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VF39 Wastegate Crack

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35K views 32 replies 20 participants last post by  CTSparky  
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#1 ·
Afternoon everybody. Well to make a long story short, today was the big day that I was removing my turbo to get the waste gate ported. However to my surprise upon a relatively easy removal I came across this relatively decent size crack off my turbo waste gate. Upset, and frustrated I did a few searches on various forums, and came to find that cracks around the waste gate are rather common on VF39's. I am relatively new to Subarus considering I just got my 04 STi about 2-3 weeks ago which I purchased a 4 year warranty along with it. So my questions are should I be concerned with my crack, I think it is a little to big for the frequent hairline ones I've heard so much about. Also I am very good friends with a my local Subaru Parts Manager so should I go through the trouble of trying to receive a new one from them, and just get that one ported. Below are a few pics where u can see the severity of the one big crack I also have a smaller one underneath the flapper that I don't think I should be concerned of. I am trying to stick with the VF39 for warranty purposes. This is why big turbo kit is not an option as well as the fact that I'm broke :lol:. BTW I just wanted to say that this is one of the best forums I've ever belonged to, and after I am all said and done with this little project I will try to provide a tutorial for removing and installing the VF39. Looking forward to hearing from you guys. Thanks....PS I have not felt a decrease in performance... and turbo has no shaft play what so ever.

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#6 ·
The crack is part of the break in process on a new STI.:)


The only real indication of an issue with the crack is not being able to maintain boost and it gets progressively worse as the crack gets bigger. However it has to be a really bad crack for this to happen and I haven't heard of too many cases where this was an issue. A hairline crack won't ever be noticed. The crack comes from differential thermal expansion along with the irregular shape of the housing.
 
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#7 ·
My 05 VF39 cracked the EXACT same way in the EXACT same spot.

Subaru replaced the turbo free of charge. :)

The ECU threw a check engine code for the wastegate valve malfunctioning... I can't remember the code exactly.

The turbo and wastegate did sound a little different after the crack and I know I was leaking some boost.
 
#21 ·
Wow, sorry to hear about that man. VF43 FTW!! lol..

But, I'd just keep making Subaru replace them when they crack and you get the benefit of lots-o-turbos! Than just sell em all and make some money.:tup:

-shamy.
 
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#29 ·
yea i was about to say i just got my vf43 pnp and ceramic coated and i noticed a crack...did a bit of research to see if it would be a problem before i ship it off to grimmspeed but to my knowledge based on forums and grimmspeed it should not be an issue....just reinstalled the turbo last night im not peaking at full boost and i have identified two possibl sources for me 12.2psi peak LOLLLLL....doubt its the wastegate crack
 
#32 ·
Any updates on this? My current turbo is dying so I bought a used one with a crack (to get my by for a little until I can get some funds) and I just want to make sure that It's not going to ruin the motor. It'll basically be used as a "point A to point B" car with a good amount of freeway driving for the next little while.

From what I gather, it's ok. I may just have a boost leak and may not be able to hit peak boost.
 
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