Rik Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Hi all, My son bought Impreza WRX 2.5 wagon a month back from a private seller and as far as we know head gaskets were blown, but my son had no knowledge of the problem when he bought the car, until the engine boiled over on the same day as he bought the car. The seller was not interested in taking the car back, so we're in muck street now. The car has been laid up since the day of purchase and we need some serious help to get it fixed. I've tried to get reliable info relating to this problem, re blown head gaskets and all sorts of conflicting info has arisen, hence my asking you guys. Now without going into the gory details of the sale etc; I wondered if any of you have changed these gaskets and solved the problem entirely, or, have you had to do an engine re-build because of a gasket failure. Can any of you recommend a reliable mechanic to sort this out? Any suggestions or help will of course be very greatly appreciated. Kind regards, Rik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martyc Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 When the head gasket goes a bottom end refresh is advisable due to the bottom end being put under pressure Sent from my iphone using Tapatalk 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoobyghost Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Agree with Marty. The 2.5 are getting a reputation for letting go a little easy. While the engine is open you may as well replace the bearings too. I'd hate to hear you spend a bunch of cash on the HG only a few thousand miles the damage from overheating becomes apparant with a lot of knocking. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WideSam Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 My bottom end gave out after overheating. I'd recommend doing it. It'll be a fairly "simple" case of popping some new bearings in- at least nothing will be scored or damaged. It's a good chance to refresh everything again, I just got all the seals and gaskets for my heads for about £200, so you'd probably be able to get everything you need for under £500- obviously it'll be more if you're not doing the work yourself. Sent from my iphone using Tapatalk 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rik Posted August 30, 2015 Author Share Posted August 30, 2015 Martyc, I hadn't expected to get any replies as quick as this, so thanks for telling me what I've dreaded to hear. ScoobyGhost, Once again a thank you is in order, though trying to get someone to carry out the work locally, may prove very difficult. WideSam, Thanks to you for your input...appreciated. Just wondering, when you say "your bottom end went", do you mean the block cracked, or was it the crankshaft in two bits, or maybe both. Or, were pistons blown to bits? I'm concerned as to whether the heads are cracked? I daren't tell you what the garage 'Up North' have quoted for an engine re-build. Regards, Rik. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WideSam Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Well strictly speaking I've done it twice, don't know the full extent of the damage in the engine that's currently in the car, but the one we took the heads off of the bearing had completely worn away and the piston could come a few mm out of the top of the bore. In my case the crank will probably be scrap because of scoring etc (don't get them machined, I've seen what can happen there). However in your case it should all be fine and it'll be a case of swapping the bearings- think of it as prevention rather than cure. A cracked head will only be apparent on getting them checked, which you'll need to have done anyway. Luckily, if you need new heads, there's always idiots like me around knackering their big ends. Sent from my iphone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rik Posted August 30, 2015 Author Share Posted August 30, 2015 Wide Sam, Thanks again for giving me valuable advice. At this point in time we need all the help we can get. I've just watched a video on YouTube of an American guy removing the engine from an STi and to be honest it looks pretty darned hard to do, even with all the gear he has to hand. I don't have that luxury. Years back, when I was young, I would have stripped one out without a second thought but at my age it's a no go situation. Hence my appeal for info and maybe a well equiped garage that could undertake the work. Will obviously keep all posted if we can get it sorted out. Regards, Rik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WideSam Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 It's honestly not as bad as it seems! I'd maybe have a quick search on the Internet for local independent specialists. The one local to me is brilliant- his knowledge is unbelievable! Best of luck Sent from my iphone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rik Posted August 30, 2015 Author Share Posted August 30, 2015 Wide Sam, Last week I phoned a very large Scooby specialist in Derbyshire and was told £3,000 or more would be the cost to rebuild the engine. I had my doubts about having to have a rebuild, until you guys confirmed it. Finding £3,000 is out of the question right now, so will take your advice and will have a look on the net to see if we can find an honest reliable mechanic in our area. Thanks once more for your help...appreciated. Kind regards, Rik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WideSam Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 The other option is to find a complete engine and have that put in instead? Sent from my iphone using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoobyghost Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Beat me to it Sam. Next bet would be a doner vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rik Posted August 30, 2015 Author Share Posted August 30, 2015 Yes, That's something to be taken into account and will definitely be considered. Thanks. Regards, Rik. