kpnuts

I have just bought a V3 wrx STi privately 53k with a good service history, I test drove the car for about fifteen minutes no problems, on my way home after about half an hour the engine started to make a ratteling noise when not under load, sounds bad, goes away when acclerating or decelarating, I was driving harder that when I test drove the car but not going mad using about 7500 revs the noise appears to be coming from the back of the engine near the middle,listening with the bonet up and bliping the throttle. The oil light goes out as soon as the engine starts. One thing I did notice at about the same time the Catalyst heat light kept coming on but this was after the engine noise had happened. I am gutted took ages to save up for the car and now looks as if engines gone,
would like advice on best option ,have my engine rebuilt or get a second hand/recon unit, where would I go for either? all help advice much appreciated, Scooby owner for four hours

scoobtech

ok......calm down......it might be just a heat sheild......its a common 1 for putting the sh**ts up scoobnoobz .....i pressume its rattling on idle ??.....if so ....get a large screwdriver and put alot of pressure onto the heatsheild around your turbo .....then do the same on the heatsheild around the 1st cat (bolts onto turbo) ......if your rattle gets alot quiter thats what it is.........also check the 2 brackets that hold the intercooler ..........also whilst idle , depress the clutch .....does the noise go away ?....if it does thats the release bearing ...........check that your starter motor is completly secure aswell ....(back 2 the right) .....

scott

Roojai

Hope it's not serious....might not be...could be heat shields - very common problem and a good possibility
Also could be loose wastegate???

Don't know about the cat warning light - this means cat on fire does it not, ie serious overheating. Don't know what would cause that. If you sort out the cause you probably want to get a decat pipe anyway so no cash lost there if it's buggered.

Roojai

scoobtech beat me to it

kpnuts

Cheers will try suggestions and report back

Roojai

check the up-pipe and manifold as these are the most likely sources. Jack up the front on the car and look at them from underneath.

scoobtech

got 2 b fast or ur last !

another possibility is that 1 of the cats have collapsed inside .....when these go they really sound like the bottom end has shot it .......to check you have to hit the side (when cold) with your hand or rubber mallet ....you should`nt hear anything loose/rattling...........the up cat is a pig to check (no room)

kpnuts

Thanks for suggestions, Is there anyone in the bedford area who knows a bit about these cars who would have a listen to the noise for me as I know Zilch about engines and mechanical bits, I would be happy to pay petrol money etc, Cheers

911

You are almost on the doorstep of the best guy!
All of the above ideas are well founded. Keep it simple at first.
Tomorrow call David at www.apiengines.co.uk they are based close to Leamington Spa.
Drive the car to him and get it checked there. He will not rip you off.

If it is a washer gone or a rebuild he will give sound safe advice. Ask anyone who has used him on here.

Good luck, and let us know the findings, always useful.

The car will be GREAT when it's done. (I've an Sti too)
911

kpnuts

started up this morning noise appeared not to be there Took it gently for a while after about ten minuets sarted to hear clattering noise and headed home noticed at the same time cat overheat light coming on and off, Then noise got really loud so loud you could not speak to each other in the car, engine also atarted cutting out on tick over, stopped got towed home The car starts now but noise is horendus and there all the time a loud clatter the strange thing is the engine ticks over smoothly and the oil light goes out as soon as it starts the oil and water are on levels and not contaminated , I am now completely confused has this happened to any one else?

tweenierob

If the noise is THAT loud i can assure you it is not a heatshield!!

Purely for Info the Jap classics have one cat, no classics have a Cat in the up pipe.

If you do not get any help drop me a mail on rob@tweenierob.co.uk, i will come over if you cover my fuel.

Rob

David at www.apiengines.co.uk is very well regarded on here..

xiw2155

if its still got the cat in it, has that broke down and rattling, perfect excuse for a decat mate! this could cause the cat light to come on. if thats knackered

xiw2155

check the turbo heatshield aswell as that rattled on mine, took it off now no rattle

rolyatescort

I have a '94 JDM WRX and i can assure you it has 2 cats.

Houghton

iTrader: (1)

STi 3 has has a cat in the downpipe only. I live near Bedford and will try to help, but not too technical (PM me if you like).

As the others have said, David at API is a genuine bloke and very knowledgeable. Takes me just over the hour to get to his place but that's with a car that runs OK, of course Happy to help, if I can.

Dark Blue Mark

Hope they towed it on all 4 wheels

Any smoke from the exhaust? Oil level stayed ok?

MB

Dark Blue Mark

PS, surely you can put it on the drive with the bonnet up and identify if its the engine or not? If you need revs, just pull on the throttle body.

MB

xiw2155

classics have two cats, one underneath and one in the downpipe! for sure because i have a jdm ra and it had 2 hasnt now! (Y)

TonyFlow

My STi 5 Type R only had 1 cat in the downpipe.

Would get it checked over - if not, could you take a sound sample and post it on here, may help people diagnose (different people describe noises in different ways!)

If it is as loud as you say, I wouldn't drive the car (or start it) until someone in "the know" has looked!

jjones

what fuel have you been running it on?

had you tried a top speed test?

Roojai

A lot of the early classics have a resonator box in the middle of the exhaust under the car, it is not a cat,although it does look like one

xiw2155

it doesnt matter what fuel hes been running it on. super unleaded or optimax if safest if jap import, unleaded or super on a uk

TonyFlow

If a hammering on the inside of the engine, it could be a big-end bearing on its way out (has the oil just been changed?) As said before, I wouldn't drive it until you can get it checked by a specialist

Dark Blue Mark

XIW - so the detonation I encounter when I only use SUL on my STi is ok?

Fuelling is quite critical...

MB

kpnuts

Thanks for all the advice have been away for a few days and just read the thread, It looks like the big ends have failed I am going to get it sorted out by API in a few weeks, Had not done oil change but previous owner had just had it serviced so it would have been done then I think, thanks again

dj219957

really sorry to hear that mate - mines at api at the mo. Prepare to wait - i have about 6-8 weeks. I seem to hear so many engines going bang at the mo.
Knocklinks are a must. Wonder how many have been due to bad fuel i.e put optimax in but was **** quality

Andy

Dark Blue Mark

I personally think Optimax quality is quite consistent. Its other SUL's that aren't up to its performance... Although there is a rumour its shelf life is limited....

MB

Houghton

iTrader: (1)

Had my car back about four weeks now after an API build. Done just over 2.5K miles and it's running sweet as a nut (Andy F re-map too ).

You're in good hands with API, Nathan does a really good job of re-fitting the engines back in. The nice little finishing touches and attention to detail I noticed, would indicate they don't rush the job and take pride in the result. BTW comes back clean too