HELP! Banjo Bolt Wild Goose Chase?

[Bimmer]

Hi Guys,

Yes, I've read the threads on this and studied the photos (mostly on LGT.com, where I also pleaded for help).

I'm trying to get at the banjo bolt in my 2008 Outback XT.


I can't find the bolt in the spot where everybody finds it.

Instead of a banjo bolt, I found a brass fitting held on by two 10mm screws.

I've taken a photo to show what I mean.

I took it using a mirror, so it's upside down...




My questions:

Am I totally lost? Am I looking in the wrong spot?

Is it possible that my '08 doesn't have a banjo bolt?

Should I remove that brass fitting and look for a filter in there?!


Please please please advise,

Bimmer

[Seabass]

It shouldn't look like that. The filter is in the bolt itself. But I don't know anything about the 08.

Have you tried following the turbo oil line back to the bolt? It is in that line.

[Bimmer]

OK. I figured it out. Thanks to M Scramp over on LGT.com...

On the later (2007+) engines it's on top of the block, under the turbo/inlet junction.

I can see it, barely, but it's totally inaccessible without removing the turbo and/or intake manifold (if anybody has some trick to doing this, I'd be glad to hear it).

There doesn't seem to be any realistic expectation that this is going to be regularly "serviced."

So, I'm leaving it alone...

Bimmer

[Seabass]

Not regularly serviced, but checked to make sure it isn't clogging. Subaru only specifies to check it after there are repeated turbo failures. It is good piece of mind to know it is clean and the turbo will remain healthy. If you are still under warranty, then you are good with regular oil changes. If it causes a failure it is covered. I wouldn't worry until your warranty runs out, then you can remove the filter in the bolt. If you got a turbo failure for some reason with the filter removed, they would probably not cover it.

If you are going to leave the filter alone, I'd definitely stick to the 3750 mile OCI.

[Bimmer]

Originally Posted by Seabass

Not regularly serviced, but checked to make sure it isn't clogging. Subaru only specifies to check it after there are repeated turbo failures.

Thanks, Seabass... Just to be clear, Subaru says to check it after ANY turbo failure, apparently to prevent immediate repeated failure.

Originally Posted by Seabass

It is good piece of mind to know it is clean and the turbo will remain healthy. If you are still under warranty, then you are good with regular oil changes. If it causes a failure it is covered.

Yes, it WOULD be good peace of mind... It just drives me nuts that there's no easy way to check this thing BEFORE it kills the turbo.

This seems like specifying check-ups only for patients who have already died...

Bimmer

[plain OM]

This seems like specifying check-ups only for patients who have already died...

Yes, a more easily accessed banjo filter, for inspection or routine replacement, would seem to make sense.

However, the TSB (attached) is oriented to warranty coverage of failed turbos. Checking the banjo filter is, on the one hand, intended to prevent a subsequent failure and repeat warranty claim, but on the other hand it might also indicate if proper routine maintenance had been done.

Subaru can't specify the use of a particular brand of oil, nor the use of its oil filters only, so the wording in the TSB in regard to these is somewhat vague. But my reading of it is that poor quality oil, or a filter that doesn't work the same as the "tested" Subaru brand, could cause the banjo filter to become blocked. (The by-pass valve opening pressure stands out in this regard.) While it's not saying that this would be grounds for refusing warranty coverage, it does suggest to me that a careful review of maintenance records by the dealer is warranted. At the least, the intent would be to advise the owner for future maintenance and warranty purposes.