2008 STI HATCH ENGINE FAILURE
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: England somewhere
ye i noticed that as well tried the link and it s gone... strange by the way new short engine now done 800 miles and still going 57 plate hawk sti type uk with ppp dealer was brilliant cant fault them...
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massive blow to subaru having read some of these experiences. will definately force resale values down. normally a 3 year old subaru was worth over 50% of list price so it will be interesting how it affects resale value. i certainly would,nt buy one unless it was very cheap therefore allowing for an engine rebiuld as and when. surely subaru have resolved this NOW i mean engines coming out today wont expire!!!! so many possible reasons for these engine failures
... companies like engine tuner wont mind as owners flood them with rebuild,s once out of warranty. i remember buying my 04 wrx brand new after a friend of mine said how reliable they are. and i,ve never had anything go wrong other than rear shocks , so not bad for 65,000 miles. so i can say it,s been a great experience owning my subaru. if i were to buy another subaru it would be the diesel however the bmw 320d beats it by miles. so its a shame to see subaru self destruct like this
... companies like engine tuner wont mind as owners flood them with rebuild,s once out of warranty. i remember buying my 04 wrx brand new after a friend of mine said how reliable they are. and i,ve never had anything go wrong other than rear shocks , so not bad for 65,000 miles. so i can say it,s been a great experience owning my subaru. if i were to buy another subaru it would be the diesel however the bmw 320d beats it by miles. so its a shame to see subaru self destruct like this
hi i have been reading the forums regarding the engine problems. i bought a 08 sti with 22000 on the clock from a none subaru dealer in belfast 3 weeks ago they had bought the car from a subaru dealer accross the road from them at trade i thought it was a bit funny that a time a 2008 car being sold to trade between dealers anyway i bought the car and days later found oil on the ground under the car i took it to my locall dealer s&s services in ayr they inspected the car then asked where i got the car as it looked as the engine had been removed and when put back in some of the cables and pipes were not clipped into the correct places anyway the dealer looked into there computer to find out my car has had 1.crankshaft under warrenty then 3 blocks again under warrenty they then said it looked like the inlet manifold gasket needs replaced to sort the oil leak so this was done got the car back and the next day oil on the ground again i took the car back after they had it most of the day theyy said a seal at the cranshaft had gone so the put a new seal on and wanted to keep the car overnight and test run in the morning phoned them again today to see about collecting the car to be told they had now found a cracked pipe with oil coming out that they will have to replace . i phoned subaru uk regarding problems with this car and they were not happy to say the least about me finding out the warrenty work that was done on my car i have asked them to supply documentation on all work done under warrenty but they are refusing to send it this is the first subaru i have owned and is turning out to be the biggest nightmare the good thing is the dealer i bought it from says he had no idea of all the work done and when subaru would not give me a loan vehicle while warrent work is done they send a mercedes over from irland on the ferry for me to use they have also said that any work that needs done not under warrenty they will pay and if i want to return the car to them if im not happy at the outcome or with the issues that these cars are having they will take it back without a problem or cost to me so i think i will be returning to irland with the car at least the selling dealer has been honest and helpfull unlike subaru uk
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From: Enginetuner.co.uk Plymouth Dyno Dynamics RR Engine machining and building EcuTek SimTek mapping
massive blow to subaru having read some of these experiences. will definately force resale values down. normally a 3 year old subaru was worth over 50% of list price so it will be interesting how it affects resale value. i certainly would,nt buy one unless it was very cheap therefore allowing for an engine rebiuld as and when. surely subaru have resolved this NOW i mean engines coming out today wont expire!!!! so many possible reasons for these engine failures... companies like engine tuner wont mind as owners flood them with rebuild,s once out of warranty. i remember buying my 04 wrx brand new after a friend of mine said how reliable they are. and i,ve never had anything go wrong other than rear shocks , so not bad for 65,000 miles. so i can say it,s been a great experience owning my subaru. if i were to buy another subaru it would be the diesel however the bmw 320d beats it by miles. so its a shame to see subaru self destruct like this
... companies like engine tuner wont mind as owners flood them with rebuild,s once out of warranty. i remember buying my 04 wrx brand new after a friend of mine said how reliable they are. and i,ve never had anything go wrong other than rear shocks , so not bad for 65,000 miles. so i can say it,s been a great experience owning my subaru. if i were to buy another subaru it would be the diesel however the bmw 320d beats it by miles. so its a shame to see subaru self destruct like thisWe are convinced that a great many owners would be delighted with thier 08's if they exploited the cars undoubted potential.
