[snorky]

Anyone considered, has been told to, or has removed the Turbo Oil Supply Banjo Bolt Filter Screen? I first heard about this about a week ago. I'm not panicking or anything, I just thought we could start a discussion on the subject since I couldn't find one here. Maybe some of the big guys could chime in.

It seems it can affect STIs"used under severe driving conditions, such as moderate to hard acceleration and engine braking on a somewhat regular basis", (that's 99.99% of members here i'm sure) according to the Subaru Service Bulletins. Doesn't that statement basically describe a track day? According to their website, Forced Performance has found evidence that it's especially prevalent with aftermarket turbos causing oil starvation issues.

Page on Forced Performance where I first read about it: Forced Performance

I couldn't find the actual full service bulletin available without paying. Anyone have access to it off the Subaru Tech Site?: Literature/Bulletin # Search

Thread on NASTYICK, Not much info here, a guy posted that he asked a tech and the tech said remove it. Also there supposedly was a Baja in Alabama that had the oil changed religiously at 3k miles thats turbo died because of it. Sounds like the making of a wives tale... "My uncle's niece-in-law's next door neighbor's Baja..." Potential Subaru Turbo Oil Starvation Issues - Warranty Issues & SOA Problems - NASIOC

My thoughts on removing it are that it's pretty much a damned if you do, damned if you don't. Either way there is a potential for turbo damage.

If the particle is big enough to get caught by the filter, it has the potential to prevent or impede the flow of oil to the turbo and therefore damage the bearings due to starvation.

I could see the smaller particles that make it past the screen having the potential to do damage the bearings also. More than likely over time but still.

Without the screen, is it possible that the same particle that got caught in the screen would make it through the turbo without event? My knowledge of the inner workings of a turbo are limited to pictures, schematics, formulas, and words but this seems possible even though the oil passages in the turbo appear to be smaller than the inlet and outlet. The obvious danger would be the particle getting stuck in the bearing. I've read both of Corky Bell's (Maximum Boost and Supercharged) books several times (I'm a car dork, the girls I work with tell me.) so i'm not completely clueless. I haven't seen any pictures of the actual filter so it's filter mesh size, etc are unknown to me.

If this is a possibility, I may remove my filter even though i'm on the stock turbo.

Thoughts?

[WolfPlayer]

My thoughts: Change/Clean it on a normal basis.

The problem: People won't do it.

The solution: Remove the filter.

What I do: Change/Clean it on a normal basis.

t

[snorky]

how often do you clean yours? How dirty is it when you do? Do you replace the brass banjo washers every time?

[La Mer]

Is there a 'how-to' on this yet?

[snorky]

i would do one if i am reasonably convinced that it's necessary.

[FlyinbySTi]

I heard in the later 05's the removed the screen from subaru. The 04 and olders had the screen in there. Can someone confirm that for sure. I know Wolf said he cleans his regularly.

[berdugo]

Originally Posted by snorky

i would do one if i am reasonably convinced that it's necessary.

Do it man, so we know how to do it.

[sirwilliam]

Seems it is for all '04 2.5L Turbo engines. I know they definitely had them in '04s for the forester XTs. I immediately removed mine (almost 2 years ago) and noticed a difference for idle right away. Real easy to do, too. I am sure they are not in the newer models so I don't have to worry about it in my '08

Here is the good info from my buddy Peaty at Scoobymods: LINKY

[toogood]

bump....i'm very interested in this...as well as surprised...a "how-to" would be much appreciated

[fullerton]

Originally Posted by FlyinbySTi

I heard in the later 05's the removed the screen from subaru. The 04 and olders had the screen in there. Can someone confirm that for sure. I know Wolf said he cleans his regularly.

that's the AVCS filter. This one is a different filter.