subaru reliability?

[prodriver1]

is anyone with a WRX or STi still running the original engine? is there a reliability issue with turbo subaru motors?

[Dead91silvia]

My Baja I just got still has the original motor, same long block at the STI. 191K. I just had to replace a burnt valve and the TD04 had a bit of shaft play, but just tossed another one on, but seems to still be in good shape for the miles.

Also have a customer with an 05 XT Outback with 190K. He got it new, I've been working on it since 65K. All we have done is a clutch (125K), 2 t-belts/water pumps, o2 sensor, turbo (at 180K), and 2 sets of plugs... I'm sure I'm missing a few little things, but thats about it.

If the are not beat on every day, they do well, but when they are beat on, not so well.

[prodriver1]

ok cool, I have been looking at getting a new subaru but instead of getting another like mine I want a outback XT but have not heard good things about turbo engines reliability, I guess if it's not a douche driven STi it's fine then like most things.

[Yamazaki]

My wife's Forester XT has 215K miles with no issues whatsoever. It has been taken care of though, so no burnt valves, the turbo was in perfect condition (I semi recently swapped in a larger turbo), and the only issue it has had was old hoses/lines cracking and needing replacement. No internal issues at all.

[Dead91silvia]

The GT's and Outback XT's do have a problem with turbos letting go, but mostly on cars that have been beat. The one I replaced on my customers car pretty much babied it's whole life, but when it went, it went in epic fashion. All the other turbo cars had different turbos for some reason and the Legacy's got the shit end of the stick.

[1ga]

My friend has Legacy BE5 jdm with EJ206 installed.
He was driven it about 220 kkms without rebuild.
Now swapped JDM ej208 and engine fallen down after 160 kkms mileage.

So time to time...

[prodriver1]

I have heard something about this, is it only the first turbo legacies in 05'? or did the issues go longer than that?

[unsullied_spy]

Most of the turbo Subarus we see towed into the dealership I work at are run low on oil, too long between oil changes (miles and/or time) or driven way too hard. With an Outback XT you'll want to make sure the turbo and AVCS oil feed banjo bolts have had their screens removed or been replaced with the updated part that does not have the screen in them. Even then we generally see 90-120k miles out of an engine or turbo. Of course there are exceptions to everything, some may get 20k miles and some may go past 200k, but there are some shops around where I live that won't even touch these cars because they don't want any degree of liability for anything that goes out. Whenever we have engine and/or turbo failure we replace absolutely everything that comes into contact with oil--short block, heads, cams, AVCS solenoids, turbo, oil cooler, *EVERYTHING* because tiny particles of metal have a bad habit of hiding inside of these things and then dislodging and ruining a ~$10k repair. In theory it would be an awesome car to have but you have to keep up with maintenance on them. We see an occasional turbo failure (not common, but it happens) and I've seen burned exhaust valves (which may have been lack of maintenance--valve clearance does need to be checked).

[MannyMohawk#5]

If the are not beat on every day, they do well, but when they are beat on, not so well.


I think this is always a primary factor.

[prodriver1]

Most of the turbo Subarus we see towed into the dealership I work at are run low on oil, too long between oil changes (miles and/or time) or driven way too hard. With an Outback XT you'll want to make sure the turbo and AVCS oil feed banjo bolts have had their screens removed or been replaced with the updated part that does not have the screen in them. Even then we generally see 90-120k miles out of an engine or turbo. Of course there are exceptions to everything, some may get 20k miles and some may go past 200k, but there are some shops around where I live that won't even touch these cars because they don't want any degree of liability for anything that goes out. Whenever we have engine and/or turbo failure we replace absolutely everything that comes into contact with oil--short block, heads, cams, AVCS solenoids, turbo, oil cooler, *EVERYTHING* because tiny particles of metal have a bad habit of hiding inside of these things and then dislodging and ruining a ~$10k repair. In theory it would be an awesome car to have but you have to keep up with maintenance on them. We see an occasional turbo failure (not common, but it happens) and I've seen burned exhaust valves (which may have been lack of maintenance--valve clearance does need to be checked).

extremely useful info for me! thank you!!

[prodriver1]

great info from all thanks guys!