I think we all accept this is not great publicity when you are trying to launch a new model. The trouble is they have let this fester for over two years and owners have had enough and are now showing there feelings.
Trying to silence owners with valid problems and concerns is another huge Subaru mistake i fear.
Quite sad really as from what i see, nearly every owner is a previous Subaru customer and they only want the type of service and reliability their previous cars have offered.....nothing more.
Trying to silence owners with valid problems and concerns is another huge Subaru mistake i fear.
Quite sad really as from what i see, nearly every owner is a previous Subaru customer and they only want the type of service and reliability their previous cars have offered.....nothing more.
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: On the edge, man!!
If I was to ever venture into the Subaru brand again it would be an older modded JDM Blobeye. I have loved subarus for years, owned 5, but after the way they have/are treating the new hatch owners I will not be coming back. I bought my Megane RS250 as a substitute, I'm actually loving it more than the STi. Glad i got rid of my hatch when I did. Sorely missed but you cant drive a performance car with the nagging doubt in your mind "will it go this time?" Hatch still best looking IMO.
Lee
Lee
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Joined: Feb 2008
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We drive a 2009 STi 330s. Bought from new thinking that we would not have any worries with how the car had been driven in the past. How wrong can you be? Every time I start the car I worry that today will be the day it goes pop.
Oil gets checked every week and the car is warmed up and cooled down after each journey - it's had an easy life and is not mistreated but can't stop worrying.
I used to drive a rav4 and when Toyota had their recall woes one of my colleagues said to me - bet you're glad you got rid of your toyota then? My reply was - at least they admitted there was a problem and that they dealt with it.
Would I buy another toyota in the future - yes.
Would I buy another Subaru - unlikey.
Last edited by sc00b555; Oct 5, 2010 at 08:52 PM. Reason: dodgy spelling!!
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Clearly Subaru have chosen to deal with this on a case by case basis.
I suspect they can do so with reasonable comfort, as for example, the issue is not primarily a safety concern, such as might be the case with steering , or brake faults.
I am sure it also suits their business from a cost perspective, and the number of cases is unlikely to be of media interest beyond the specialist press.
It all makes good corporate sense, even if they internally accept that there is a genuine product fault.
Not read every post on this thread, but it also seems to be a matter of fact that Subaru are in most cases repairing vehicles, sometimes more than once, where they are covered by the warranty.
It appears also that they have perhaps been less amenable to modified cars, and this would not be unreasonable, although the burden of proof is on Subaru to show a modification has contributed to a failure ( although the burden will be on the owner to enforce this in practice.)
Some owners are worried about potential failure, allow this is not relevant I suspect to the issue in hand. I wouldn't be checking the oil every week on a production car though!
So where is the scope for claim or action? Clearly there might be an argument that the product is not fit for purpose, although the fact that Subaru are repairing vehicles will be water on the flames there.
If you guys are serious then a good lawyer is the only way, but you might need to put some money up to get it going. Not sure there is a great class case here though, but that doesn't preclude individual actions.
As a useful aside, some US Nissan GTR clients brought a class action in respect that the launch control/transmission on the R35 was not fit for purpose; they won a settlement of sorts.
I suspect they can do so with reasonable comfort, as for example, the issue is not primarily a safety concern, such as might be the case with steering , or brake faults.
I am sure it also suits their business from a cost perspective, and the number of cases is unlikely to be of media interest beyond the specialist press.
It all makes good corporate sense, even if they internally accept that there is a genuine product fault.
