Blob WRX Wagon 2.1 Stroker Project
11 October 2018, 09:24 AM
#751
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I've not checked to be honest, it's not that low currently, it's probably about 5-10mm higher now than it was on the Prodrive springs. I'll have a look though, i'm running 8x17's with 225/45/17's.
14 October 2018, 06:07 PM
#753
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20 October 2018, 10:09 PM
#757
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Just wanted to stick an update in. Car is running well. Had to replace the rad cap on the header tank as it wasn't pressurising and I could change the level in the overflow bottle just by squeezing the hoses 🤣. Sorted now though.
Having another issue with it too, since being tuned it's had a couple of brief episodes of det, or what it thinks is det and pulled massive amounts of timing. You get a flashing check engine light with an alcatek ECU to warn you to back off etc. My knock sensor wiring was a bit knackered so I cut the plug out and replaced it and it was fine for ages again.
However today it's back, it seems to have det when I hit bumps in the road, or change gear hard, always seems to do it on the same stretches of road. I can go 2nd to 3rd then get det, or sometimes changing into 4th it does it. On other bits of road I can nail it through 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th and have nothing at all. At times even after I've completely backed off the check engine light is still flashing away for a couple of seconds afterwards.
I'm getting this chirping, squeaking rattling noise around 2750rpm on constant throttle or in engine braking, worse over bumps. Sounds like the exhaust moving about, I'm wondering if the knock sensor is hearing this thinking it's det. Seems too random and intermittent to be real det, although I can't discount it. The knock sensor is original to the car also but it doesn't look cracked etc.
Having another issue with it too, since being tuned it's had a couple of brief episodes of det, or what it thinks is det and pulled massive amounts of timing. You get a flashing check engine light with an alcatek ECU to warn you to back off etc. My knock sensor wiring was a bit knackered so I cut the plug out and replaced it and it was fine for ages again.
However today it's back, it seems to have det when I hit bumps in the road, or change gear hard, always seems to do it on the same stretches of road. I can go 2nd to 3rd then get det, or sometimes changing into 4th it does it. On other bits of road I can nail it through 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th and have nothing at all. At times even after I've completely backed off the check engine light is still flashing away for a couple of seconds afterwards.
I'm getting this chirping, squeaking rattling noise around 2750rpm on constant throttle or in engine braking, worse over bumps. Sounds like the exhaust moving about, I'm wondering if the knock sensor is hearing this thinking it's det. Seems too random and intermittent to be real det, although I can't discount it. The knock sensor is original to the car also but it doesn't look cracked etc.
21 October 2018, 04:29 PM
#758
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It didn't suck the coolant back in from the expansion last night. So I think the head gasket has gone after further investigation. Header tank cap off I'm getting tons of little bubbles, worse when its revved. I'm also getting bubbles in the overflow tank just before the fans kick on. And I've also got black flakes of crud which look like head gasket coating (RCM). Had these exact symptoms on the 2.1 when it went.
It could be a leak, but I doubt it. Head gasket going was supposed to be the least of my concerns with a closed Deck, 14/12 head studs and RCM gaskets....
It could be a leak, but I doubt it. Head gasket going was supposed to be the least of my concerns with a closed Deck, 14/12 head studs and RCM gaskets....
21 October 2018, 05:21 PM
#760
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21 October 2018, 05:49 PM
#762
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21 October 2018, 07:28 PM
#765
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It has drawn most of the coolant back in from the expansion tank now after running it up to temp earlier. I need to have a proper look over it next weekend not had time this weekend. The expansion tank has a lot of crap sat in the bottom of it though 🙄. All seems very similar to the 2.1, I ended up chasing that round for ages before admitting defeat and ripping it out. I don't know how it could have happened either, only running 1.6 bar, engine should be more than up to the job, it's not overheated or lost any coolant etc.
21 October 2018, 07:43 PM
#766
It has drawn most of the coolant back in from the expansion tank now after running it up to temp earlier. I need to have a proper look over it next weekend not had time this weekend. The expansion tank has a lot of crap sat in the bottom of it though 🙄. All seems very similar to the 2.1, I ended up chasing that round for ages before admitting defeat and ripping it out. I don't know how it could have happened either, only running 1.6 bar, engine should be more than up to the job, it's not overheated or lost any coolant etc.
21 October 2018, 08:10 PM
#767
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22 October 2018, 11:54 AM
#769
It has drawn most of the coolant back in from the expansion tank now after running it up to temp earlier. I need to have a proper look over it next weekend not had time this weekend. The expansion tank has a lot of crap sat in the bottom of it though 🙄. All seems very similar to the 2.1, I ended up chasing that round for ages before admitting defeat and ripping it out. I don't know how it could have happened either, only running 1.6 bar, engine should be more than up to the job, it's not overheated or lost any coolant etc.
22 October 2018, 12:49 PM
#770
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22 October 2018, 01:11 PM
#771
Surely if a company has built an engine it has to last X time at least or else not fit for purpose - if it has gone then isnt that the 2nd issue with the same engine in a small amount of time/miles?
