Jacey Boy

Shocking

mikepaul

I was told by the dealer the issue was cured in late 2009 cars and my car had the latest map before it was delivered to me.

No issues yet, but only done 580miles in two months and still enjoying the car regardless (so much fun to drive).

I know BMW have bought some cars back from customers due to pending legal action so I hope Subaru will fix these issues before their image is tarnished beyond rapair!

Ford Focus RS seems problem free from the forums, engine is completed by the angel gods of Northampton "Cosworth". So I expect new Subaru's to be bullet proof likewise.

Anyone know why the new 2.5l hatchback is more prone to failure, I would have throught the engine would have been strengthened to handle 300bhp. I know the japanese like to work behind the curtains and fix a problem without publicising widely, they like to quietly fix a problem then make some recalls without generating fuss.

nullfork

I was under the assumption that the 330s Prodrive map have fixed the rev limit fuel cut and other transitional fuelling problems..

This is disgraceful, surely pointing to mechanical issues...

Mog

Still has chocolate pistons though, interestingly Subaru have altered the 2.5l short block if a new one is ordered. I know because one has just been fitted in my FSTi although with my choice of Cosworth pistons etc.

Mog

Alan Jeffery

It's about ignition strategy, and the tendency of the stock ECU to ramp it up aggressively. We spent a lot of time a decent while ago on one of these in particular and to start with, didn't believe what we were seeing.
As far as we are concerned the fix is to fit forged pistons and re map it. No more bother after that, and the car is a peach when it's sorted. If anyone decides they don't want theirs, just park it up, and I'll fetch it thanks very much.

And another thing, if you think Subaru are bad for warranty claims, don't buy a Nissan!!

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

The WRX problem is very big in the US.

2009 WRX engine failure VIN/build date owner list - NASIOC

gtisid

iTrader: (2)

I have read some of this thread , but not all. Can anyone confirm if it iis just sti,s in the new shape or does it go back to the first 2.5s in the hawkeye 07 wrx? I have a gb270 which essentialy has a lot of sti bits on it in the PPP kit but i have not had a recall of any sorts from subaru so i am assuming it is just the sti maps that are at fault.
any body ?

rob84

iTrader: (5)

If i recall correctly there has been a few isolated cases on the hawkeye of piston failure, They seemed to be more prone the headgasket & thermostat issues. from what i know its the map in hatchback thats causing the problems with the engines going bang.

Apostle

Went on a 100 mile round trip today to Horsham and back.

Thought that the car seemed to have lost a little of its power (we were 3 up, so i thought maybe its the weight).

Coming home engine seemed to miss once or twice, and then hesitant to pick up from the lights once or twice. Coming home the last mile or so it 'was' running a little rough.

Also noticed a slight tapperty sound from the front nearside corner but not all the time (thought maybe loose trim due to a few scrapes earlier on the sti lip).

Just ran to shop and back to see if its the same and its worse...

Done 15,000 miles. Did oil change / service at 9000 - used some expensive fully synthetic stuff.

Now I'm very concerned..

Plan of action should be what ?

Ring local dealer and ask if they will pick up car and check it over.

Or can someone give me a name and number of someone at IM who will deal with it for me.

Any one know of a good dealership who have done a few of these - I'm SE London / Kent borders.

If its problems can I insist on a short block and not some botched partial piston no.3 repair.

All advice very welcome.

Please PM or sms me your number if I can call tomorrow pm for some private advice / wisdom from above.

Thanks very much guys (and possibly girls, but probably not eh..)

Apostle 07944 068575

rob84

iTrader: (5)

Sounds very much like the age old problem of ringland failure to me, has it been using any oil of late or not ??

usually some say take the filler cap off while its running if it blowing quite badly and there is evidense of white smoke coming from there then its suffering blow by which means the piston is definatly shot.

depending on the damage inside the engine depends on what action of repair is taken. if its scored the bore then chances are it will be a new short block assy. if its just a piston thats damaged they will replace that.

aamtheman

Mine is an 06, but it also started off with a tappetty noise, which developed into marbles in the engine type sound and thats when I stopped driving it. Luckily it was under warranty so they recovered it and took it to my nearest Subaru dealer, who changed everything that came into contact with the oil. New short block, turbo, heads, etc. That was when the car had just 9,000 miles on the clock. Now its got 17,000 on the clock and its been running sweet ever since.

ARRON BIRD

Hi folks
picked car up Sat morning and done 200 miles so far all on M1 to Derby and back not gone over3000 revs car seems much quieter can't see if the hesitation hasgone till I give it a little more welly not yetbut so far so good

Apostle

Thanks Rob... I will have a look tomorrow when its light.

Anyone else please....

Need some good advice PLEASE....
Went on a 100 mile round trip today to Horsham and back.