Not read every post on this thread, but it also seems to be a matter of fact that Subaru are in most cases repairing vehicles, sometimes more than once, where they are covered by the warranty.
It appears also that they have perhaps been less amenable to modified cars, and this would not be unreasonable, although the burden of proof is on Subaru to show a modification has contributed to a failure ( although the burden will be on the owner to enforce this in practice.)
Some owners are worried about potential failure, allow this is not relevant I suspect to the issue in hand. I wouldn't be checking the oil every week on a production car though!
So where is the scope for claim or action? Clearly there might be an argument that the product is not fit for purpose, although the fact that Subaru are repairing vehicles will be water on the flames there.
If you guys are serious then a good lawyer is the only way, but you might need to put some money up to get it going. Not sure there is a great class case here though, but that doesn't preclude individual actions.
As a useful aside, some US Nissan GTR clients brought a class action in respect that the launch control/transmission on the R35 was not fit for purpose; they won a settlement of sorts.
Joined
We drive a 2009 STi 330s. Bought from new thinking that we would not have any worries with how the car had been driven in the past. How wrong can you be? Every time I start the car I worry that today will be the day it goes pop.
Oil gets checked every week and the car is warmed up and cooled down after each journey - it's had an easy life and is not mistreated but can't stop worrying.
I used to drive a rav4 and when Toyota had their recall woes one of my colleagues said to me - bet you're glad you got rid of your toyota then? My reply was - at least they admitted there was a problem and that they dealt with it.
Would I buy another toyota in the future - yes.
Would I buy another Subaru - unlikey.
We drive a 2009 STi 330s. Bought from new thinking that we would not have any worries with how the car had been driven in the past. How wrong can you be? Every time I start the car I worry that today will be the day it goes pop.
Oil gets checked every week and the car is warmed up and cooled down after each journey - it's had an easy life and is not mistreated but can't stop worrying.
I used to drive a rav4 and when Toyota had their recall woes one of my colleagues said to me - bet you're glad you got rid of your toyota then? My reply was - at least they admitted there was a problem and that they dealt with it.
Would I buy another toyota in the future - yes.
Would I buy another Subaru - unlikey.
Immy
370 bhp, 396 lb ft.
Andy DID mention he would not squeeze the last 10+ BHP out of the engine ( as he had done on my classic ) with more timing, alter AFR etc. as that would take away the safety margin if you got cr@ppy fuel one time (i.e. not GOOD 98+ octane )...
AFAIK know off forums etc. no mapped engines have gone pop vs the 20+ std engines ( with original or revised ) ECU maps have ... ( unless mapped to the limit and thrashed, ehh rob! )
Andy F mapped mine ( 330S ) yesterday with CAIK and sports cat downpipe, 11,000 miles on clock ( just over 1 year old ).
370 bhp, 396 lb ft.
Andy DID mention he would not squeeze the last 10+ BHP out of the engine ( as he had done on my classic ) with more timing, alter AFR etc. as that would take away the safety margin if you got cr@ppy fuel one time (i.e. not GOOD 98+ octane )...
AFAIK know off forums etc. no mapped engines have gone pop vs the 20+ std engines ( with original or revised ) ECU maps have ... ( unless mapped to the limit and thrashed, ehh rob! )
370 bhp, 396 lb ft.
Andy DID mention he would not squeeze the last 10+ BHP out of the engine ( as he had done on my classic ) with more timing, alter AFR etc. as that would take away the safety margin if you got cr@ppy fuel one time (i.e. not GOOD 98+ octane )...
AFAIK know off forums etc. no mapped engines have gone pop vs the 20+ std engines ( with original or revised ) ECU maps have ... ( unless mapped to the limit and thrashed, ehh rob! )
Mine has been worked hard and to be fair stood up to it very well, Had it not been for a bit of a carry on with shell I'm sure it would have lasted a touch longer lol.
I had initially planned to pull the motor anyway and forge it but it happened sooner than anticipated. However I will maintain the car has allways been warmed up and cooled down and had the oil and filter changed every 3000 miles with excellent quality oils.
