STS turbo problems...FML!!!

1_Stealth_Z · 12-31-2013, 08:53 AM

Ok so on the 16th of this month went to lunch the car was driving fine. After I leave the restaurant the car was running with ZERO boost. So I go to a local shop and have them look for the boost leak, they find an exhaust gasket has blown out and that's what the tech blames the leak on. Since I was going to drive through Atlanta the following day so I was going to go to Z1 and get the gasket replaced. I get the car back and start driving home, at this point I realize something is going wrong because when its supposed to start making boost it sounds like a whining or squealing noise. By the time I get to my neighborhood I look in my rearview and a whole bunch of smoke is coming out whenever I accelerate, then an audible tone comes out of the car which Ive never heard before. I finally get to the driveway and just turn the car off and walk out of it, my entire rear bumper is covered in oil and its pouring out of the exhaust tip and the pressure switch on the turbo oil pump.

So I get it towed back to the shop who claims that the pressure switch cracked and I get them in contact with STS to get the issue fixed. 2 weeks and 1200 dollars later I get the car back and it still makes the noise like a damn space ship coming out of my car with no boost, but no oil leak. They replaced the gasket on the test pipe already so I know that what the tech thought was the problem wasn't it. Oh and they said the muffler tip "fell off" during a test drive and got ran over by some truck...

My question overall is what do you guys think? I never had the turbo make this noise till they got their hands on it, and after replacing all this stuff why would they give it back with no boost being made still?

COSMO · 12-31-2013, 09:16 AM

My guess, Turbo Seal...

Chuck33079 · 12-31-2013, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmogirl

My guess, Turbo Seal...

This for the oil, and toasted bearings for the noise. Are those turbos rebuildable?

RyanWest · 12-31-2013, 11:34 AM

Sounds like the turbo! take it off and take a look at it

luigi90210 · 12-31-2013, 03:09 PM

check for shaft play with the turbo, if there is any you are gonna need to rebuild that turbo or replace it, id recommend replacing, there are some cases where a blown turbo scratched up the housing so much that its unusable

good luck OP

Chuck33079 · 12-31-2013, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luigi90210

check for shaft play with the turbo, if there is any you are gonna need to rebuild that turbo or replace it, id recommend replacing, there are some cases where a blown turbo scratched up the housing so much that its unusable

good luck OP

Or, even worse, the fins break off and are blown into the motor. I wouldn't drive it another foot until you get it under control.

Nixlimited · 12-31-2013, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

Or, even worse, the fins break off and are blown into the motor. I wouldn't drive it another foot until you get it under control.

Agreed. At least with the turbo so far from the intakes, the chances of debris getting back to the motor are lessened.

tower74 · 12-31-2013, 04:06 PM

Well for starters, I would rip that system out of my car and call it a day. I'm saying that because I was one of the first with that system on a 370z. Mine is currently collecting even more rust in a box ($10k box of shyt

)

Now as far as your problems with no boost. Well that could be several things due to the massive amounts of piping that system uses.

1. When was the last time you changed the oil. The piping around the filter is very tight and you have to remove the piping to get the filter off. I have personally had issues with it not getting put back together properly and blowing the two apart.

2. Check the connections to intercooler on both sides. The connection points are hidden and do like to come apart as well.

3. Check your piping seals under the car. I had mine replaced with proper V-clamps and it solved all my boost leak problems. The clamps they provide are garbage.

4. With this system you really have to check you oil/change it often. Due to the fact it has to travel so far and you are leaving a ton of old oil in the system constantly. If you go to long you will "pop" the timing solenoid and the car will sputter and sound like it's going sound, well just horrible. The car will not run worth a crap (you will be lucky if you get over 25mph). Also shoots out white smoke.

5. Very important as well. Check your filter. With it being exposed, it will get dirty quick. I actually almost imploded mine due to it being dirty.

I hope these suggest help. I have a ton of experience with this system an just about every problem you could possible have with this system. From it burning up cats to boost leaks. Honestly their hose clamps and boots suck.

1_Stealth_Z · 12-31-2013, 07:04 PM

Its not the piping or the filter that has all been gone through with a fine tooth comb and also the oil was just change about 10 days ago at the shop that currently has it. They are working hand in hand with STS and trying to figure out the problem...my guess is it is the turbo after speaking with STS and Z1 (they installed it). Soooo now im just waiting on the shop that has it to open back up after new years and see what they got from STS. So wish me luck....ive have pretty good luck with it up until now and its been on my car for almost 6 months. But I will keep this informed as I get any news. Thanks for the help

Chuck33079 · 12-31-2013, 07:05 PM

It's the center cartridge of the turbo. The oiling issues killed it. I'd put money on it.

