I've recently advertised my 2000 bugeye sti import in a local paper for sale. A car dealer from Newport came round to view it and just by listening to the engine told me that the big end bearings don't have long left in them. The car only has 22k miles on it and hasn't been driven unusually hard for a car of this nature. However until warm it does sound slightly tappy but I've been told thats because the sti uses forged steel pistons unlike the wrx. Its running 10w60w oil. Are there any "tell tell" signs If the big ends are starting to wear? Do you think he might have been pulling my plonker as he offered me £2500 less than asking price?

 

Pulling your plonker

 

Pulling your pud by the sound of it - if it rattles from cold then they are worn.
If he can tell that the big end bearings " don't have long left in them " he must have a good Crystal Ball !!!

 

Thanks. Is there anything you can do if they're worn that does't involve replacing them? If not do I need to sale my wife to get them changed by a specialist? Or is it relitively straight forward and can I just rent her out and get them done my mate who's a mechanic?

 

Once they are worn you will need to replace them and also the crank if the shells have gone too badly ( full engine strip to do it).
Once the engine is stripped, the crank can be measured and plastigauged to see if it can be reused.
A new/uprated oil pump would also be a wise addition.

 

If the big ends had gone it would be a grumble not a tap sound
Oil pressure light would take longer to go out
Drain the oil and see if there are any bits of bearing\shell material in the oil.
I would expect bearings to last at least 50,000 miles even if thrashed

 

Mains grumble.. big ends rattle.

 

my big ends just going and its a heavy taping noise about 2000-3500 rpm

 

A slight tapping noise when cold could be slight piston slap or valve clearances a little too big. none of which are nowhere near as bad as big end failure.
Some people have reported more noise from cold simply by the oil being used, when changed to a different oil all is well.

 

Thanks for all your advice. Gonna change my oil at the weekend and see what that turns up. Any oil best for my model?

 

Jeeez.....cant beleive it..wat a con artist. Dude trust me, big ends are either gone or they are not. If they were you would know about it end of.

 

Secondhand dealer trying to unsettle you which he has clearly done, just to knock the price down.
Your car, like many others may be a bit noisey on start up until everything is warmed through. Drive gently for the first 10-15 minutes and stop worrying about crap from a t*rd.

 

Lots of scoobs are "slappy".

Typical shyster behaviour from a dealer from Newport.

FB (originally from Newport! )

 

i belive the sti has shimed cam buckets wich can sound a bit rattly until warm

 

What oil would you suggest using if this was the case.
It may be a coincidence, but I think mine started tapping when cold after my last oil change.