It's going back to Andy on the 20th for a tweek to cope with methanol and some other little bits.
Hi Rob, was teasing you re thrashing the car!
Did mention you to Andy F and your forthcoming visit ( did you get the front mount on yet ?? ). He remembered you / your car, and Yes, he could re-scale my MAF readings for the AEM CAIK much more quickly based on your car's readings - more proving my car responded the same as yours did than doing from scratch so using same settings!
Mapping seemed quite short but was around 2 hours all in including fitting the wideband lambda to completing the power runs and getting back to the docks.
I used to go to S# as I got the car out of the garage so was really looking forward to any / more extra push, perhaps the instant throttle response rather than great leaps in power... and I got that! Much MUCH more response & sparkle when booted in the ** NEW ** S# mode... only a little more boost ( I seemed to have had around 21 - 22 psi on Rev 2 already, at 5000 plus RPM ) but comes in earlier to 1.45 bar from 1.3 bar despite being tapered in from 3000 rpm.
Anyway - press the loud pedal and she goes very well from lower down. Nice and sharp response.
Pretty pleased.
Unfortunately I'll have to sit at these power /torque readings until I build a forged motor ( well have some one do a full job of it for me ) and go for bigger injectors / turbo / fuel pump / headers / head work etc. so will be a while off!
Enjoy!
Neil
Did mention you to Andy F and your forthcoming visit ( did you get the front mount on yet ?? ). He remembered you / your car, and Yes, he could re-scale my MAF readings for the AEM CAIK much more quickly based on your car's readings - more proving my car responded the same as yours did than doing from scratch so using same settings!
Mapping seemed quite short but was around 2 hours all in including fitting the wideband lambda to completing the power runs and getting back to the docks.
I used to go to S# as I got the car out of the garage so was really looking forward to any / more extra push, perhaps the instant throttle response rather than great leaps in power... and I got that! Much MUCH more response & sparkle when booted in the ** NEW ** S# mode... only a little more boost ( I seemed to have had around 21 - 22 psi on Rev 2 already, at 5000 plus RPM ) but comes in earlier to 1.45 bar from 1.3 bar despite being tapered in from 3000 rpm.
Anyway - press the loud pedal and she goes very well from lower down. Nice and sharp response.
Pretty pleased.
Unfortunately I'll have to sit at these power /torque readings until I build a forged motor ( well have some one do a full job of it for me ) and go for bigger injectors / turbo / fuel pump / headers / head work etc. so will be a while off!
Enjoy!
Neil
Nice one I'm glad it went well for you. The drive home is allways the best lol
No Not got the front mount sorted yet. I'm after a stealth Black perrin one from the states still currently waiting on price an availability more than anything just not looking forward to the customs charges.
Just gonna map it as it is for the time being. I've done a couple of things to it this time so should go over the 400 barrier. Ideally waiting for racerom before I do anything else like turbo and intercooler. But it can wait until after xmas now. Just my knock sensor is picking up some activity around 5499rpm so it needs remapped around this, Andy seemed to think it could be the forged pistons making some noise and its resonating through the block we shall see though.
No Not got the front mount sorted yet. I'm after a stealth Black perrin one from the states still currently waiting on price an availability more than anything just not looking forward to the customs charges.
Just gonna map it as it is for the time being. I've done a couple of things to it this time so should go over the 400 barrier. Ideally waiting for racerom before I do anything else like turbo and intercooler. But it can wait until after xmas now. Just my knock sensor is picking up some activity around 5499rpm so it needs remapped around this, Andy seemed to think it could be the forged pistons making some noise and its resonating through the block we shall see though.
Scooby Regular
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,931
Likes: 0
From: CHIPP'N HAM
I was able to stretch my STI's legs for the 1st time ifor a while Saturday night (1am)
Cheltenham to Malmesbury via the old Cirencester road... cracking road the hotter she got, the quicker she went, with more and more smiles per mile than any other Impreza I've owned... with no brake fade & pin point handling it was a dream... external temp was 11 degrees and she was boosting 1.3-1.4 bar (according to the defi's)
Took a little under 30 minutes, usual time is 45...