Boost_lee · 12-31-2013, 08:10 PM

^^^ I'm going to agree with Chuck and guess it was an oil feed or oil drain issue that caused the center section damage. Does STS use journal bearing turbos?

tower74 · 12-31-2013, 08:55 PM

If I had the kit in front of me I would show you a photo of the inside of my turbo. It would appear that something, probably a huge chunk of rust, damaged the blades inside the turbo as well. The turbo itself is still in good shape but I'm sure if I would keep the kit on there any longer I would of had the same issues. Mine lasted for about 15k miles. Good luck and I'm really amazed STS is still making the kit for this car.

tower74 · 12-31-2013, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boost_lee

^^^ I'm going to agree with Chuck and guess it was an oil feed or oil drain issue that caused the center section damage. Does STS use journal bearing turbos?

It's an extra just like most companies.

tower74 · 12-31-2013, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

It's the center cartridge of the turbo. The oiling issues killed it. I'd put money on it.

It does have to pump the oil a long way.

1_Stealth_Z · 01-12-2014, 10:38 AM

Well I finally got it all figured out...it was a series of events. First the oil pressure switch failed causing the oil pump to fail in turn causing the turbo to run dry and not lock up but there is considerable resistance in the fins. So about 3K later I have a new STS Turbo, new oil pump and oil pressure switch. She is back to running like a champ and I guess its pretty much a new turbo kit again. So I shouldn't have any problems out of this kit for a long time. Thanks for all the help and advice!

12-31-2013, 08:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
1_Stealth_Z Base Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Savannah GA Posts: 117 Drives: 09 PG 370Z 6MT Rep Power: 14	STS turbo problems...FML!!! Ok so on the 16th of this month went to lunch the car was driving fine. After I leave the restaurant the car was running with ZERO boost. So I go to a local shop and have them look for the boost leak, they find an exhaust gasket has blown out and that's what the tech blames the leak on. Since I was going to drive through Atlanta the following day so I was going to go to Z1 and get the gasket replaced. I get the car back and start driving home, at this point I realize something is going wrong because when its supposed to start making boost it sounds like a whining or squealing noise. By the time I get to my neighborhood I look in my rearview and a whole bunch of smoke is coming out whenever I accelerate, then an audible tone comes out of the car which Ive never heard before. I finally get to the driveway and just turn the car off and walk out of it, my entire rear bumper is covered in oil and its pouring out of the exhaust tip and the pressure switch on the turbo oil pump. So I get it towed back to the shop who claims that the pressure switch cracked and I get them in contact with STS to get the issue fixed. 2 weeks and 1200 dollars later I get the car back and it still makes the noise like a damn space ship coming out of my car with no boost, but no oil leak. They replaced the gasket on the test pipe already so I know that what the tech thought was the problem wasn't it. Oh and they said the muffler tip "fell off" during a test drive and got ran over by some truck... My question overall is what do you guys think? I never had the turbo make this noise till they got their hands on it, and after replacing all this stuff why would they give it back with no boost being made still? __________________ STS Turbo \|Turbo Smart \| Z1 34 row \| StopTech \| Hawk \| Walbro \| Avant Garde M310 \| Z1 Test Pipes \| Swift Spec-R \| Kenwood Excelon \| JL \| VIS \|PLASTI-DIP \| Oracle

12-31-2013, 03:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
luigi90210 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 1,103 Drives: Classified Rep Power: 16	check for shaft play with the turbo, if there is any you are gonna need to rebuild that turbo or replace it, id recommend replacing, there are some cases where a blown turbo scratched up the housing so much that its unusable good luck OP __________________ SOLD 370z New Car:classified DD:2011 Mini Cooper S stock

