Back on a flatbed

Piston ring failure at 10k now possible big end at 17k no mods, no track days and sensible i have a 9 month old baby driving. Unf**king real. What is going to go next? Love the car but cant go on like this.

When the piston failed did they replace the pistons or was a complete short engine fitted as is the norm.

I know of 1 Hatch that has had 4 replacement short engines fitted, although some of these failures were a direct fault of a dealers bad working practices.

Not good to hear, hope it is sorted soon, makes me worry about giving mine the beans

Think they just replaced the piston rings as they had not caused much damage. They ae taking the engine apart the now should find out whats happening on monday.

every owners worst nightmare
hope its sorted soon.

Well confirmed big end failure today. The garage are talking about just repairing the engine was expecting them to replace the engine you would think the big end going would have caused some damage. Not sure what to do going to talk to IM in the morning, have lost all confidence in the car now, two engine failures in a car which has only done 17K and a warranty that runs out next year.

As there have been failures of several different kinds within that engine I would insist that they replace the whole engine. It could be down to a faulty oil pump or just a rogue engine. In any case, as you say, you have lost all confidence with the car, especially that engine.

Sorry to hear that, know how you feel.

Very unsusal/unlucky to have a bottom end to go, usually ringland failure (on the pistons) on the 08/09

If you can, try to make sure/insist that they fit a new short engine as a minumum. The newer engines have some changes (piston skirt design & rings for one) that should help to solve the problem in the long run...And sorry, but it sounds fishy to me just replacing the pistons/piston rings after your previous engine failure, the bores could be damaged...

And I would seriously consider getting someone decent (who has the specific EcuTek flash can software for the 2008/09 STI) to re-map it for you after the repairs/runnning in period, not for extra power, just to make sure there is not any det

I have, touch wood, not had any problems since I had a replacelment short engine fitted and I am running 355bhp/380lbft with a re-map, full de-cat exhaust and in wing cold air intake, and I have driven it hard...If the engine goes again, I think am going to go for a re-built fully forged bottom end with upgraded oil pump etc. regardless of the warranty...

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Waiting for IM to come back to me and then will decied what to do. Thinking i might get the lawyers involved. Dont think i have just been unlucky its down poor manufacturing and design at subaru. The link below is unbeliveable, people think toyota have problems!

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1695936

Currently making up a new short motor for mine.
Kept changing my mind on what internals to put in but this is my choice now

Wiseco pistons
cometic head gaskets
eagle rods with arp rod bolts
arp head studs
acl race bearings

What made you choose Eagle rods ?.

changing the spec of my deal, so not opting for those anymore. heard bad reports

Wise move on the Eagle rods, std OE STI rods are better.
What are you going for now, Manley, Cosworth, Carrillo or Farndon.
I am reliable informed that Mahle have introduced crank bearings to F1 spec this month for Subaru engines & are a similar price to ACL, might be worth checking out.

just out of interest do you supply engine parts for these ??

manley rods now back to my original options lol

Yes i do supply parts, price wise it is very competitive on a lot of these products, unless you buy in large quantities.
I usually only buy in what i am building or whats coming in with a deposit paid.
Must admit i have'nt done much Subaru since xmas, its all Ford YB's & Pinto F2 stockcar / rally car builds at the moment.

Can you Pm me some prices for the following, Or what you use in your builds cheers

acl bearings
arp Headstud kit
Mahle Pistons
Manley Rods
Cometic Head gaskets

cheers
Rob

Well as expected IM will only extend the warrenty by one month as it has been off the road for this time now. This shows the confidence they have in the new short block! So will be sending a rejection notice to the dealer in the morning, have asked my lawyer to begin legal action. Will post an update after legal proceding have been completed,expect it to take around 6 months should be fun.

JSFB wrote:Well as expected IM will only extend the warrenty by one month as it has been off the road for this time now. This shows the confidence they have in the new short block! So will be sending a rejection notice to the dealer in the morning, have asked my lawyer to begin legal action. Will post an update after legal proceding have been completed,expect it to take around 6 months should be fun.

Depressing yet interesting stuff!

Rob wrote:Can you Pm me some prices for the following, Or what you use in your builds cheers

acl bearings
arp Headstud kit
Mahle Pistons
Manley Rods
Cometic Head gaskets

cheers
Rob

Are these the mahle pistons you're getting Rob (Motors S-GT?)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SUBARU-WRX-STI-EJ25-MAHLE-FORGED-PISTONS_W0QQitemZ350324510395QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item5190f7cebb

Do they locate on the STI rods?

Yes they are the Mahle pistons we were reffering to, & yes they fit the OE STI rods.
Very good piston for the money, as is most Mahle products.

What kind of cost do specialists charge to replace the pistons?

I'm assuming (because of the flat 4 layout) Subaru's are more expensive to do?

I would say your looking at around £1600 to £1800 to swop pistons,on a low mileage engine with bores in good nick.

Rob,

Anything happening wioth your engine yet?

Neil

Tim (Ex Zen) has quoted me this

Hi

to remove and refit your engine it would be 6 hrs £180
to strip down your engine and rebuild it would be 10 hrs £300
parts would be head gaskets £120,cambelt kit £250, cam seals, crank seals, block seals, rocker gaskets about £150
running oil and filter £30, crank shells £120, pistons depends on what you want £400 to £800, machine work ie hone £30, skim heads and block faces £120, you may not need some of the parts listed would advise when all parts have been inspected but may require them so have listed so you dont get a shock.

Thats £1700 exactly in the middle of what i quoted.