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rik Posted August 30, 2015 Author Share Posted August 30, 2015 ScoobyGhost, That's something I hadn't thought of. Again, that's another consideration. Thanks for the input. Rik. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay762 Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 How far from Sheffield are you - these chaps have a great rep and might be good for a second opinion? http://uk.subaruownersclub.com/forums/topic/2221-subaru-servicing-in-sheffield/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rik Posted September 1, 2015 Author Share Posted September 1, 2015 Jay762, Thanks very much for trying to assist ... it's really appreciated. TBH I often wish I lived in central England, as it's just so much better to get stuff sorted. Sadly, I'm roughly 200 miles from Sheffield and the car would need to go on a flatbed in its present state, so costs would be heavy I would imagine. The ironic thing is the car was bought from Snaith, about 30 miles north of Doncaster and could do with going back there but the guy who sold it is obviously a con - man. Hence our present problem. A great forum BTW. Regards, Rik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay762 Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 An option would be to rent a car trailer £30 a day from hire it by me , it all depends on the quote you get - for me and given your experience so far its about peace of mind against any investment. The engine replacement is a great idea again you can rent engine lift etc and get stuck in - obviously you gamble on that unit as well though... keep us posted as to progress 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rik Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 Jay762, Once more, a big thank you from me for your help/advice. TBH I feel really sorry for my son, him having spent over £6,000 in total on a car that's presently not fit for the road. Youngsters 'eh, they won't listen to the 'old man', who has quite a bit of experience, having owned many cars and all of them second hand, so I've always had to fix and mend whenever problems have occurred. Will definitely keep you posted as and when I have more info. Kind regards, Rik. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Www.apiimpreza.co.uk are worth a look depending on where you are, reasonable pricing and quick turn around Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay762 Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Got an error with .co.uk?? is it these chaps?? http://www.apiimpreza.com/ looking better - from £1200+ vat for a recon of your engine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Sorry I was going by memory Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay762 Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 no worries ;) - had not come across these guys was intrigued - looks like a good site certainly stacks of engine parts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 They say that but when you call and discuss it soon ramps up to 2-3k depends on what needs doing I have an email quote for a full rebuild somewhere I'll pop up for a rough guide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rik Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 Stants, Thanks for your help too...again it's great to be on a forum like this. I'll give them a call tomorrow. Jay762, To update you. I called the guys up in Sheffield and they were very sympathetic re price but as you can well imagine engine re-builds don't come cheap. I really wish when people sell a car they would be more honest but sadly that seems to be the way of the world and usually the innocent end up having to pay for it. The good news is that looking at what you guys have found it appears that there may be light at the end of the tunnel as far as prices go. I feel so angry as to how my son has been treated I want to publish the blokes name and address who sold him the junk. Rik. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savage bulldogs Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Dunno how some people sleep at night [emoji35] Have you thought about a 2.5 sti engine from a reputable breakers ? Could probably pick one up delivered on a pallet for under £1k ,then get it fitted locally Obviously a pinned 2.5 rebuild would be a better option but if budget is s bit tighter a quality second hand unit could be a alternative 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rik Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 Savage bulldogs, I'd considered taking that route but you never know what people are selling, as we've found to our cost with the car. The Scooby we have has full service history...mostly from Subaru main dealers, or the Scooby Clinic. It's done 46,000 miles and that's genuine, so it might be a better option to keep this engine and rebuilding it. The costs we're being quoted are around £3k Correct me if I'm wrong but if we bought a 2.5 Sti, would that mean we would need to mate it with the 6 speed box? Rik, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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