Sick Scooby, help please!

[Hrimfaxi]

Driving happily along today, all was fine until..

CEL comes on, car sounds and feels like it's running on 3 cylinders and to top it off - there's smoke from behind the turbo Turbo knackered?

I wasn't pushing on either, this happened in town traffic of Westerham - had to limp back to Beckenham, which I hope hasn't done any further damage! I'll also add that I never rag the car, bit of boost every now and then, but always treat it with respect.

It's recently had a plugs/filter/oil service.

I've been aware of a few little niggles it's had and maybe they're related? Upon starting the engine, it would sometimes run lumpy, until I pull away and then all would be fine. I've always put that down to a MAF issue.

Last week, it did seem to hiccup and misfire - that disappeared however.

Any comments welcome!

EDIT - The car is an '02 WRX.

Edited by Hrimfaxi on Saturday 1st April 15:40

[vxr2010]

what is the cel showing ? it could be some thing as simple as a cam or crank sensor , code readers are very cheap on ebay around 15 to 20£ for a basic one

[Hrimfaxi]

Thanks for the reply - don't know the CEL code yet, and yeah was looking at readers - think I need to get hold of one.

It's more the fact this has occurred as well as the smoke behind the turbo that's concerned me - could it coincidence that two problems appeared at once? Or could that be connected? Not sure how though, if it is a sensor issue.

[R12many]

I have the same problems as you but on an 06 Forester XT. I have a P0304 missfire cylinder 4 code so swapped the coil packs but that didn't help. Next up is a compression test of cylinder 4 but my suspicion is that it's ringland failure that the 2.5s are famous for. If it is then I'll sell it on for spares or repairs. Truelly the most unreliable car I have ever owned in 30 years!

[TEKNOPUG]

Hrimfaxi said:

Thanks for the reply - don't know the CEL code yet, and yeah was looking at readers - think I need to get hold of one.

It's more the fact this has occurred as well as the smoke behind the turbo that's concerned me - could it coincidence that two problems appeared at once? Or could that be connected? Not sure how though, if it is a sensor issue.

Cam cover gaskets failed, leaking oil onto exhaust (smoke behind turbo) fouling plugs, damaging coil, O2 sensor etc.

[TEKNOPUG]

R12many said:

I have the same problems as you but on an 06 Forester XT. I have a P0304 missfire cylinder 4 code so swapped the coil packs but that didn't help. Next up is a compression test of cylinder 4 but my suspicion is that it's ringland failure that the 2.5s are famous for. If it is then I'll sell it on for spares or repairs. Truelly the most unreliable car I have ever owned in 30 years!

On the other hand, I have a 2.0 02 Impreza and it's now on 172k. Truly the most reliable car I have ever owned. (2.5s are known to be lemons though).

[R12many]

My 98 Impreza Turbo rolled on for years with little more than a new radiator and ABS sensor. The Forester is not as well built or engineered with serious problems in the very first week we had it resulting in a new ABS pump, wiring loom and fuse box followed by new shocks, exhaust, 3 headlight ballasts, 2 new headlights, 2 secondary air pumps, 2 secondary air valves, window motor, caliper mount, MAF sensor and so on. Not to mention the sunroof drains blocking up and dowsing me with the accumulated water when driving down my steepish driveway. Apart from the engine issues, the front brakes are seizing and need rebuilding and there's a grinding noise possibly from the gearbox! It's great when it works but that's not usually for long. Has put me off Subaru for life!