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Old 02-20-2019, 02:12 PM   #1
zaggy07
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Post FA20 Bad Valve Stem Seals

I own a 2015 WRX with a turbo back exhaust, cobb intake, killer b after cooler, killer b charge pipe, TGV deletes, EGR deletes, Grimmspeed EBC and Manley connecting rods. Started to notice some smoke while idling back in September after moving back to NY. Brought it to the local tuner and they installed a Perrin oil restrictor. I never had any issues with smoke since the day a bought the car. I've been running Mobil 1 full synthetic for every oil change. I would shoot for every 3-5k on miles depending on the driving/temperature. Changed the oil and started keeping track of oil consumption since the Perrin oil restrictor didn't do a thing. I went from full to 1/4 on the dipstick over 800 miles. I added about a half of quart of oil and noticed it would smoke at idle and take off. I just brought it back to the shop and they removed the turbo and exhaust manifold. The valve stem seals are leaking and they now need to be replaced.

What would cause this issue with only 50k on the car? Is there anything else besides replacing the valve stem seals that should be looked at?
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Old 02-20-2019, 02:32 PM   #2
Schoat333
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This is the first I have heard of bad valve stem seals on an FA20.

Valve stems seals usually fail due to excessive heat. Did you have any issues with EGT's?
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Old 02-20-2019, 03:51 PM   #3
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that much oil missing in 800 miles would mean your valve stem seals are missing, not leaking. As in ALL of them missing.

You have something else going on. Now you COULD have some leaking valve seals, BUT I would strongly recommend 1) a compression test and 2) inspection of the turbo.
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Old 02-20-2019, 04:43 PM   #4
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I’ve heard of leaking seals before, like TiC said though that seems like a lot of oil loss from those alone.
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Old 02-21-2019, 08:12 AM   #5
SirBrass
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I wonder if turbo is burning oil. That is, oil leak into the turbine section?
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Old 02-21-2019, 09:15 AM   #6
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They are going to pull the motor. I will also have them take a look at the turbo. This is the second time this shop has seen valve stem seals go on a FA20.

I only have ~14,000 miles on the rings. The motor work was actually done at TIC.
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Old 02-21-2019, 11:53 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zaggy07 View Post
They are going to pull the motor. I will also have them take a look at the turbo. This is the second time this shop has seen valve stem seals go on a FA20.

I only have ~14,000 miles on the rings. The motor work was actually done at TIC.
Please PM me with your real world name so I can look up the paperwork on your build. Additionally shoot me the name of the shop that's pulling it so I can interface with them on what they find.

-Clint
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Old 03-21-2019, 12:51 PM   #8
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Any status updates?
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Old 05-19-2019, 06:55 PM   #9
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Updates?
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Old 05-22-2019, 12:36 PM   #10
2015wrexx
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same thing happens with my car and im not sure what to do to be completely honest with you
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Old 05-22-2019, 11:19 PM   #11
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also interested on an update to this thread.
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Old 09-15-2019, 02:16 AM   #12
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Any updates on this? I have a 2015 WRX that is showing similar issues.
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Old 11-14-2019, 04:40 PM   #13
chive89
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Any update on this? I think I'm have the same issue.
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Old 11-14-2019, 05:25 PM   #14
bizzlezx10r
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I would throw some of these bad boys on.

https://www.flatironstuning.com/gsc-...t-fa20-fa20dit
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Old 12-03-2019, 09:10 PM   #15
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Similar symptoms on my 2015 with 35k and stage 2+. Perrin restrictor did not fix smoke during idle, throttle blips, and takeoffs. Mine doesn't burn as much oil, but enough that I have to add a quart per oil change.

Always has a minor amount of oil in the top of the charge pipe when I take the intercooler off, which everyone says is normal. The MAP sensor in the top center of the intake manifold had significant oil residue, which is more concerning to me.

I will be doing a compression check and if that doesn't highlight the issue, I'll probably have to remove the turbo and rebuild it unless someone has other items to check first.
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Old 12-03-2019, 10:00 PM   #16
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Like mentioned previously, if you're getting that much smoke, the stem seals would either have to be missing or even popped off. They could also be damaged from excessive extreme temperatures, but before they went you'd think the valve faces or seats would be damaged. I'm also curious if there's some kind of factory defect/quality issue with the seal material or fitment. I've seen stem seals come off on some older vehicles when crappy seals were used and they wouldn't lock properly on the stems, but you wouldn't think that could happen with oem. That's a LOT of oil to lose in 800 miles, even if turns out to be something else. If seals are starting to leak, at idle you wouldn't even notice smoke. Once they are really worn, they still usually only make visual smoke at first start, and the smoke burns off. If the seals are actually the culprit, they have major damage or came off the stem.

