stuWRXmartin Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Hi All. I have recently purchased a WRX and noticed the oil gauge go to max temp and then occasionaly return back to normal. The car seams to stutter when I apply the throtle. Noticed that the collant is low and seen oil within the coolant. Have had a sniff test carried out and the mechanic says that its the head gasket. Pressure is there and noticed the coolant bubble. Radiator is cold so not sure if there is a blockage either. Ive been told that I will need to replace the head gasket, water pump, timing belt, cam belt and thermostat. Big job I know but is this common in WRX's? Car is 06 and thought that they replaced the problems back in 02? I would welcome your thoughts.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gambit Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Welcome to S.O.C I will start with that better news :) My bad news :( Sounds like head gasket mate But we have many other's on here who know more then me might say something else. But from my own experience oil in the coolant was head gasket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tlag Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 If you have oil mixing with coolant, it will be the head gaskets. The other items you have been advised to change are not essential to do but makes good sense as to do them separately will involve a lot of labour time and therefore money. On any of the EJ series engines, head gasket failure is not uncommon. Over the years, the designs have changed only very slightly with the biggest advances in the actual gaskets, but they still go. It is however quite rare for them to go in the way yours has, they usually don't get to the point where the oil mixes with coolant. It's usually coolant into the combustion chambers. Unusual but not unheard of. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay762 Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 Wotcha and welcome - sorry your introduction to the forum is under these circumstances It does sound like the head gasket has gone, the oil in the coolant may have something to do with the level however it may be symptomatic of a cracked head / liner and oil is getting into the system that way. You mention oil temp guage - do you mean the one on the dash by the rev counter / speedo, if so Im pretty sure this is a coolant temp guage and would shoot up if there is limited coolant going around your system, there may be an air lock or also the thermostat may have failed which would stop the flow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 All the above is sound advice so nothing for me to add other than it was 2010 with the introduction of the hatchback Impreza that the head-gaskets were upgraded. Make sure you use these new ones when you get the car fixed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuWRXmartin Posted October 22, 2013 Author Share Posted October 22, 2013 Gents thank you for the advice. Good idea about the head gasket for new models, I will ask for that to be done. Yeah its a bit unfortunate but it happens, but at least when its fixed it should be reliable for many more years! Appreciate your advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay762 Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 It certainly should be - keep us posted as to the final outcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gambit Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 You're welcome and as Jay said keep us posted mate on how it goes. And feel free to have a look around the forums :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuWRXmartin Posted October 23, 2013 Author Share Posted October 23, 2013 Ive been quoted 2.5k to have it done. Once more ive been told that if the block has a crack in it then I will have to pay for a new engine. Not sure this is worth doing.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Sorry... £2,500 just for head gaskets? I think you need to shop around! Ask Tlag for a quote. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gambit Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Seem's a lot to me that who did you take it to a main dealer Be cheaper getting another engine and swapping it or having it swapped would be a lot cheaper then that. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay762 Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Yup we did some investigating recently on this subject for Bouncer and after some discussion £1200 was more realistic but even then he found somewhere to do it for about £700 and that was with a head skim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gambit Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Yup we did some investigating recently on this subject for Bouncer and after some discussion £1200 was more realistic but even then he found somewhere to do it for about £700 and that was with a head skim Haha that's who it was Victor, I was trying to think who it was :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuWRXmartin Posted October 23, 2013 Author Share Posted October 23, 2013 I swear I was laughing so hard when he gave me the quote. He did say thermostat, water pump, timing belt, cam belt, head gaskets etc so not just for two heads. My mate said he would have done it for about 1k but doesnt have time or somewhere to do it which is a real shame. I love the car :-( I will ring round and find out before I have to consider chopping it in. Anyone know a reliable, honest mechanic in Kent? Cheers guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gambit Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 I don't myself sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay762 Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 We have had some good reviews a bit further around the M25 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 I would say £1,000-£1,200 is about right for just the head gaskets. I really can't see how anyone could do them for £700 unless they were making a loss. Obviously the other items will add to that, but you should only be paying for parts and no extra for labour as the cam belt etc needs to come off anyway to do the gaskets. I do know a Subaru specialist in Kent and I've only ever heard good things about him. I don't have his details to hand so I'll get back to you on that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuWRXmartin Posted October 23, 2013 Author Share Posted October 23, 2013 I would really appreciate it Adam! I think that this is ludicrous to be chargin' double! Is it possible that after all the work is done that there could be a crack in the block - making this all unnecessary work. I was told it would cost 300 quid to do a compression test. Feel like my pockets are getting lighter each time I ask something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 There is always a risk of further unseen problems, no matter what the job is. I would say it's unlikely the heads or block are cracked unless you have really cooked the engine and run it for a long time while overheating. They may be slightly warped but that should be put right with a skim, and whoever does the gaskets should skim them anyway as a matter of routine. A compression test before doing the gaskets wont be much use as there is no way of knowing if it's loosing compression through a failed gasket, cracked block or piston ring etc... It will just tell you what you already know, which is the engine needs to come out. Draining the fluids and removing the engine should take one man about a day, so that is a sizable lump of labour to pay for no matter what issues you find once the heads are off. It's very unlikely you will need them, but I have a pair of AVCS heads for sale... :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuWRXmartin Posted October 23, 2013 Author Share Posted October 23, 2013 I honestly wish I was as technically minded as you boys! I'll be honest Adam the car hasnt (or I dont think) overheated. Ive had a sniff test done - came green and bubbled. Oil in the coolant only. No smell of petrol no white stuff. Rad is cold but pipes to left hand side of intercooler is v hot. Car heating works as well as the fans so because of the sniff test assume its heads? I wondered if the thermostat went and then water pump possibly broke causing a blockage therefore dragging air/ oil in?!?! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 I've sent you a private message with a phone number to call. Sounds to me like the head gaskets have gone and exhaust gases have got into the coolant when under high pressure, ie when on boost. The pocket or pockets of gas/air are now moving around the system which is why you may get hot and cold radiator and demisters etc. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gambit Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 I know what I'm adding isn't a fix but with Tlag and Adam what ever they say/recommend I would agree with I would even take advice on my own car from either one :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuWRXmartin Posted October 23, 2013 Author Share Posted October 23, 2013 Adam - thanks for the number. Superstar! Will call and see where to go from there. Thank you! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuWRXmartin Posted October 25, 2013 Author Share Posted October 25, 2013 HI All just a quick up date. Had many quotes and a few people that will not touch it. Best price so far which includes a head skim £1200 but I will have to wait another week before I can get started. I also wen to Subaru main garage in Walthamstow just to ask if there could be anything else from what I told them - they suggested that the pitons may also be out of place but you wont know until you have done the rest of the works. Ifeel like I am better off buying a new engine or px it against some other car from a main dealer. Car has only done 72k. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay762 Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 depends how much you like the car, you will not get a great px with the work that needs to be done. here is the discussion thread with Bouncer - it may be of use http://uk.subaruownersclub.com/forums/topic/2690-head-gasket-prices-for-wrx/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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