stuWRXmartin

It wont be the lasy time I have one! Missing four wheel drive already.

Guys - I cant thank you enough for all your help and advice. I had to really think about whats best and so its with regret (doing my Alan Sugar impression) I have part ex'd it :-( believe me I am sad about it but its for the best!! Mini cooper S it is then.

Well gents... I took the rad out flushed the system through, put the car on the hill topped up with coolant and wate. System took about 7.7 lts and guess what... perfect. I had a huge air lock. Looks like it had been heating the air, dragging some oil in to the coolant. Took it for a spin - left it running for over an hour and good as new. Even booster has come on earlier than before by 500revs. Not sure if long term damage has been done considering hydro carbon test???

The plan is not to tell them... if I go that way

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.

Adam - thanks for the number. Superstar! Will call and see where to go from there. Thank you!

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

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.

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!

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....

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!

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....