Phil R

Hi everyone, Well I haven't been here since February 2016 when my car lost compression, I was getting garage bills with untrained rip-off merchants that were always unsuccessful, and finances took a bit of a dive so I shelved the project - I forgot it even existed in fact for a whole 5 years but, now I have the car back in my possession and I want to finish the job. I am wondering if anyone on here is aware of an Impreza guru type located around the West London area - preferably mobile who can come and look at the car, listen to the story of events and efficiently work towards getting it running and ready for MOT. I would also like to discuss moderate power upgrades at this time whilst its non-running and partially dismantled as it seems to make sense to do it now rather than when its all up and running as standard, only to take it apart again. The abridged synopsis of what happened is as follows: - car developed severe piston slap and loss of compression - I bought replacement engine which a garage fitted and also fitted new clutch and timing belt plus tensioner, changed plugs and coil packs, CO2 sensors, new correct oil, new air filter and direct replacement ECU. Car ran ok in neutral but went straight to limp mode when in gear. The engine and the electronics are clearly in a severe dispute but surely this can be overcome? Comments were made about coolant hose routing being different on new engine and maybe it came from an auto box car originally - this was never verified. In my very limited knowledge I feel it has to be ECU / Air Flow Meter / Throttle Body Housing related. This a long time ago now and I can't recall much more but I'd really like to get it working even if that means ripping out the drive by wire and running it on twin carbs but obviously a standard / upgraded set up would be my preference. Apologies in advance to anyone who recalls my original posts for advice that suddenly went unanswered but I just totally lost all hope and could no longer support the project or find the enthusiasm for it. Can anyone give the contact for an honest expert who can get my car running and isn't going to try to drain my bank account in the process?

I think I've found a decent 2006 r sport engine for £250 with 81k on it. Reckon I'll take it then slowly do a nice replace / rebuild / one-out-of-two. I'll keep you in mind for any bits you may need so long as they are of course good. Quick question - does your hood scoop do anything - I see a blanked off air intake on mine where the hood scoop would be on the bonnet if you get me - if it could be functional just for extra air I may do it. Car won't be needed for work now so going to spend a bit of time making it nice

Great shout - I would have missed that totally and bought a useless lump. Thanks again L

Hi Lawrence - found this on eBay, owner knows nothing about it - it's cheap, very cheap - reckon it's our block?

Hi Lawrence I've done a separate post but thought I would touch base with you in case you can help as you are local and been really helpful - I need a short engine for mine otherwise it's scrap - losing compression on 3 - the piston slap had gone terminal.cdont suppose you have one / know of one? Phil

Morning folks, following on from the piston slap debate and then the loss of power well it seems that I'm also losing compression on 3 so it's fair to say that I'm going to need a rebuild / rebore etc etc - silly money and the car isn't worth it so next best option is to find a short engine and have someone fit it on mates rates. I can sort out the latter but does anyone have a decent short motor for my 2006 Impreza R Sport manual saloon non-turbo? Obviously there needs to be no previous knocks, bangs, rattles or compression fails otherwise I'm chasing my tail, not to mention minimising further any chance of making it to the slopes this ski season !!! All help appreciated as ever - no point going down the diagnostic route further as I'm firmly up against the wall already, it's a short block replacement for sure. Thanks in advance folks - what a sad entry into Subaru ownership 😟

it's silver / grey

I wonder if there are any places that do used wheels like yours? The diffuser will go on tomorrow I think, so will the flaps if postie can be bothered to get out of bed - the roof scoop.....hmm I kind of wish I could wave a magic wand and come up with a solution that involves me not doing any work like cutting the roof - that's not going to happen, but if I fit it dummy then it's going to cause noise and probably fly off - eBay purchases late at night, not recommended !! Haha

Hello Tom, yes I will upload pics of the car once it's out of the garage repair centre - some gremlins in the engine right now that I am trying to get resolved. Just arrived via via postie is a roof scoop, some factory mud flaps and a full length rear diffuser so I'd like to fit all that stuff with the new wheels - yours look great on your car by the way. p.

Hi Geoff, thanks as ever for your advice. Engine oil, Wynns flush and filter was done 2 weeks ago so that's cleared that. The car is immaculate and drives tight in every way apart from these new problems I'm incurring. I've done 2000 motorway miles in 3 weeks - I travel a lot and the 'spluttering' shall we call it, only occurred last Sunday on a very low speed drive home through country lanes so I don't think I've been sold a lemon - a hidden major fault would have emerged after 200 miles - at least in my mind ..... USA forums blame fuel type but I don't buy that, it's a modern petrol engine with minimal performance expectations - my friend drives an Audi RS5 which has a Lambo engine and he can throw any octane fuel in that and it works. i just replaced the front lambda sensor as the engine light came on for that, the garage changed it blaming faulty part but no change to the problem - it's some kind of simple (yet complex) fuel delivery issue. Totally stupid idea - un burnt fuel leaking through ovalised piston (slap cause) and turning engine into a 3 cylinder?? No that's engineering nonsense and reading too deep surely? The engine pulls like a race horse (well it did) so I suspect it's one of these inherent Subaru faults - but which one? Oh my Buddha let's hope it's nothing serious otherwise I'm going down the deathly road of 'Mondeo diesel to get me to work and back until retirement' !!!! thanks again Geoff for your help. Phil

