Oil pump pick up tube warning!!!

[DMC7492]

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27533
Here is a picture of my oil tube, I'm cleaning it up while waiting for the engine overhaul, at several thousand for a freshen up a new pick up tube for $175 is cheap. See the notorious crack about half inch from the mount.
Get a new one from Wayne AJW Rallysport or Somerset Subaru.
See NASIOC for many documented failures! Especially if you plan on running it hard on the track, mine was a 2005 EJ205 with 97,000 and ran very well past 7000 RPM.
Don't be sorry get one if you have your engine out!!! Don

[DMC7492]

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1553337&highlight=oil+tube+failure
Here is one of the many documented lists of tube failures! SCAREY!

[billjr212]

I'm just getting into my reading on this issue, but seems the actual rate of failure is very low and there is some question if they are (directly or indirectly) caused by people jacking up the car using the oil pan at some point in the car's history. As a result, it seems that simply swapping out the existing pickup for a new $25 OEM one would be solid insurance. Thoughts on this?

[flynntuna]

If your replacing, go with the killer bee upgrade it's one of those "might as well" items. It will give you peace of mind.

[FFRSpec72]

I'm just getting into my reading on this issue, but seems the actual rate of failure is very low and there is some question if they are (directly or indirectly) caused by people jacking up the car using the oil pan at some point in the car's history. As a result, it seems that simply swapping out the existing pickup for a new $25 OEM one would be solid insurance. Thoughts on this?

A friend of mine just had it happen in his 2007 STi with about 100k, the car has only been serviced by the dealer so using the pan did no happen, this is caused by a flaw in creating the pickup, replacing with like is not an option in my book.

[metalmaker12]

I'm just getting into my reading on this issue, but seems the actual rate of failure is very low and there is some question if they are (directly or indirectly) caused by people jacking up the car using the oil pan at some point in the car's history. As a result, it seems that simply swapping out the existing pickup for a new $25 OEM one would be solid insurance. Thoughts on this?

I worked as a subie tech some years back and I would not put jacking up the car on the pan as a possible cause, but anything can happen. The subie unit is brazed together and weak, the killer bee unit is the way to go.

[billjr212]

i get that people are concerned about failure, but has anybody seen a failure with less than say 90,000 miles (just throwing out a random number that is unlikely to be seen by many 818's). The $150 spread is not a ton, I agree, but if every "might as well" $150 item is done, they add up in a hurry as everyone here is aware.

From an insurance perspective, if the better pickup costs $150 more and decreases chance of failure over a lifetime of driving by 2% (the full rate of failure as suggested on NASIOC), failure would have to cost at least $7,500 to make the cost worthwhile. (50 times $150 cost - yes, I'm distorting and oversimplifying how insurance is actually calculated).

[billjr212]

I don't want anybody to think I'm disregarding advice. I really appreciate all the opinions and expertise on here. Just want to be certain we have thought this all the way through.

[FFRSpec72]

I don't want anybody to think I'm disregarding advice. I really appreciate all the opinions and expertise on here. Just want to be certain we have thought this all the way through.

You can do what you want, I have seen this failure first hand and thus now have a Killer B pickup and baffle with a STi pan. This is not your typical 302 where parts and block are cheap

[tmoretta]

Moroso also makes a replacement oil pickup upgrade. It is cheaper than the Killer B, but does require the STI oil pan.

[Westview]

Rebuilding one of these engines after a bearing failure is a lot more expensive than I would have ever thought. Ask me how I know. Just consider that metal in the oil goes through the turbo bearing. The oil cooler has to be replaced because there is no way to clean the metal out of it...and the hit just keep on coming. $150 is very cheap insurance in my opinion.

[Wayne Presley]

I sell the Killer B pick up, windage tray, pans and the STI pans.

Here's an upgrade any WRX can benefit from, especially the 2.0 cars.

OEM STI pan with Killer B pick up and windage tray. $380 + shipping

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc175/vcpinjectionpb/P1020645_zps0672bbf8.jpg (http://s213.photobucket.com/user/vcpinjectionpb/media/P1020645_zps0672bbf8.jpg.html)

Or the ultimate the Killer B pan, pick up and windage tray. $667 + shipping

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc175/vcpinjectionpb/P1020647_zps1f880e3a.jpg (http://s213.photobucket.com/user/vcpinjectionpb/media/P1020647_zps1f880e3a.jpg.html)

[wleehendrick]

I sell the Killer B pick up, windage tray, pans and the STI pans.

Hi Wayne,

Since I have a EJ255 (06 WRX) I don't need the STI pan, right? The KB pick-up and windage tray will fit? What's the price on that?

Thanks,

Lee

[metalmaker12]

I don't want anybody to think I'm disregarding advice. I really appreciate all the opinions and expertise on here. Just want to be certain we have thought this all the way through.

I here ya on wanting to make sure, and yes I have seen failure on the oem pickups prior to 90,000 miles. I owned a pristine 06 Sti and it had only 43,000 miles on it. It was babied and driven easy 90% of the time. One day I was driving it and noticed what sounded like a low oil or rod knock or bearing noise. Well after checking oil pressure ( which was low) and dropping pan and looking over the crank and rods I noticed the pickup had a crack on it and was the reason for very short term oil starvation. I got lucky cause it was only for a very short time and I put in a killer b pick up and tray, added oil and it all seemed very good till 75k when I traded it in. I also put in new short blocks on others with lower miles... So from my travels it's a must. Btw Wayne's prices are good so if you need a setup go for it.

[DMC7492]

Just for the warm and fuzziness taking the pan off and inspecting the tube would be a lot more economical. Mine wasn't broken through but you can see the crack propagating and you can catch a fingernail on it. Driving the car you would never know that it is there, until it started sucking air, but then it's probably too late especially if your cranking it up and having fun driving! Beware!!

[Wayne Presley]

Hi Wayne,

Since I have a EJ255 (06 WRX) I don't need the STI pan, right? The KB pick-up and windage tray will fit? What's the price on that?

Thanks,

Lee

They are $242 for the pickup and windage tray.

[Mechie3]

06 WRX pan is the STI pan.

I did the killer B pickup in mine after seeing a few locals have cracks.

[wleehendrick]

06 WRX pan is the STI pan.

Wasn't sure if the STi had more capacity; glad I'm already covered there; the KB pan looks nice, but pricey and overkill for my primarily street driven S.


I did the killer B pickup in mine after seeing a few locals have cracks.

After reading about all the issues, seems like good insurance, even though it's an upgrade that'll never be seen. I think I've got all the 'weak links' and good 'bang-for-the-buck' mods addressed on my motor... just need to figure out the exhaust.

Thanks!

Lee