I think i have caused some serious damage to my wrx's engine after a short period of hard driving. As i slowed down at a roundabout and slowly started to pull away again a noticed a loud clattering noise coming from engine bay. Pulled over immediately and got lifted by the AA. AA guy had one listen and said that noise is coming within the engine and said the words "terminal". AAArrrggg no not my baby.

Any ideas so that i can go to a garage with a bit of knowledge.

Thanks

Sparkster

 

Most likly a big end problem..!! quite common... espicially on STI's... how many miles has your car done e.t.c and what fuel and oil do you run it on...??? any mods..???

Dan

 

Its on old jap import 1993 wrx. Has a supposed 40,000 miles on the clock which is hard to believe. I run it on shell optimax (98ron) only. Had just fitted a K an N air induction kit recently. No other mods.

Extra info - it had been making pinging noises under hard acceleration when i was running on a 97 ron super unleaded. When i changed to 98 ron, the pinging went away.

Had made a a funny clatter type noise on start up a week ago which didnt sound right. I stopped the engine and restarted it and the noise dissapeared so thought nothing of it.

Sparkster

 

Think your oil level was low by the sound of things.

 

checked oil just now. Its bang on

 

Sparkster,

nothing to do with oil levels - the pinging noise on 97 was audible det - audible means very bad!

On 98 it may not have been audible but could well have still been there - with the induction kit making it lean out further increasing in cylinder temps.

My guess is either holed piston or big end or both.

Det is the main cause of these. And yes - it is terminal - you will need another engine or a rebuild. Shame it is an early car as I am selling an engine - but a MY99.

Rannoch

 

Rannoch,

Ouch!! That hurt. Thanks for that. What can i sell!!!!!!!!!!???????

Sparkster

 

If the oil level is fine and it sounding like a tractor it is a big end - almost certainly - and det is a prime cause.

In terms of selling - the shell would be worth quite a bit if it is good nick. For best money try and get another engine and drive on or sell the car whole

Rannoch