so today my latest issue is a loss of power then surge then loss around the 2500-4000 rpm range. Some forums claim mass air flow sensor needing cleaning, others claim re-programming the ECU with a patch from Subaru that takes 30 min. The car is in the garage now and any help given to minimise the mechanics searching down the wrong path would be appreciated. It's most noticeable under load in 3rd or 4th. now we know the car suffers from a mainly harmless 'piston slap' - garage heard the nasty noise and said big end but that would remain beyond cold start up, mine disappears, but what is this strange loss of power? It's fully serviced and only has 86,000 on the clock so surely it can't be goodnight engine already? should I be making a new thread / post? Sorry if I should. Thanks in advance. phil

Sure will post a pic - I have no idea how I'm going to fit it or what will happen when it's done but.....it just looked nice, it was for sale and it was well priced!! Haha

Thanks for confirming this. it has all the symptoms. I go easy on the loud pedal at all times but shall make extra effort in this case. cheers P

Hi, it has 84,000 on the clock, last service at 68,000. Oil is fully synthetic and was changed last week. All advice welcome. Thanks.

I just bought a roof scoop for mine which I will fit (but leave as dummy - too much rain and snow round GL postcodes!!), when I do the rally flaps and rear diffuser. I'll pass on the bonnet scoop - any more scoops and the kids will think I'm selling ice creams !!! My Lancia Delta Evo 2 was a combination of rally meets road so I'm trying to stick with the same theme with this car. For the exhaust, I'm sure I'll find that one but I really want a throaty rasp like an old fisherman after 20 capstan full strength !Removed! !! Haha

Hi there I went for this one - you can see who the seller is from the photos so should be easy to find on eBay. Exhaust - hmm, I really don't want the scooby rumble as I have tinnitus and that noise grates on me like fingers down a blackboard so I am keen to go for something Italian raspy sounding. There is a video on YouTube posted by a guy in South Africa - I will try to find it now. Found it. Ignore the rattling noise of the GoPro and watch it through. I don't have a snail on my car so I'm not trying to pretend it's something it's not - although I did just order the Subaru logo metal frame mud flaps and very keen to find some cheap Prodrive GT1 18's in silver, grey or champagne colour but then that is it.

Hi there, it's newbie Phil again, thanks to those who helped with replacement wheel thoughts, this time I need a bit of help regarding a rather strange 'knock' that is very audible on cold start up but then disappears after a few minutes. It comes from the engine and is as regular as a Swiss clock. You would almost think the car was an old Ford diesel if you couldn't see it. I've heard about ovalised pistons, big end bearing fails and cam belt tensioners and also 'it's normal, they all do this' but I'm obviously keen to diagnose what it is before something goes horribly wrong. Once the car has reached operating temperature there is nothing to hear so it's kind of hard for me to book into a garage as they won't hear a thing by the time I get there !! 😐 any pointers please? Thanks in advance. P

Hi there I did reply yesterday but it did not seem to appear. Thank you for your advice, I think I shall do the same as you have. Your car looks really nice. I've just bought a rear diffuser and shall try to source a decent exhaust system too - nothing to rumbling, more of an Italian style note. thanks for your time to comment and post images. phil

Thanks again Jay - I never thought about other wheels to be honest, your photos of yours look good. I will have a look at aftermarket wheels that work in tandem with my cars set up. Cheers for your help and - nice car with tasteful mods you have. Thanks. p

Thank you for your advice - 2 out of 2 people saying it's not a good idea is enough for me to base a balanced decision to leave things as they are. The last thing I want to do is to mess up the handling characteristics of a great car.

Hello and thank you for the welcome and advice. I suspected that it would not be a simple change over without some impact - my car is after all just a simple 160hp 4x4 saloon and not a well researched rally champion like it's bigger and more expensive siblings. 😀 the wheels on mine work fine but I can't help but feel that the blown arches look a bit uninhabited so I thought that an extra inch of rim and an inch or two of width would be just the ticket but if it will cause me distress down the line then maybe I best leave things as the experts at Subaru designed it. I do a lot of motorway miles as well as plenty of wet and muddy country lanes which the car manages both very well so perhaps the old saying 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' might be a good adage to pay heed to. thanks again for your valued help. P.

2006 Impreza R Sport wants WRX or STI wheels - do they fit? hi there I've just bought the above car and decided that the standard 16" (I think) wheels don't really fill the arches and am wondering if I can change them for standard WRX or STI wheels from the same year model. im sure they will probably bolt straight on but the car handles great as it is and I am always cautious about ill-informed home modifications so I don't want to change them if it will upset the cars handling and / or foul the bodywork in any way. does anyone have an accurate answer please? thanks in advance. P