Thought that the car seemed to have lost a little of its power (we were 3 up, so i thought maybe its the weight).

Coming home engine seemed to miss once or twice, and then hesitant to pick up from the lights once or twice. Coming home the last mile or so it 'was' running a little rough.

Also noticed a slight tapperty sound from the front nearside corner but not all the time (thought maybe loose trim due to a few scrapes earlier on the sti lip).

Just ran to shop and back to see if its the same and its worse...

Done 15,000 miles. Did oil change / service at 9000 - used some expensive fully synthetic stuff.

Now I'm very concerned..

Plan of action should be what ?

Ring local dealer and ask if they will pick up car and check it over.

Or can someone give me a name and number of someone at IM who will deal with it for me.

Any one know of a good dealership who have done a few of these - I'm SE London / Kent borders.

If its problems can I insist on a short block and not some botched partial piston no.3 repair.

All advice very welcome.

Please PM or sms me your number if I can call tomorrow pm for some private advice / wisdom from above.

Thanks very much guys (and possibly girls, but probably not eh..)

Apostle 07944 068575

ARRON BIRD

Sounds like a trip to your dealer mate.
What car is it??
I think most bigger dealers will have experience of this fault
Good luck

Paul666

When mine went it gave no warning it just went flat, when I say flat I mean a lot slower than the kids 1.0 Corsa and I felt that I could not risk turning right with oncoming traffic in case it gave up the ghost mid turn leaving me in the middle of the road. The dealer fitted a new short block without issue.

Apostle

Another 08 Sti Aaron....

I guess they will all blow eventually .....

rob84

iTrader: (5)

i hope not 21,454 miles and counting must get an award for longest lasting 2.5 in a hatch not running standard power

Paul666

Mine was one of the first in the UK to go pop. The reflash was only just out when mine let go. Had the reflash then got a deal on the PPP and not had a problem in the last 17 months.

Potiriadis

I got my STi pro-drived the day they came out. I had a recurrent problem with the ECU, where in Sport Sharp it would revert to safe mode due to "overboost" on the turbo (according to the dealer and pro-drive). After two replacements failed to cure the problem pro-drive apparently built a map for my car based on what....... and the problem has never returned.

jpscoobster

Had my 2.5 sti 08 for 14 months now not had any trouble hope I never do touchwood,should I get in touch with my local scooby dealer and ask for a remap?

mickp

iTrader: (1)

No problems with mine either. Purchased late March 2008. Had PPP fitted last year, doesn't use any oil and runs like a dream.

Alan Jeffery

We have two in right now replacing pistons and another one on the way.

urban

iTrader: (1)

Sad state of affairs really

scooby L

Can we summerise this thread a little?

Those who have had ringland failure (or similar) with their 2.5L STI's..

a: what fuel make did they mostly use?
b: any mods? (inc PPP)
c: type of motoring (ie everyday commuting or weekend plaything) plus average distance per trip?
d: type of road.. percentage of motorway use/A roads/B roads etc.
e: Oil used, were they using fully synthetic?
f: Intelligent Mode mostly used (i, s or s#)

maybe we can start to see a pattern?

I'm not soft on my STI at all..and (touch wood) it's been fine... It'll be nice to pin down what's triggering some to blow, and others to be happy running massivly more than standard power.

JohnD

iTrader: (5)

Got a feeling the top of the don't list, for many people, would be 'buy one'
As much as I love my scoob (03 STi) this will be the last Subaru I own. My model seems to be the last of the line with acceptable mechanical integrity!

JohnD

Alan Jeffery

Being fair, all of these are intending to move on power wise, and like I said, once you sort them out, the car is a gem.
At least it isn't a Toyota!

scooby L

Just out of interest Alan.

What's the going rate to replace the OEM pistons with forged jobbies.

renny

iTrader: (2)

+2 - purely out of interest of course

Alan Jeffery

We say £2200 is bare minimum for forged pistons. Of course, it's easy to make a case out for upgrading other components while you're at it!

BTW, we bore to the first oversize, and hone to fit. "Drop in pistons" aren't the option we favour.

John Hughes

If your going to see any pattern, you'll have to compare against STi's with no problems.
2.5L 08WRX STi Type UK picked up 1st March 08, zero miles on clock. No mechanical problems experienced at all. Had engine management re-flash early (compared to some on this site), on garage call-back (Ian Grieve, Falkirk).

a. Tesco 99
b. No mechanical mods – only aesthetic, rear lights etc.
c. Every day use. Mostly short journeys, less than 20 miles.
d. 75% A, 20% M, 5% B
e. Shell Helix fully synthetic.
f. S#. Gets a fair bit of stick. Have set rev/limit alarms slightly lower.

It will be interesting to see what numbers come back.