Cheltenham to Malmesbury via the old Cirencester road... cracking road
the hotter she got, the quicker she went, with more and more smiles per mile than any other Impreza I've owned... with no brake fade & pin point handling it was a dream... external temp was 11 degrees and she was boosting 1.3-1.4 bar (according to the defi's)Took a little under 30 minutes, usual time is 45...
Last edited by scooby L; Oct 11, 2010 at 09:42 AM.
Hi Rob, was teasing you re thrashing the car!
Did mention you to Andy F and your forthcoming visit ( did you get the front mount on yet ?? ). He remembered you / your car, and Yes, he could re-scale my MAF readings for the AEM CAIK much more quickly based on your car's readings - more proving my car responded the same as yours did than doing from scratch so using same settings!
Mapping seemed quite short but was around 2 hours all in including fitting the wideband lambda to completing the power runs and getting back to the docks.
I used to go to S# as I got the car out of the garage so was really looking forward to any / more extra push, perhaps the instant throttle response rather than great leaps in power... and I got that! Much MUCH more response & sparkle when booted in the ** NEW ** S# mode... only a little more boost ( I seemed to have had around 21 - 22 psi on Rev 2 already, at 5000 plus RPM ) but comes in earlier to 1.45 bar from 1.3 bar despite being tapered in from 3000 rpm.
Anyway - press the loud pedal and she goes very well from lower down. Nice and sharp response.
Pretty pleased.
Unfortunately I'll have to sit at these power /torque readings until I build a forged motor ( well have some one do a full job of it for me ) and go for bigger injectors / turbo / fuel pump / headers / head work etc. so will be a while off!
Enjoy!
Neil
Did mention you to Andy F and your forthcoming visit ( did you get the front mount on yet ?? ). He remembered you / your car, and Yes, he could re-scale my MAF readings for the AEM CAIK much more quickly based on your car's readings - more proving my car responded the same as yours did than doing from scratch so using same settings!
Mapping seemed quite short but was around 2 hours all in including fitting the wideband lambda to completing the power runs and getting back to the docks.
I used to go to S# as I got the car out of the garage so was really looking forward to any / more extra push, perhaps the instant throttle response rather than great leaps in power... and I got that! Much MUCH more response & sparkle when booted in the ** NEW ** S# mode... only a little more boost ( I seemed to have had around 21 - 22 psi on Rev 2 already, at 5000 plus RPM ) but comes in earlier to 1.45 bar from 1.3 bar despite being tapered in from 3000 rpm.
Anyway - press the loud pedal and she goes very well from lower down. Nice and sharp response.
Pretty pleased.
Unfortunately I'll have to sit at these power /torque readings until I build a forged motor ( well have some one do a full job of it for me ) and go for bigger injectors / turbo / fuel pump / headers / head work etc. so will be a while off!
Enjoy!
Neil
I'd love to get my 330S remapped by Andy - but fear puts me off.
Not because of Andy's work, but I.M (Andy remapped my last MY05 STI)
What did you get a power graph from Andy?
