I have an 03 wrx with 91,000+ miles on it. Twice in the past 11 days I have smelled burning oil and a cloud of smoke coming from my hood scoop. I open the hood and I see smoke coming from in between my turbo and my down pipe. Also when I jump on it, it seems like it is lagging. Its not a smooth pull. It seems like something is slipping.
Any suggestions on what might be the problem? Am I right or is it something totally different?
Thanks for the help.

 

Any mods? Maybe just a bad gasket?

 

nothing around the turbo.

 

Okay well it maybe just a bad gasket. If the turbo spins freely, no shaftplay or whatsoever any effect on performance probably just a bad gasket leaking. Any popping sounds or slightly louder exhaust sounds?

 

there is some performance problems. when i jump on it, it's not to smooth. it feels like it is cutting out a little. something isn't grabbing. it feels like something is slipping.

 

ok....do a test. Have the car running and have a friend rev it while you examine it from the engine bay. I'm guessing most likely its a blown gasket. Have a exhaust shop or performance look at it. Its probably the bellmouth gasket that's gone since you said its near that area. The only reason you would smell that burned oil smell is that you exhaust leaks. You might as well just upgrade!!! Do a up-pipe and downpipe. Keep the catback won't change the sound by much than stock. And plus you get better spool.

 

i will do the test but i have only seen the smoke and smelled the oil burning twice. i have a stromung cat back already. i want to do an up-pipe and downpipe up grade but i need a CA legal downpipe. any suggestions?

 

Helix V1 catted DP? That's what I got. I have helix up/catted dp. Stage 2. It should pass smog, probably the only thing I would need to do is revert the ecu back to stock for the smog check that's about it. If you can't find the Helix one go with Titek (Also helix just renamed) They have a combo, check it out. Or wait for others to part, but in your case I would suggest you hurry because it might lead to misfires.

Titek Runs about I would say 600 shipped around there maybe a little bit less than that. $249 for the DP+ $310 including up-pipe.

 

thanks for the added info. i will look into that soon. even though i've only seen the smoke and smelled the oil burning twice, do you still think it is the gasket?

 

Only really one way to find out. Just check it out. Cause if the turbo spins freely it should be fine. Look at the exhaust area the downpipe to see if its coming from there. Stock turbos last very very long even under extreme abuse. Cause if you do more research a lot of the guys here upgrade their up-pipe because in due time the stock up-pipe cat will break into pieces and fly into the turbine destroying the turbo. That's the reason the 06 wrx's don't have a precat in the up-pipes anymore. But for your situation I highly doubt it, but it might be a possibility. Since your saying you have lost in power, is it a great amount of power loss? Or just bogging from time to time?

 

it's bogging out every time i jump on it and that is a lot.

 

Okay but No CEL right.

 

not to be a dumb@ss but what is CEL?

 

Don't even worry bro, I ain't gonna hack on you, just trying to help. CEL=Check Engine Light.

 

Thanks for helping out a DUMB@SS! No CEL.