Looking forward to what they come up with. Good luck, hopefully it's actually a seal problem. Way less invasive than block work, at least while the heads are off the block.
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Old 12-04-2019, 02:22 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by option5 View Post
Similar symptoms on my 2015 with 35k and stage 2+. Perrin restrictor did not fix smoke during idle, throttle blips, and takeoffs. Mine doesn't burn as much oil, but enough that I have to add a quart per oil change.

Always has a minor amount of oil in the top of the charge pipe when I take the intercooler off, which everyone says is normal. The MAP sensor in the top center of the intake manifold had significant oil residue, which is more concerning to me.

I will be doing a compression check and if that doesn't highlight the issue, I'll probably have to remove the turbo and rebuild it unless someone has other items to check first.
Let us know what you find.
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Old 12-04-2019, 02:25 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2slofouru View Post
Like mentioned previously, if you're getting that much smoke, the stem seals would either have to be missing or even popped off. They could also be damaged from excessive extreme temperatures, but before they went you'd think the valve faces or seats would be damaged. I'm also curious if there's some kind of factory defect/quality issue with the seal material or fitment. I've seen stem seals come off on some older vehicles when crappy seals were used and they wouldn't lock properly on the stems, but you wouldn't think that could happen with oem. That's a LOT of oil to lose in 800 miles, even if turns out to be something else. If seals are starting to leak, at idle you wouldn't even notice smoke. Once they are really worn, they still usually only make visual smoke at first start, and the smoke burns off. If the seals are actually the culprit, they have major damage or came off the stem.

Looking forward to what they come up with. Good luck, hopefully it's actually a seal problem. Way less invasive than block work, at least while the heads are off the block.
Unfortunately most of the people I've seen complain about similar issues usually have a melted piston...
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Old 12-04-2019, 02:47 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by option5 View Post
Similar symptoms on my 2015 with 35k and stage 2+. Perrin restrictor did not fix smoke during idle, throttle blips, and takeoffs. Mine doesn't burn as much oil, but enough that I have to add a quart per oil change.
Same here but 17' WRX Stage 3 and 80k. Perrin sump restrictor didnt do anything. Maybe running a slightly thicker oil would help?

My car burned more oil and smoked more when it was really hot out. Now that its cold I'm hardly having either of these problems. That's why I'm thinking its related to oil viscosity. Currently running motul xclean 5w30 efe
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Old 03-04-2020, 07:08 PM   #20
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Still haven't found anything conclusive, but I did do a compression check and all cylinders were within a pound or two of each other. I tested with the engine warm and cold, but both results had the same PSI, which was 155. I spoke to one tuner who said those numbers are fine, but I thought I read somewhere that 190 was spec. Does anybody know what PSI they should be at?

With the sensor on top of the intake manifold collecting oil residue, I've been leaning more towards the turbo seals, but there is zero residue inside the intercooler and I would expect there to be. Has anybody used the tomei turbo rebuild kit from Subispeed yet?
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Old 03-04-2020, 07:26 PM   #21
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An update from the OP seems in order.
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Old 03-06-2020, 09:32 AM   #22
chive89
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I had a similar issue. The car will smoke on start up. Did a engine rebuild and found that the exhaust valve seals were not on properly. No smoke for 3 days now, I'm still breaking in the engine.

I also what to rebuild the stock turbo. Is there an rebuild kit for it?
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Old 07-20-2020, 09:00 AM   #23
Omega_793
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I had a similar issue. The car was smoke on start up and on idle. Oil consumption was 1 quart per 2000 miles.
After disassembling the engine, it turned out that the valve stem seals on the exhaust valves fell off the guides (6 of 8 valve stem seals). The valve stem seals are not worn out (they are completely intact). It looks like it were not fully dressed at the factory during assembly.

Subaru Forester 2015 XT (FA20DIT), mileage 40k miles (65000km)
My config: INVIDIA Catback exhaust, Killer-B Jpipe, Nameless Bypass, 3-port turbo solenoid, Perrin turbo restrictor, CNT Intercooler, Mishimoto ChargePipe, AccessPort tuned by professional tuner. Peak boost 1.2 bar.

Last edited by Omega_793; 07-20-2020 at 09:08 AM.
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Old 07-20-2020, 09:49 AM   #24
benflynn
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I had one lonely intake valve seal fall off or not get installed correctly on the ej I rebuilt not too long ago. Smoked so much, been putting off pulling it back out
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Old 09-24-2020, 01:17 AM   #25
KIRKOY
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Got a oil leak on my header gasket on the passenger side, do you guys think it's a valve seal issues? guys know how much is it to fox it? just got the car like a month ago 2015 w/ 54k miles
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