock tune, maybe sulfur rich california gas? I use 91 octane 76 gas usually. No lean codes or anything. Car does get driven pretty hard and has about 140k . I purchased with 120k and have done a very detailed stage 0 when I bought it. No problems since then.

I bought my car with 122K on it in September. The previous owner also lived in here in CA. When I pulled the turbo out for a rebuild I didn't observe any discoloration. It looks like you're running lean. I'd try to track down the cause.

[atacamaR]

Are you saying that running a DP/exhaust without a tune will cause the car to run lean? I knew there were reasons to have it the other way around where if you had a tune and no DP you could over-heat the turbo. Wasn't aware that tune's were necessary for DP/exhaust upgrades. Makes me want to check mine if that's the case.

If the stock ecu can't account for the freer flowing exhaust it is possible you'll lean out a bit. You'll be fine with catback, but i wouldn't rule it out if you had dp/exhaust. Atleast, I wouldn't run it for years without a tune. I contacted Lucky from IPD a long time ago when considering getting ipd dp/exhaust but waiting for the tune. He advised not to run too long with dp/exhaust with no tune for fear of running to lean if ecu couldn't cope.

Why invest the money in DP and exhaust but opt out of tune? I can see in the short term but for a long time? The tune is where you will see the biggest gains with said setup.

Another thread where Lucky chimed in.
"Cars with Downpipes usually require a stage II map. For cars with cat back no tuning is required but stage I is highly recommended"

That said plenty of people have run just fine without noticing any ill effects. I run just tme catback but will be getting a tune at the same time I go with a dp.

Was installing downpipe when crack was noticed , so it can not be from running downpipe with stock tune.

wasn't referring to OP with statement.

[Beck]

I'd be interested to see your AFRs when it's back on the road.

[hamburgerpimp]

I'd be interested to see your AFRs when it's back on the road.

Going to check that today when I get to work.

[maxenar]

Is there a written procedure on how to remove our turbos?

[stormchasin_racin]

If the stock ecu can't account for the freer flowing exhaust it is possible you'll lean out a bit. You'll be fine with catback, but i wouldn't rule it out if you had dp/exhaust. Atleast, I wouldn't run it for years without a tune. I contacted Lucky from IPD a long time ago when considering getting ipd dp/exhaust but waiting for the tune. He advised not to run too long with dp/exhaust with no tune for fear of running to lean if ecu couldn't cope.

Why invest the money in DP and exhaust but opt out of tune? I can see in the short term but for a long time? The tune is where you will see the biggest gains with said setup.

Another thread where Lucky chimed in.
"Cars with Downpipes usually require a stage II map. For cars with cat back no tuning is required but stage I is highly recommended"

That said plenty of people have run just fine without noticing any ill effects. I run just tme catback but will be getting a tune at the same time I go with a dp.



wasn't referring to OP with statement.

Cool thanks,

I have a DP/catback and have a few other things I want to get built before going with a tune but yes, I would like to have one at one point (still waiting to compare ARD's). I've suspected that my engine is running rich (stronger than normal exhaust smell on harder acceleration, decreased power at lower RPM's) so I'm waiting for coils/plugs to arrive. Was hoping that would fix the issue. When I saw you say that running without a tune could influence AFR's, it got me a little worried. Mind loaning me $895 bucks so I can make sure the R stays around?

[atacamaR]

Cool thanks,

I have a DP/catback and have a few other things I want to get built before going with a tune but yes, I would like to have one at one point (still waiting to compare ARD's). I've suspected that my engine is running rich (stronger than normal exhaust smell on harder acceleration, decreased power at lower RPM's) so I'm waiting for coils/plugs to arrive. Was hoping that would fix the issue. When I saw you say that running without a tune could influence AFR's, it got me a little worried. Mind loaning me $895 bucks so I can make sure the R stays around?

Heh, you are ahead of me. I'm saving for dp, tune, track wheels/tires. Not necessarily in that order though. I want the wheels/tires first so I can start getting some track days in. 17" 1.2's from viva

I'm also not worried about running lean with a good backfire when getting on it and switching gears. Love it

[stormchasin_racin]

Heh, you are ahead of me. I'm saving for dp, tune, track wheels/tires. Not necessarily in that order though. I want the wheels/tires first so I can start getting some track days in. 17" 1.2's from viva

I'm also not worried about running lean with a good backfire when getting on it and switching gears. Love it

If only we didn't care about preventative maintenance, maybe we could save up enough money haha. I usually avoid tire/wheel threads because I know I will see something I like, and quickly realize I would have to not pay my bills for three months to afford for a good set.