[Golfguy11800]

Wanted to gather the findings of other people who have either removed their stock FMIC for basic purposes or those who have removed their stock FMIC to upgrade it.

My car had 6,000 miles on it at the time of the video below and there are zero performance mods on the car.

Concerns being that I've ordered a stage 3 kit and I'm already seeing "this much" oil. I have an oil catch can on the shelf waiting to be installed. But I don't want the catch can to be a band-aid for a wound the equivalent size of being shot. My concern is that there are deeper problems. I've had a Ford tech and friends say this is "normal" and others who have said that my turbo is taking a leak with its seals and is on the way to the grave.

I've had other FiST's with Cobb stage 2 and 9,000 miles have those pipes be drier than an uncooked bag of rice.

This is my first turbo car and I'm not sure as what to expect. I also know every car will technically have different levels of use and oil.

I allegedly push the car hard for maybe 30 min mountain sessions 3-5 times a month depending on the weather season, 25-30% of that time the car is WOT.

Getting a feel if the PumaSpeed 1.6L race engine, bearings, and turbo upgrade should be on my radar to address if there's a potential endurance problem for me on the stock FiST.

 

[koozy]

mine was dry when I upgraded my intercooler. I'd remove all of the pipes from the turbo to the throttle body and the intercooler, clean them out and remove all traces of oil, put them back on and see if the oil comes back. if it does, then there may be a problem.

 

[Sekred]

Taking into account the way you drive your car (lots of boost application), in my option that's amount of oil is acceptable considering the way the PVC system works.
He is a short explanation explaining how most turbo shaft seals work. Please read the comment at the end which corrects the Author regarding how the shaft seals wear.
https://www.highpowermedia.com/blog/2980/turbo-oil-seals

 

[blurred]

How much did you pour out of the intercooler?

 

[reddog99]

Just out of curiosity, was this oil usage enough to show visibly on the dipstick?

 

[Methane Herder]

I found it interesting that Ford has a "Charge Air Cooler (CAC) Cleaning" procedure for the ST in their factory service manual.
MH

 

[moshaholic2]

^^^^

Which is to do what?

 

[Methane Herder]

^^^^

Which is to do what?

They say to wash it out with something like Simple Green, dry it & air test to no more than 30PSIG. IIRC, they also say to not use a pressure washer.
MH

 

[blurred]

For my STI I just spray some brake clearer and move on

 

[Overlag]

when i upgraded mine at 8000miles it was dry in there, no oil at all. That included a track day.

 

[Golfguy11800]

How much did you pour out of the intercooler?

I will stand the FMIC in a tub tonight and let it drain for a couple days then report back.

 

[Golfguy11800]

Just out of curiosity, was this oil usage enough to show visibly on the dipstick?

I don't have enough data or information to reliably give an answer.

Methan Herder,

You are correct. I had another FiST owner point this out to me as well.

I emailed Ford Mo Co the video and some words and they told me to bring the car into an authorized service shop right away. (Could be them just covering their ass and not really speaking on impending doom.)

Car gets dropped off next week.


Another interesting note I should add...

Every race team who races fiestas on road courses or rally said this was perfectly normal and expected.

Every engineering company that develops parts said that the car has a big problem.