Any updates?

 

I think the general consensus of opinion on here is that its the bottom end thats gone (Joy!). A couple of people have posted you tube links to noises associated with this failure. My engine was making the same noise as those in the vids so im presuming its the same. The only thing that seems to be different though is everybody else seems to be able to get theres started again whereas mines completely unstartable. I have a good friend who is a respected Engineer so we will start to explore the problem soon when we get enough time inbetween work. I have been given one suggestion and i dont know if you'd know the answer but ive been advised to try and get my hands on a Version 8 STI bottom end / short motor as these are forged and alot stronger? Any suggestions/ comments greatly received

 

The general consenus of opinion isn't a full diagnosis on the failure


Natural presumption is the mother of all ****-ups

Please try my method to get her started it is cheap and cheerfull!!


They maybe better but it if starts and runs good after my method only a top-end re-build will be required

 

I think you'll find that "assumption is the mother of all fukk ups!"

And that: "Ignorance is the mother of presumption".

Just fyi

 

You say Potato

I say pwataytooo!!!

Point taken

 

Sha-Ting!

 

Lets play VT

Ill drive up to prove my point\diagnosis if someone would sponsor my fuel costs!!

 

That stands fo' videooo taaape.

Careful, the OP may take you up on it. Perhaps on a no fix, no fee basis!

 

I would take the plugs out, and try turning it over by hand, with a socket on the front pulley, if it has wiped any bearings, you should see this in the oil as sparkly bits.

If you can turn it over by hand it won’t be seized, if you see any water come out of the spark plug holes this may indicate head gasket.

Also take one of the cam covers off and look if the belt is still in one piece, it’s all worth a check before you pull the engine.

 

@ Scottydog and Eprom;
Gonna follow the advice you have given early next week, Ill post on here and give you the verdict. I just want to say thank you to everyone that is trying to help me and its really cool that there are still decent people around willing to help out!!!

 

Hi there , The first thing i did today was to remove the spark plugs and tried turning the engine over by hand. It would move but with an enormous amount of resistance. I checked the oil which although is slightly 'bronzey' in colour is showing no sparkly bits /metal filings etc. I did get very limited movement on the front pulley and there was no water coming out of the spark plug holes. I also took one of the Cam covers off and the belt is fine. I took a short video of the amount of movement on the front pulley, unfortunatley the sound is atrocious http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQk9L2JpJkE

Any further advice would be greatly received
Cheers, Matt.

 

If it's that tight with the spark plugs removed and the car in neutral its one of two things -

Con-Rod bent

Or big end seized on crankshaft

either way

full engine re-build im afraid

Time for big BHP!!!

 

One last thing to try quickly is to remove the starter and try again moving the engine in both directions

 

Scottydog137 -I concur :-)
As mental as this sounds im actually looking forward to rebuilding it!! Do you have any suggestions for 'Stronger Parts' to rebuild the bottom end with? Someone has suggested a Version 8 bottom end as its forged?

 

I'll give that a go tomorrow, thanks for the advice !

 

TBH I am A HGV technician,

Technical\mechanical diagnostic advice i can give to the best of my knowledge however specific re-build options i cannot give you without certainty!

 

subarus are a pile of **** i`m afraid, know one wants to warn you because they want you to feel the pain - lol, i think 90% of ppl on here have had at least one rebuild some have had many

second hand engines are also a minefield as are rebuilds, go to a reputable person like api , dont buy a cheap bargain cos it will be fcuked.

still even now no-one for sure knows why the big-ends go and its been happening for 15 years even with the newer cars, whether its det, oil pump relief valve, wrong oil change procedure god knows.

good luck with it, ive got the t-shirt aswell