12-31-2013, 04:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
tower74 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: KCMO Posts: 1,597 Drives: 2017 ZL1 Camaro Rep Power: 370	Well for starters, I would rip that system out of my car and call it a day. I'm saying that because I was one of the first with that system on a 370z. Mine is currently collecting even more rust in a box ($10k box of shyt) Now as far as your problems with no boost. Well that could be several things due to the massive amounts of piping that system uses. 1. When was the last time you changed the oil. The piping around the filter is very tight and you have to remove the piping to get the filter off. I have personally had issues with it not getting put back together properly and blowing the two apart. 2. Check the connections to intercooler on both sides. The connection points are hidden and do like to come apart as well. 3. Check your piping seals under the car. I had mine replaced with proper V-clamps and it solved all my boost leak problems. The clamps they provide are garbage. 4. With this system you really have to check you oil/change it often. Due to the fact it has to travel so far and you are leaving a ton of old oil in the system constantly. If you go to long you will "pop" the timing solenoid and the car will sputter and sound like it's going sound, well just horrible. The car will not run worth a crap (you will be lucky if you get over 25mph). Also shoots out white smoke. 5. Very important as well. Check your filter. With it being exposed, it will get dirty quick. I actually almost imploded mine due to it being dirty. I hope these suggest help. I have a ton of experience with this system an just about every problem you could possible have with this system. From it burning up cats to boost leaks. Honestly their hose clamps and boots suck. gbrettin, elperuano, Chuck33079 and 2 others like this. Last edited by tower74; 12-31-2013 at 05:25 PM.

12-31-2013, 07:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
1_Stealth_Z Base Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Savannah GA Posts: 117 Drives: 09 PG 370Z 6MT Rep Power: 14	Its not the piping or the filter that has all been gone through with a fine tooth comb and also the oil was just change about 10 days ago at the shop that currently has it. They are working hand in hand with STS and trying to figure out the problem...my guess is it is the turbo after speaking with STS and Z1 (they installed it). Soooo now im just waiting on the shop that has it to open back up after new years and see what they got from STS. So wish me luck....ive have pretty good luck with it up until now and its been on my car for almost 6 months. But I will keep this informed as I get any news. Thanks for the help __________________ STS Turbo \|Turbo Smart \| Z1 34 row \| StopTech \| Hawk \| Walbro \| Avant Garde M310 \| Z1 Test Pipes \| Swift Spec-R \| Kenwood Excelon \| JL \| VIS \|PLASTI-DIP \| Oracle

12-31-2013, 07:05 PM	#10 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29539	It's the center cartridge of the turbo. The oiling issues killed it. I'd put money on it. tower74, DEpointfive0, luigi90210 and 1 others like this. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

12-31-2013, 09:16 AM	#2 (permalink)
COSMO A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: FL Posts: 1,816 Drives: 2012 Touring GTM TT Rep Power: 20	My guess, Turbo Seal...

12-31-2013, 11:34 AM	#4 (permalink)
RyanWest Track Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tamp, Fl Posts: 714 Drives: 2009 Nissan Rep Power: 34	Sounds like the turbo! take it off and take a look at it

12-31-2013, 08:10 PM	#11 (permalink)
Boost_lee A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SATX Posts: 2,813 Drives: 09 370Z TT 6MT Rep Power: 30	^^^ I'm going to agree with Chuck and guess it was an oil feed or oil drain issue that caused the center section damage. Does STS use journal bearing turbos? __________________ My TT Z

12-31-2013, 08:55 PM	#12 (permalink)
tower74 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: KCMO Posts: 1,597 Drives: 2017 ZL1 Camaro Rep Power: 370	If I had the kit in front of me I would show you a photo of the inside of my turbo. It would appear that something, probably a huge chunk of rust, damaged the blades inside the turbo as well. The turbo itself is still in good shape but I'm sure if I would keep the kit on there any longer I would of had the same issues. Mine lasted for about 15k miles. Good luck and I'm really amazed STS is still making the kit for this car.

01-12-2014, 10:38 AM	#15 (permalink)
1_Stealth_Z Base Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Savannah GA Posts: 117 Drives: 09 PG 370Z 6MT Rep Power: 14	Well I finally got it all figured out...it was a series of events. First the oil pressure switch failed causing the oil pump to fail in turn causing the turbo to run dry and not lock up but there is considerable resistance in the fins. So about 3K later I have a new STS Turbo, new oil pump and oil pressure switch. She is back to running like a champ and I guess its pretty much a new turbo kit again. So I shouldn't have any problems out of this kit for a long time. Thanks for all the help and advice! Mkai0 likes this. __________________ STS Turbo \|Turbo Smart \| Z1 34 row \| StopTech \| Hawk \| Walbro \| Avant Garde M310 \| Z1 Test Pipes \| Swift Spec-R \| Kenwood Excelon \| JL \| VIS \|PLASTI-DIP \| Oracle

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