25 October 2018, 04:08 PM
#772
Oh mate, that's gutting.
Sniff tests on Subaru's don't always work. The guy that purchased my Foz (Subaru Mechanic of 16 years) did 4 sniff tests on it which all showed up as clear with no head gasket failure, yet when he ripped it out and stripped it it had most certainly gone.
If it's got black particles in the coolant expansion tank as you say then to me it indicates break up of head gaskets. Absolutely gutting mate.
I'll send you a PM of a place that quoted me to do the head gaskets on my Foz, was very reasonably priced indeed. This shouldn't have happened on a newly built CDB though.
Sniff tests on Subaru's don't always work. The guy that purchased my Foz (Subaru Mechanic of 16 years) did 4 sniff tests on it which all showed up as clear with no head gasket failure, yet when he ripped it out and stripped it it had most certainly gone.
If it's got black particles in the coolant expansion tank as you say then to me it indicates break up of head gaskets. Absolutely gutting mate.
I'll send you a PM of a place that quoted me to do the head gaskets on my Foz, was very reasonably priced indeed. This shouldn't have happened on a newly built CDB though.
25 October 2018, 06:08 PM
#774
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Not yet mate. I'm not 100% sure it is the head gasket yet. It might be something to do with my header tank.
I'm not getting a load of bubbles in the coolant overdlow after boost, just had occasional ones before the fan kicked in but they seem to have gone now.
Today I had the cap on the header tank leaking, literally from the cap top seal. I span the cap back and forth and it stopped.
And my rad hoses are acting really weird. The hoses are too soft, but they build up pressure to what I would consider normal just before the fan kicks in. Then after the fan has done it's thing they're back soft again??? Literally no idea what's going on with it.
I'm not getting a load of bubbles in the coolant overdlow after boost, just had occasional ones before the fan kicked in but they seem to have gone now.
Today I had the cap on the header tank leaking, literally from the cap top seal. I span the cap back and forth and it stopped.
And my rad hoses are acting really weird. The hoses are too soft, but they build up pressure to what I would consider normal just before the fan kicks in. Then after the fan has done it's thing they're back soft again??? Literally no idea what's going on with it.
25 October 2018, 06:49 PM
#775
Not yet mate. I'm not 100% sure it is the head gasket yet. It might be something to do with my header tank.
I'm not getting a load of bubbles in the coolant overdlow after boost, just had occasional ones before the fan kicked in but they seem to have gone now.
Today I had the cap on the header tank leaking, literally from the cap top seal. I span the cap back and forth and it stopped.
And my rad hoses are acting really weird. The hoses are too soft, but they build up pressure to what I would consider normal just before the fan kicks in. Then after the fan has done it's thing they're back soft again??? Literally no idea what's going on with it.
I'm not getting a load of bubbles in the coolant overdlow after boost, just had occasional ones before the fan kicked in but they seem to have gone now.
Today I had the cap on the header tank leaking, literally from the cap top seal. I span the cap back and forth and it stopped.
And my rad hoses are acting really weird. The hoses are too soft, but they build up pressure to what I would consider normal just before the fan kicks in. Then after the fan has done it's thing they're back soft again??? Literally no idea what's going on with it.
25 October 2018, 06:57 PM
#776
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Thread Starter
I might replace the header tank with a new plastic one and do a coolant change. Another place the black paint flakes could be coming from is the header tank lid as it's painted black...
You'd think if it was the head gasket I'd be getting rock solid hoses and it would be pissing bubbles out of the overflow. I'm getting the opposite?? Especially after boosting it. I know I was on the 2.1. If it was blowing compression into the coolant it would pressurise the hoses but I can basically squash the top rad hose together just after the fans have been on.
You'd think if it was the head gasket I'd be getting rock solid hoses and it would be pissing bubbles out of the overflow. I'm getting the opposite?? Especially after boosting it. I know I was on the 2.1. If it was blowing compression into the coolant it would pressurise the hoses but I can basically squash the top rad hose together just after the fans have been on.
25 October 2018, 07:00 PM
#777
I might replace the header tank with a new plastic one and do a coolant change. Another place the black paint flakes could be coming from is the header tank lid as it's painted black...
You'd think if it was the head gasket I'd be getting rock solid hoses and it would be pissing bubbles out of the overflow. I'm getting the opposite?? Especially after boosting it. I know I was on the 2.1. If it was blowing compression into the coolant it would pressurise the hoses but I can basically squash the top rad hose together just after the fans have been on.
You'd think if it was the head gasket I'd be getting rock solid hoses and it would be pissing bubbles out of the overflow. I'm getting the opposite?? Especially after boosting it. I know I was on the 2.1. If it was blowing compression into the coolant it would pressurise the hoses but I can basically squash the top rad hose together just after the fans have been on.
yeah with head gasket failure you would expect solid hoses and lots of bubbles
25 October 2018, 07:03 PM
#778
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The 2.1 overflow rank was like a boiling kettle after boosting. This has literally nothing. Just soft hoses. No overheating etc or anything but something is going on.
25 October 2018, 07:11 PM
#780
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