Good morning all,

I have a 2008 Impreza WRX hatchback and on the way to work this morning experienced a total loss of drive & loud noises from the engine bay which resulted in being recovered to home. I was on the motorway doing about 65mph as we're were entering into a restricted speed zone when I noticed a "popping" noise, I actually thought it was the clip on my lunchbox popping open, which was followed by a lot of smoke coming from the exhaust. After about 30 seconds there was a lot of noise coming from the engine bay as if metal was grinding on metal and a loss of drive.

It sounds like the symptoms of the dreaded cylinder issue with the 2.5 engines, would you concur?

As an aside, can anybody recommend a garage that do engine rebuilds / forge internals and a rough idea of cost?

All help is appreciated,

Thanks,

8ulldog

 

Total loss of drive doesn't sound like the normal 2.5 ringland failure. Very odd. Have you checked all the boost pipes are still in place? Metal on metal sounds doesn't sound good though. I'm guessing it's a different failure due to the way in lost drive.

Realistically £2.5k for forged build.

Normal suspects: API, Engine Tuner, FB Tuning and more.

 

Check your timing belt.

 

Sounds like when my classic broke, got the old engine in my garage awaiting investigation, It was clicky popping metal grinding noises and no power,no smoking though, I decided it was the bottom end, but can't confirm it yet,

 

Sounds like your turbo may have shat it's self and taken the engine with it.

 

^^^^ I feel inclined to agree.

 

My turbo was fine and is fitted to my new engine no running problems, youl have to just get it checked out by a pro

 

Thanks for the responses guys - much appreciated.

When I say off drive it could be that the turbo was no longer kicking in and that is why it felt that way. The engine now ticks over though with no oil in it, so didn't want to start it again.

Thinking about it now there was a bit of a warm smell last night when parking up, though I assumed someone was having a fire (Happens all the time where I live - countryside).

A close friend has said that it sounds like the turbo also, if so will it likely have damaged anything else on its way out? If I need a new one any recommendations on where to go - possible upgrade?

Thanks,

8ulldog

 

I would check out the intercooler/pipework for any oil and give it a very carefull clean through if there is evidence of turbo failure on the compressor side.
Trev

 

check the timing belt, Had a few of these wrx engines throw the idler bearings out which makes the belt come off and slip the timing.

 

**Update**

I have had it looked at by a mechanic today and he has found the problem behind the oil loss, it seems that the sump bung has come out (Popping noise as it hit the floor / rebounded back onto the car?) causing the oil to be ejected from the engine (Across the hot exhaust to cause the smoke) and leaving an engine devoid of oil. Not sure what damage, if any, has been caused to the engine yet.

Now I had the car serviced last week alongside its MOT, so likely cause is that it was never tightened properly by the garage. This is really annoying. It is going to another garage tomorrow to have an independent mechanic produce a report, so that when I challenge the servicing garage I have facts to back up my challenge and also in case I need to take it to court.

Anybody been in a similar position?

Thanks,

8ulldog

 

cut and dried really sump bung cant pop out
they didnt tighten it correctly at the service

 

Ouch!

 

Ouch

fingers crossed for you mate that it will just be a case of filling it back up and no halm done - you did right though not driving it again since

Can imagine that argument isn't going to be the easiest *******

 

Quote
a lot of smoke coming from the exhaust. After about 30 seconds there was a lot of noise coming from the engine bay as if metal was grinding on metal and a loss of drive.

Doesn't sound like filling it up is gonna cure that
At a guess you will end up in court fighting for a new engine
Even if it did just start up after filling oil up its likely to have done harm to the crank at least

Nothing inside engines like being without oil for long definatley not at motorway speeds

 

+1

 

I had exactly the same thing on my old type R. Garage serviced it the day I picked I up. I drive about 5 miles before it shat all its oil out. Luckily I noticed all the smoke and pulled up sharply. Sump plug lose/now missing.

Luckily it was just a case of refilling and a thorough check over and was ok.

 

After the local engineer had had a good luck at my car he has assessed that the bottom end has gone and that it needs an engine rebuild. The garage are providing me with a hire car (A mighty 80BHP Renault Clio) and have passed on a claim to their insurance company. Asked to provide a quite for the rebuild I contacted Alan Jeffrey today and he has quoted just over £5200, does that sound about right?

8ulldog

 

Get one from API too and compare.

What's been specced for £5200?

 

Get a quote from Steven Darley at SD Motorsport or Alyn at AS Performance

 

I rebuilt a 2.5 last year with a similar problem, the oil pickup had snapped off! It had made a right mess as the engine ran for a while with zero oil pressure, the bottom end was shot along with the heads as the cams had run dry as well.
A forged build from me would be approx £3K

 

New crankshaft £575
Con rods £100
New pistons £448
New engine bearings £138
Genuine Subaru gasket kit with multi layer head gaskets £517
Head stud kit £170.60
Overhaul heads including guides £217
New oil pump £189.95
New modine £242.68
Cam belt £53
Water pump £52
Oils and anti freeze, filters £41.34
Labour £1400

Total £4144.57
vat £828.91
Total £4973.48

As Subaru specialists we are entirely confident in the quality of our work, and will provide a warranty to usual industry standard of 12 months/12,000 miles.

Recovery from Gloucester £250

Grand total therefore £5223.48

I can confirm that we would be able to commence an immediate start, estimate four to six weeks to complete.


The insurance company now want to send out an assessor to look at the car, should be sometime early next week.

8ulldog

 

I've picked myself up a Mazda RX8 231 whilst the WRX is awaiting repair as I could not bear driving the Clio any longer. Seems a nice motor with the interior being far superior and it handles corners fantastically well, however, does not have the pulling power or fun factor of the Impreza.

Get well soon.

8ulldog

 

bought an RX8?!?! out of the frying pan and into the fire with that one!!

 

RX8's are great fun! I've had one and a 400bhp RX7 in my time. The RX8 is a very rewarding car to drive indeed. Can't worry about the engines. Just drive it and have fun!

They go sideways VERY easily with the traction turned off.

 

I had ringland failure on cylinder 3 no noise just car didn't feel powerful had no lights on what's so ever, cost me £5000 all forged engine, I would say turbo.