If so, anychance I might see it please
Cheers
Shaun
Scooby Regular
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,897
Likes: 4
From: Newmarket Suffolk
hi i have been reading the forums regarding the engine problems. i bought a 08 sti with 22000 on the clock from a none subaru dealer in belfast 3 weeks ago they had bought the car from a subaru dealer accross the road from them at trade i thought it was a bit funny that a time a 2008 car being sold to trade between dealers anyway i bought the car and days later found oil on the ground under the car i took it to my locall dealer s&s services in ayr they inspected the car then asked where i got the car as it looked as the engine had been removed and when put back in some of the cables and pipes were not clipped into the correct places anyway the dealer looked into there computer to find out my car has had 1.crankshaft under warrenty then 3 blocks again under warrenty they then said it looked like the inlet manifold gasket needs replaced to sort the oil leak so this was done got the car back and the next day oil on the ground again i took the car back after they had it most of the day theyy said a seal at the cranshaft had gone so the put a new seal on and wanted to keep the car overnight and test run in the morning phoned them again today to see about collecting the car to be told they had now found a cracked pipe with oil coming out that they will have to replace . i phoned subaru uk regarding problems with this car and they were not happy to say the least about me finding out the warrenty work that was done on my car i have asked them to supply documentation on all work done under warrenty but they are refusing to send it this is the first subaru i have owned and is turning out to be the biggest nightmare the good thing is the dealer i bought it from says he had no idea of all the work done and when subaru would not give me a loan vehicle while warrent work is done they send a mercedes over from irland on the ferry for me to use they have also said that any work that needs done not under warrenty they will pay and if i want to return the car to them if im not happy at the outcome or with the issues that these cars are having they will take it back without a problem or cost to me so i think i will be returning to irland with the car at least the selling dealer has been honest and helpfull unlike subaru uk
For your interest, and for future reference, you will find the <,> and <.> keys in between the M and ? keys on your keyboard
I have my rev alarm set to 5000 rpm so i change as I hear it
I dont drive it hard, I respect it
I check the oil regularly, using only the oil that was supplied with the car Mobil 1 I think it is.
I have never, and will never, track this car or any car I own
The car is completely standard engine wise
so with all this in mind, I should have hassle free driving from now on
I dont drive it hard, I respect it
I check the oil regularly, using only the oil that was supplied with the car Mobil 1 I think it is.
I have never, and will never, track this car or any car I own
The car is completely standard engine wise
so with all this in mind, I should have hassle free driving from now on
you are Mark
Scooby Regular
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,069
Likes: 10
From: Leeds
Need a question answering from somebody whos engine blowed.
have you constantly redlined it to the Limiter ? or are you changing before this ?
When i say constantly i mean everytime u bez about, is its to the Limit ?
OR has anybodys engine gone from driving miss daisy use, IE with the ODD bez at the lights junctions but never hitting that Limiter.
have you constantly redlined it to the Limiter ? or are you changing before this ?
When i say constantly i mean everytime u bez about, is its to the Limit ?
OR has anybodys engine gone from driving miss daisy use, IE with the ODD bez at the lights junctions but never hitting that Limiter.
Scooby Regular
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,931
Likes: 0
From: CHIPP'N HAM
maybe Mike,
I get some comfort I've had the mapping 100% sorted for my engine.
If I get ringland failure now, I know it's not DET or a dodgy 2008 map that's caused it.
And it's currently flying with no oil usage at all
I get some comfort I've had the mapping 100% sorted for my engine.
If I get ringland failure now, I know it's not DET or a dodgy 2008 map that's caused it.
And it's currently flying with no oil usage at all
Scooby Regular
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Edinburgh
Got a 2008 STI and have left it standard. Was contact by my dealer to have ECU patch applied in 2008.
Have always run on super unleaded, usually Shell V-Power
Set my rev alarm to 6200.
Rarely if ever redline as the power trails off after 6000 rpm anyway.
47k trouble free miles.
Have always run on super unleaded, usually Shell V-Power
Set my rev alarm to 6200.
Rarely if ever redline as the power trails off after 6000 rpm anyway.
47k trouble free miles.
Got a 2008 STI and have left it standard. Was contact by my dealer to have ECU patch applied in 2008.
Have always run on super unleaded, usually Shell V-Power
Set my rev alarm to 6200.
Rarely if ever redline as the power trails off after 6000 rpm anyway.
47k trouble free miles.
Have always run on super unleaded, usually Shell V-Power
Set my rev alarm to 6200.
Rarely if ever redline as the power trails off after 6000 rpm anyway.
47k trouble free miles.
Anybody beat 47,000 miles ???
Scooby Regular
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,931
Likes: 0
From: CHIPP'N HAM
The 2.5 delivers so much punch between 3-5k there is no point going that extra 1500... better to change up.
Last edited by scooby L; Oct 14, 2010 at 09:12 AM.
