20007WRX4ME88

Hey all,
I need some help on this subject. I've searched around on these forums and haven't really found a straight answer so I figured I would ask. I get a small amount of blue smoke coming out of the tailpipe when at WOT, as I've been told, and have a few drips of oil coming out of the turbo compressor outlet when taking the intercooler off to check for leaks. How much oil blow-by should a 2005 STi have at the turbo? My car has 31K miles on it. I'm not too worried, as the car seems to boost fine, no odd noises yet, boosts to about 14 psi in 3rd or 4th gears. I know that I might have to take off the turbo inlet tube to check the compressor blades for a film of oil to tell for sure, but could it also be excessive blow-by from the PCV? I don't really know how far back blow-by from the PCV goes in the intake tract on the STi's. I have been told to invest in an oil catch can though but don't know if it's worth it. Also, no smoke comes out at cold start up except when driven hard before cooled down and parked, for say the next morning or after a few hours. I've read that some oil burning is normal but from where? Thanks in advance for your input.

20007WRX4ME88

Just bought a GReddy oil catch can from a friend and going to install it to see if it helps. Hopefully I can find something to mount the tank with, or I might have to buy the bracket from MachV Motorsports. I only found one site with instructions on where and how to mount it, but it's pictures do not show up. I am talking about the post on scoobymods that was posted a long time ago in 2003 i think

03_Impreza_Al

iTrader: (46)

Get a leak down and see how your cylinders are doing.

20007WRX4ME88

Thanks for the reply, I will try to get it done at my work, but I should be OK since I am not even losing a quart in 1,000 miles like some say is normal. I did get the catch can today and am going to install it tomorrow, along with thorough cleaning of the inside of the intercooler and hoses so that I can see if it really helps.

20007WRX4ME88

Oh and BTW, I did swab the inside of the compressor housing and it came out dry, so I don't think the oil seal(s) are leaking.

20007WRX4ME88

Installed the catch can on the valve cover breather lines only, for now, and see how it does. Will connect the PCV breather to the can later on when I get the time. Update from my friend, talked to him tonight and he said that I just have a puff of blue smoke when shifting at the dragstrip when he was watching me run.

20007WRX4ME88

Okay, I've had the GReddy oil catch can on for about 3 weeks now. I took off the intercooler today and found a very small amount of oil, only at the outlet of the intercooler, so I know the catch can is doing its job. I can actually tell a difference, I guess it's because the intercooler has a better amount of thermal efficiency. I will post pics of my install soon. I've yet to get a leak down test, mainly because I don't think the rings are having issues, runs strong, and the car has low mileage(32,000 miles). I did however find there to not be any oil in the outlet of the turbo compressor housing, so I am happy that my turbo seems to still be in good shape and that it wasnt the seal(s).