Here's something all you guys thinking about "going FI" should read:

Nine months ago, I started experiencing an exhaust leak coming from the exhaust manifold area. I don't have the tools nor the patience for such a job, so I decided to take it down to (what was) Performance Motorsports in Long Island for a repair. They originally installed the JWT TT kit, so prefered that they be the ones to fix it. I barely ever hear stories of exhaust manifold gaskets going bad, so I thought this might be due to an install issue--that's why I want them to look at it.

Well, on the way down in a torrential rain storm, I thought it would be a good idea to do $19,000 worth of damage to the Z.

Fast-forward seven months: The bodywork on the Z is complete and it's FINALLY time to go and get that damn gasket fixed. I didn't want to drive the Z to Long Island (in fear of the 1000 degree heat escaping from the exhaust manifold and melting something). I also wasn't in a financial position to get it flatbedded down there...

So, I took it to a local mechanic who specializes in Subarus. He was eager to help. Here's what he found (this is the gasket between the turbo and the exhaust manifold):



I have no idea what happened the OTHER HALF! I'm counting my lucky stars that the turbo didn't consume it. To all those who are considering "going F/I" this is some of the crap you have to deal with. This $6 gasket cost me $500 in labor. You say to yourself, "Well, that won't happen to me, blah blah blah." I'm telling you, something stupid like this WILL happen to you. Expect downtime, expect to pay.

Hope this was informative for you.

 

maybe use high temp sealant, instead? how did it cost $500? just for inspection?

 

I didn't say anything about "inspection." It cost $500 to take the turbo/manifold down and re-install it. A little less than 8 hours.

 

i have seen gaskets go but usually from something not being tightened down originally....


that is for most but not all cases..

 

damn bro, sorry to hear that

 

Hey no problem here! Everything is fine now, I just wanted to point out one of the "unexpecteds" that sometimes come out of the blue!

 

Thanks Cajun - us FI noobs always hear stories about blown motors, turbo failures, etc...but don't usually hear about the little things that happen that cause more trouble than you would think. These kind of threads are helping me decide how (if even) I want to get into the FI scene.

 

Unfortunately there is nothing like a factory setup, more design and thought goes into it, an add on kit will require some maintenance and follow up checks.

 

Pull your turbo/center housing and inspect the exhaust wheel, however more then likely when a gasket like that it blows OUT from pressure, so you probably ended up running it over in the middle of a 4th gear pull lol. Or a gremlin was pretty hungry, and decided to snack on your inlet gasket for lunch

 

Damn! That would be very bad FOD to get in the turbo. I guess when I decide to FI, I should have a Tuner/qualified tech to inspect engine periodically. Thanks for the post.

 

I used to blow gaskets like that all the time, usually what would happen is the bolt would back out and I would backfire between shifts and it would blow it out