2007 STI Impreza Overheating

[Kruiz136]

Hi, I have recently bought my first Subaru 6 months ago after always wanting one, it is a 2007 Impreza Sti completely standard with blitz catback exhaust and 94,000 miles on it.

When bought it it wanted a new clutch so I have replaced this but recently it started to overheat so I replaced the water pump thermostat timing belt and tensioners etc.

The water pump was quite tight so expected this was the problem and it seemed fine for a week or so but now has started to over heat again. I have also noticed a slight misfire under acceleration and on cold start up for the first few seconds of idling. The oil is not contaminated as I have just changed it and neither is the coolant however it throws water into the overflow bottle and then overheats. It is fine as long as I keep topping up the header tank but only lasts around 5 miles before needing topping up and overflow emptying again also have seen bubbles on the header tank on start up bit disappear after about 10 seconds.

I'm assuming the head gasket may be at fault but don't want to go through a costly rebuild if not necessary so wanted to see what you guys thought? I have taken it to my local garage who I trust with all my previous cars but they won't touch it so will need a specialist in the Cheshire area does anyone have any recommendations?

The bottom end of engine was rebuilt once before approx 40,000 miles ago for failed pistons which I have receipts for so the head gaskets were replaced once before but doesn't say the heads were skimmed.

I was considering doing the job myself and outsourcing the machine work as I have experience building engines but not one of these has anyone tried doing it before? Is it a job that could be done 'on the drive' with a garage to work on the engine? 

Thanks

Kyle

[Tidgy]

Sounds very much like headgasket failure.

Bad news is its a full rebuild job inc bottom end. 

As far as if you can do it yourself, totaly up to you. however you need to be very careful with tolerances etc and needs to be done in a clean and dry envoronemnt.