Bikeboy16

Thanks very much for your help with that, when I change it in the next month or so I'll go with one of your reccomendations. Phil.

Hi Tim, it uses some oil, but not what I would think is an excessive amount, it's a bit hard to tell as I have a minor leak somewhere so a bit obviously goes that way, but I've never used enough to get concerned about.

Hi, could you advise on the best oil for my 2008 Sti Hatchback please. I am told it has forged pistons from when it was re-built around 25000 miles, it is now on 80000 miles ( didn't know if that would make a difference ). i have been using Mobil 1 esp, as that was what was in it when i got it, but just want to make sure i use the right stuff when i change it. Thanks in advance., Phil.

Hi, could you advise on the best oil for my 2008 Sti Hatchback please. I am told it has forged pistons from when it was re-built around 25000 miles, it is now on 80000 miles ( didn't know if that would make a difference ). i have been using Mobil 1 esp, as that was what was in it when i got it, but just want to make sure i use the right stuff when i change it. Thanks in advance., Phil.

Thanks all for the tips, given me even more to think about !!

Thanks for that Linx, luckily i got the right one then ! I've put it in and taken it for a spin to circulate it, but not had chance to drive enough to see any results yet. Hopefully over the weekend i'll find out, lets just hope its the one i want, fingers crossed.

@Linx, just out of interest, do you remember which k-seal you used ? I see there are couple of variations and wasn't sure which one to try.

Thanks for the replies, so far more positive than i was expecting. I thought it was all going to be telling me blown head gasket stories !! Think i will try another good look around, and possibly some k-seal .

Just looking for any advice, tips or suggestions. I have a 2008 StI hatchback. I don't do many miles in it, as it's a second car so only maybe weekend use, and one local drive in the week. I have noticed the water level in the expansion tank drops quite often after use, not drastically but often a couple of centimetres at a time. It's not every time, but as i said, quite often. The odd thing is, it seems to happen more after short journeys, whereas i did a longer trip the other day, around 150 miles and it didn't move at all ! The temperature gauge stays around halfway as it always has, and has never fluctuated in either direction. I have done all the usual checks myself, and can find no obvious leaks, it doesn't use oil to any extent, there is no sign of water in the oil or vice versa. I have been to a local subaru dealer, who did a pressure test to check the head gaskets, and found nothing wrong, so where is it going ? I convinced myself it was head gasket, and obviously still think it could be, but the dealer thinks not so who am i to argue ! What do you think ?

Hi all, Just a quick question. I am planning to get my 2008 sti hatchback mapped sometime soon, and was just wondering if any of you that have been mapped before, could tell me how it works regarding the si drive ? What i mean by this, is do they just map in sport sharp, or do they map the other modes, or that said, am i asking a silly question,and it doesn't work like that ?? I know plenty of you will be able to put me right !

Have you had any luck getting hold of Duncan yet ? I think even he himself would be happy to admit he isn't the easiest person to get hold of !! Last time i needed to contact him, i just had to keep calling/texting him, and he did get back to me after a bit. As he explained me, when he's mapping, or working he can't pick up, so it's very much pot luck !!

Thanks for all the replies, it's obviously more of a common observation than i thought. @aucky, I think we are thinking on the same lines, i do pretty much exactly the same as you. As you say, over filling is not a good thing in the same way as running too low would be.

Thanks for the reply Linx, maybe i'll give it a try when hot, and see how it works out. I don't feel quite so daft now seeing i'm not the only one who's noticed this !!

Hi, this may be a bit of an odd/daft question but here goes anyway ..... I have a 2008 STI, and previously had a 2009 WRX, i've always been thorough with maintenance, checking oil, water etc. I nearly always check my oil when the car has been left overnight, so i know it's all drained down, but one thing i've noticed on both my imprezas is that even though the dipstick appears to drop vertically down, i get a different level on either side of it ( if that makes sense ). If i get one side dead on the full mark, the other side may be on say 3/4. I assume someone will probably fill me in on the logic of this, but its something i've always wondered about. By the way, the car is in my garage, so it's on very level ground. And following on from that, i always go on the higher one being where the oil is, as i don't want to over fill it, but is this the right way to do it ? I know some people will probably be saying ' what the hell is he on about " but if i didn't ask id just be wondering !! Any thoughts or tips welcome.

Just to add my opinion to this one... I had my previous car (impreza wrx-s hatchback) mapped by Duncan last year. I'm no mechanic nor do i have any illusions about being a car expert, but in my opinion, he did a really good job, he explained how he would be a bit limited on standard turbo etc but mapped it giving a nice increase in bhp, and a good amount of extra torque, and also better mpg. With regards a locked map, mine was locked to a pro-tune map, which he was able to get around, but it cost more due to needing different mapping software, as i recall it was an extra £190 back then, but don't quote me on that !!